We are navigating through a series of festivals every weekend these days. After Ugadi and Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti came upon us this weekend. April 12th is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti, predominantly in north India. According to telugu calendar, Hanuman Jayanti is observed on May 22nd this year. There is the ambiguity every year where Indians are divided in observing this Hindu festival where few observe in April and few other in May. Nonetheless, we observe Hanuman Jayanti on May 22nd. It has been a tradition for me to chant Hanuman chalisa 108 times on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti to invoke the blessings of my name equivalent God or the God after whom I was named. In this day and age, it is very important to pray and get the blessings of Lord Hanuman for we never knew how unbearable, unstable and uncertain things can get and to pull them back within safe limits. I had observed the festival even in U.S. over the last three years where I chanted the prayer 108 times. We should definitely need to invoke the blessings of the most powerful Lord ever known to give strength, courage and safety in these difficult times. As long as we tread the path of dharma, the prayers will be answered by the gods and festivals bear a lot of meaning to celebrate. But once the mistakes outnumber the good deeds and we are on wrong path, no amount of worship will suffice. Hence it is important to walk on the correct good path, lead exemplary lives and seek good, positive environment for one and all. We cannot do misdeeds or walk on wrong path on one hand and pray on the other hand for it will be futile. Nevertheless, let us wish our prayers will be answered to lead us into correct path and cast brighter days upon us.
April 12th, 2025, marks Hanuman Jayanti, also known as Hanuman Janmotsav, which celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Jayanti is a profound celebration deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and cultural tradition. Observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Chaitra month, this festive occasion marks the divine birth of Lord Hanuman, revered as the epitome of strength, courage, and unwavering devotion. Born to Anjana and Kesari, and blessed by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman’s arrival symbolizes the intervention of divine energy meant to inspire humanity and help overcome life’s adversities. The backdrop of this festival is interwoven with the rich tapestry of the Ramayana, India’s ancient epic and the one we are studying that recounts the noble deeds of Lord Rama and his steadfast devotee, Hanuman. Recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa and sections from the Sundar Kand fill the air with praises of Hanuman’s virtues, his feats being vocalized through melodious chants that echo in every corner on this day. At its core, Hanuman Jayanti is more than a religious observance; it is a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to rise above adversity through faith and dedication.
Going back to the story, we had seen that Shatrughna was installed as King to fight Lavana. During a tense gathering with ascetics in Rama’s presence, the sages recounted the gruesome deeds of Lavana, a demon terrorizing the forest of Madhu by slaughtering animals and ascetics alike. Troubled by their accounts, Rama vowed to vanquish the monstrous foe. When he asked which brother would undertake the mission, Bharata volunteered; however, the humble Shatrughna argued that Bharata deserved respite after his trials during Rama’s exile. Acknowledging his younger brother’s unwavering devotion, Rama appointed Shatrughna to defeat Lavana and rule over Madhu, emphasizing that justice required a wise ruler even after a tyrant’s fall. Before Shatrughna departed, Rama arranged a consecration ceremony and gifted him a divine arrow forged by Brahma, instructing him to ambush Lavana when unarmed. Shatrughna accepted his duty with humility, determined to restore dharma and bring justice to the land. We can look at the following to see how Shatrughna prepares for the battle.
In chapter 64, Shatrughna sets out to meet Lavana.
After offering guidance and encouragement to Shatrughna, the noble scion of the House of Raghu, Lord Rama continued his detailed instructions with thoughtful care. Understanding the gravity of the mission to defeat the demon Lavana, Rama made full preparations for Shatrughna’s success. He granted him a formidable force consisting of four thousand horses, two thousand chariots, and a hundred specially chosen elephants. In addition, Rama provided abundant provisions, stalls, singers, dancers, and generous amounts of gold and silver to support the journey and ensure the morale of the army remained high.
Rama emphasized the importance of maintaining a contented and loyal army, stating that in the absence of wealth, women, or familial bonds, true loyalty among servants and soldiers could not be sustained. Through kind words and generous gifts, Shatrughna was to keep his forces cheerful, disciplined, and motivated. Rama warned him to proceed with caution, advising that secrecy was essential to success. Lavana, son of Madhu, was a fearsome demon who could only be defeated by surprise; any direct, announced confrontation would end in certain defeat. Thus, Rama instructed Shatrughna to approach the Madhu forest undetected.
