Hanuman & His Eternal Form - A Perspective

A friend read somewhere that in Hindu mythology Hanuman is among a handful of chiranjeevis (immortals) and is till amongst us whereas even Rama and Krishna had to give up their mortal forms. He found it immensely interesting and enquired who the other chiranjeevis in Hindu mythology are? Further, he wished to know how Hanuman became immortal?

The query brought forth the following from within me:

"CHIRANJEEV" means blessed with eternal life. Most people cannot think of life without form. Hence to them CHIRANJEEVI would refer to someone whao has attained eternal body, defying death and decay. If this has happened, surely it would be a very special achievement, reserved only for just a handful, Rama and Krishna excluded.

"Frankly, my knowledge in matters of mythology is very limited. I must also admit, I have no information in this particular matter concerning immortality of the physical form of Hanuman. Hence, I am afraid I have no resource to dig into and cannot provide a worthwhile answer.

“Also, I am intrigued by the fact that in India in common parlance “CHIRANJEEV” is not used exactly for what it means. Many a time we affectionately to someone's son as "Your Chiranjeev".

“But, I think I can provide a spiritual perspective on what is mortal and what is not.

"Rama and Krishna were Gods incarnate. One was Maryada Purushottam (bound by discipline) and the other Leela Purushottam (his life being no different from his leela or play). Yet, after having attained the human form, they lived like ordinary humans and followed the rules of life. In my view, it was just to set an example to the multitudes of this world.

"Being God incarnate, both were omniscient. Yet, both went to enlightened Masters (Vashishtha and Sandipani) to be initiated by them. One not only went through dispossession and banishment but had to fight Ravana to rescue his wife, ostensibly to establish dharma. Yet, he discarded the same wife due to social pressure. Krishna could have destroyed the sons of Dhritrashtra by his intention. Yet, he chose to be the charioteer for his beloved friend and disciple, Arjuna (which essentially means love). Both Rama and Krishna chose to give up their mortal bodies. This is a great example to show that the mortal is subject to the laws of nature and these shall prevail. Is it not?

"Hanuman, on the other hand, is known for extraordinary daring and unimaginable feats, from the beginning. As a child he almost gobbled up the sun. He brought an entire mountain to Rama so that the herb (Sanjeevani Booty) required to resuscitate Lakshman could be found. He had the intelligence and the strength to challenge and destroy Ravana's army in their own backyard. At the same time, he was a great Gnani (Wisdom personified). He had no attachments. He was a model of surrender and devotion to his Master Rama and his cause. These things provide great insights as to how one should negotiate through life. Let’s accept and be content with that. Perhaps, in mythology, there did not arise any occasion for him to give up the mortal body. Who knows, may be when he chose to give up the body it did not make a good story and therefore the scriptures chose to remain silent about it.

"According to me this inquiry about who gave up the mortal body and who did not is needless. Gods and Goddesses (Hanuman included) represent forces that come from the same subtle substratum of existence.

“The knowledge about the power they represent is inherent in each one’s name as derived from the Sanskrit roots. Rama is RAMATE and denotes the eternal principle that pervades everything. Krishna is KRI and represents the subtle force of action, motivating the mind, the senses and the limbs. Hanuman (derived from the root HAN) represents the power of control over the senses and the mind. If one were to take refuge in any of these qualities or powers, he will reach the goal of life. Focussing on the deity through contemplation (for the Gnani), devotion (for the Bhakta) is the key. Sometimes just repetition of the name (Japa) is enough.

"In particular, no one is superior over the others. We have to choose to believe in one, who is acceptable to our logical mind and our sensibilities. Thus, a beginning can be made.

"I also wish to make another point. Spirituality is about eternal life. Eternal life does not mean that the body will not fall when the time comes or the body will not be subject to the laws of nature. Eternal life is about the spirit. When one is established in the knowing (not knowledge) that he is spirit and not his body-mind, then there is real awareness, unfettered by mental construct dawns.

“In such a state, there is no sleep ever. Always there is full awareness, even when lies down on the bed with closed eyes and there is no thought in the mind (as in sleep). Such a person also experiences physical death, when his time comes. However, he 'dies' consciously, much in the same way as he ‘sleeps’ consciously. When physical death happens, he leaves the body consciously and is fully aware of the journey thereafter. He sees himself as a point of awareness having travelled through various life forms. There is no death for such a man. In this way, he has attained eternal life.

"Hence, in spirituality we do not bother about physical death. We investigate it thoroughly. We even prepare for it. This is because physical death may provide a doorway into the Absolute.

“Not only this, we have the concept of Jiwanmuktas. These are Siddha Masters (Perfected Beings). They have become liberated while living. Such persons are supremely free. They just retain that much of Karma as will allow the physical body to subsist. At an opportune time they burn this remainder of Karma and body falls.

"No wonder, Jesus told those around him that he had come to give them eternal life. This was suggestive of what state he was capable of bestowing upon those who would choose to be with him. But, these words, imbued with mystical intent, were perhaps not fully understood by those around him. However, even today one who worships Jesus experiences his living presence. In the same way anyone who takes refuge in Ram or Krishna or Hanuman feels their living presence.

"There is no dearth of Gurus who though they are no longer in their physical bodies are guiding people all the time. So let's stop bothering about who gave up the physical body and who did not and take refuge the self-effulgent, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent Self that exists right within each of us but to which we pay little attention.”