hanuman and his prayers

Embarking on a new venture
After long deliberations, Hanumān was chosen to fly across the ocean and search for Sītā in
Rāvan‹a’s Lankā. This venture was a highly risky one and called for great skill, bravery and
resourcefulness, all of which Hanumān possessed in plenty. Yet, while embarking on it, he
took recourse to praying to higher powers to give him strength and to crown his efforts with
success. The order in which he prayed to them is significant and needs to be noted
.

First heprayed to his preceptors or teachers, then to the Sun God who had taught him the science of
language and to Indra who taught him linguistics. Afterwards he prayed to his own father,
Vāyu, the Lord of Wind. Later he saluted Brahmā who had bestowed on him rare boons and
powers (these would be handy to him later on). Lastly, he prayed to the Gods who controlled
the elements and quarters.
This shows that, while offering prayers or salutations, we should remember our teachers and
parents who, in terms of Hindu philosophy, are ‘visible Gods’ because they have given us
knowledge and the means for existence.
Again Hanumān prayed for a second time in Lankā. This was when, after a great bout of
depression in not finding Sītā anywhere in Lankā despite a thorough search (not even four
inches of space was omitted), he saw the pleasure garden ‘Aśoka–vana, girt by ramparts away
from the city’, which he had missed. Instinctively, Hanumān felt Rāvan‹a would have kept
Sītā captive in that safe and secure place. Immediately he joined his hands in humble prayer
to the unseen Gods. In one sweep, he called upon, “in deep humility and steadfast devotion,
the hosts of Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, Aśvins and Maruts”. He mentally bowed at the feet of
“Rāma, Laks‹man‹a, Jānakī, Rudra, Indra, Yama, Vāyu, Sūrya, Candra and all other Lords of
the shining Realm”. As we know, his later efforts were crowned with success.
Thus we see that nothing remains unachieved with sincere prayers. Let us remember Alfred
Tennyson’s famous line, “More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of”. We
also give below an extract from an article by Dr. Alexis Carrel (author of Man the Unknown)
which appeared in the March 1941 issue of the Reader’s Digest, which tellingly describes the
power of prayer.
“Prayer is not only worship; it is also an invisible emanation of man’s
worshipping spirit – the most powerful form of energy that one can generate.
The influence of prayer on the human mind and body is as demonstrable as
secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of increased physical
buoyancy, greater intellectual vigour, moral stamina, and a deeper
understanding of the realities underlying human relationships. If you make a
habit of sincere prayer, your life will be very noticeably and profoundly
altered. Prayer stamps with its indelible mark our actions and demeanour. A
tranquillity of bearing, a facial and bodily repose are observed in those whose
inner lives are thus enriched. Within the depths of consciousness, a flame
kindles. And man sees himself. He discovers his selfishness, his silly pride, his
fears, his greed, his blunders. He develops a sense of moral obligation,
intellectual humility. Thus begins a journey of the soul towards the realm of
grace.
“Prayer is a force as real as terrestrial gravity. As a physician, I have seen
men, after all other therapy has failed, lifted out of disease and melancholy by
the serene effort of prayer. It is the only power in the world that seems to
overcome the so-called ‘laws of nature’; the occasions on which prayer has
dramatically done this have been termed ‘miracles’. But a constant, quieter
miracle takes place hourly in the hearts of men and women who have
discovered that prayer supplies them with a steady source of sustaining power
in their daily lives.
“Too many people regards prayer as a formalised routine of words, a refuge
for weaklings or a childish petition for material things. We sadly undervalue
prayer when we conceive it in these terms, just as we should underestimate
rain by describing it as something that fills the birdbath in our garden.
Properly understood, prayer is a mature activity indispensable to the fullest
development of personality – the ultimate integration of man’s highest
faculties. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete and harmonious
assembly of body, mind and spirit which gives the frail human reed its
unshakeable strength.”
Abraham Lincoln used to say, “Without divine assistance, I cannot succeed; with it, I cannot
fail”.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Prayer is another form of food for me. I need it to keep my energies”.