Hanuman – the aspect of Shiva – Story!
It is a well-known fact that Hanuman is the best devotee of Rama.
But there is a reason why some say that he is one with the aspect of Shiva!
In the Vaishnava tradition, Garudazhvar (Garuda – Vehicle of Narayana) is called the Great Holy Feet. Similarly, Hanuman has the special title of Small Holy Feet.
Hanuman gets this special title because he served the Lord in the Rama incarnation and lived as a servant.
It is an amazing fact that such a Hanuman is one with the aspect of Shiva.
How?
In the Treta Yuga, there lived a great devotee of Shiva named Kuncharan. He had no children for a long time.
He performed penance to Lord Shiva, asking for a boon, and that too a boy.
Kailash Nath, praising Kuncharan’s penance, appeared before him and asked him what boon he wanted.
He said that he wanted a beautiful boy.
Lord Shiva said:
“According to your karma, you do not have the fortune of having a son. But you will have a chaste daughter. Through her, you will have a grandson with my aspect.”
Kuncharan was very happy. Rather than regretting that he did not have a male child, he decided to give birth to at least a girl to solve the problem of not having a child and went home after completing his penance.
A beautiful daughter named Anjana was born to him in a few days.
Anjana Devi, who had reached her ‘marriage age’, married the monkey hero Kesari in the Gandharva manner.
Once, Dharma Devata, who appeared before Anjana Devi in the form of a Kurava sect lady, told her to go to Thirumala Hill (Tirupati) and do penance, and as a result, a son full of strength and power would be born.
Anjana Devi also went to Thirumala and began her penance.
Vayu Bhagavan was very pleased with the penance she performed with devotion and diligence. Wanting to help her in her penance in any way he could, he left a fruit in front of her every day without her knowing.
One day, he took a fruit that he had kept for Shiva puja and left it where she was.
Anjana Devi, who woke up, worshipped the fruit in front of her and ate it.
She became pregnant at that moment. Since the fruit was for Shiva, Hanuman, born to Anjana Devi, is considered to be the son of Vayu, with the Shiva aspect and the wind god giving it to him.
Therefore, Anjaneya is considered to be the symbol of Saiva-Vaishnava unity. If he is worshipped with devotion, he will fulfill any legitimate request that the devotees make.
(Ujjayini Mahakaleshwar – Story! READ HERE!)