Rama judged the timing ideal: the heat of summer was waning, and the rainy season was near—a favorable moment for military movement. He instructed Shatrughna to dispatch the army, led by great Rishis, ahead toward the river Jahnavi to make use of the remaining dry season for safe crossing. Meanwhile, Shatrughna, swift and strategic, was to go ahead with his bow, and carefully prepare the camps at a spot previously designated, ensuring no discomfort for the marching army.
After these commands, Shatrughna reverently circled Rama, bowed with humility, and paid respect to his brothers Bharata and Lakshmana, as well as to the revered family priest, Vasishtha. With Rama’s blessings and permission, Shatrughna, now fully equipped and spiritually prepared, departed on his mission. The brave warrior organized his massive army of elephants, horses, and chariots, and led them forward toward Madhuvana, determined to fulfill his duty and destroy the tyrannical Lavana.
In chapter 65, the story of Saudasa who is cursed by the sage Vasishtha is detailed.
As Shatrughna led his army on a month-long march, he eventually commanded them to halt and proceeded alone on foot with great speed. Two days later, he arrived at the sacred hermitage of Sage Valmiki. Humbly approaching the renowned Rishi with folded hands, Shatrughna asked for permission to stay the night, stating that he would continue westward at dawn to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by his elder brother, Lord Rama.
Valmiki warmly welcomed the prince, reminding him that the hermitage was also a legacy of the Raghu dynasty, to which Shatrughna belonged. With great affection, the sage offered him a seat and water for refreshment, treating him with hospitality and reverence. Shatrughna accepted the fruits and roots offered to him and, once satisfied, posed a question to the sage. He inquired about the fertile land located east of the hermitage, noting its sacrificial nature and seeming spiritual significance.
Valmiki then shared a remarkable story tied to Shatrughna’s own lineage. The land once belonged to King Saudasa, an ancestor of Shatrughna, also known as Mitrasaha. During a hunting expedition, Saudasa encountered two Rakshasas in the form of tigers devouring countless antelopes. Outraged at their destruction, he killed one of them with a long spear. The surviving Rakshasa, grief-stricken and vengeful, cursed the king, promising retribution in the future before vanishing.
Later, Saudasa's son, Mitrasaha, became king and performed a grand Ashvamedha sacrifice near Valmiki’s hermitage, with Sage Vasishtha officiating. This splendid sacrifice continued for several years and gained the admiration of gods and men alike. However, the surviving Rakshasa returned, bent on revenge. Disguised as Vasishtha, he approached the king and demanded a flesh-based meal at the sacrifice’s conclusion.
Unaware of the trickery, King Saudasa ordered his cooks to prepare an elaborate flesh dish. But the Rakshasa, having assumed the form of a cook, personally prepared a dish of human flesh and presented it to the king, who in turn offered it to Vasishtha. The sage, immediately realizing the nature of the offering, was furious and cursed the king to become a cannibal who would henceforth feed on human flesh.
As Saudasa prepared to retaliate with a curse of his own, his wife, Queen Madayanti, intervened and advised against cursing a brahmin, reminding him of the priest's divine status. Saudasa heeded her words, but as he poured out the water meant for the curse, it accidentally spilled on his feet, staining them. From that time onward, he became known as Kalmashapada, or "One with Spotted Feet."
Repentant, the king and queen prostrated before Vasishtha and explained the deception caused by the Rakshasa. The sage, though unable to retract the curse, softened its effect by granting a boon that Saudasa would be freed from it in twelve years and forget the incident thereafter. In time, Saudasa regained his kingdom and ruled justly once more.
Thus, Valmiki concluded the tale, explaining that the land Shatrughna had asked about was the site of this legendary sacrifice by King Kalmashapada. Listening respectfully, Shatrughna bowed to the sage and retired to the thatched hut to rest before resuming his journey.
This concludes chapters 64 and 65 where we had seen Shatrughna preparing for the battle with the support from Rama and reaching Valmiki’s hermitage on the way. Valimiki gives an account of king Saudasa from Shatrughna’s ancestry who ruled at the site of hermitage. Saudasa stains his feet and becomes known as Kalmashapada when the water meant for cursing fell on his feet. Shatrughna retires for the night after the tale was narrated by Valmiki in his hermitage. It is to be noted that Sita was also left in the same abode by Lakshmana at the direction of Rama. The very night Shatrughna retired to rest after arriving, Sita gives birth to twins – Lava and Kusha which can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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