SRI SANKATA MOCHANA HANUMAN MANDIR, VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH...
Dr. JS Kaushik
Varanasi
According to the 'Vamana Purana', the Varuna and Assi
are two rivers that originated from the body of the primordial Purusha.
The tract of land lying between the two rivers is believed to be 'Varanasi',
the holiest of all pilgrimage centres - a city in existence from time
immemorial and that has enlightened many Rishis and Sants . The
ante diluvian culture preserved by this great city is the standing testimony
to the grandeur of past. The statement that the city is older then any legend
is also an under evaluation. Varanasi is the microcosm of Hinduism, a city of
traditional classical culture. Glorified by myth and legend and sanctified by
religion, it has always attracted a large number of pilgrims and seekers of
soul. The city is also known as 'Kasipuri'and the word 'Kas'
means to shine.
Sants of Varanasi
While there were many saints and Rishis who had lived in this
city, famous among them are saints of comparatively recent times, namely
Sri Goswami Tulsidasji, Sri Kabir dasji,
Sri Ramanathji. The works of all these saints are virtually worshipped and
are renowned for the philosophical ideas preached therein. However, the work
of Sri Goswami Tulsidasji is remembered by many, as the language used therein
was easily understood by even a commoner. At the same time, the pundits also
found them to be valuable.
Sri Tulsidasji : a devotee of Lord Hanuman
There will be hardly any devotee of Lord Anjaneya who is unaware of the
forty slokas composed by Sri Tulsidasji titled "Hanuman Chalisa".
This is the most powerful and popular composition recited by the devotees of
Lord Anjaneya the world over. Devotion that this hymn develops towards the
Lord is enormous and has to be experienced and enjoyed. If millions could
experience the devotion, the power with which the hymn had been composed
could be well estimated. His devotion towards Lord Anjaneya is well beyond
estimation. This is a siddha grantha and Sri Tulsidasji , a siddha
purusha.
Ram Katha and Lord Hanuman
It is said that whenever Sri Tulsidasji recited Ramayana he used to keep
one of the front seats vacant and covered with silk cloth. He used to keep
the seat for his Lord Anjaneya who in keeping with the saying "yathra
yathra raghunatha keerthanam thathra thathra kruthamasthakanjalim" was
sure to come for listening the Rama Charitham. To this day many
kathakar follow this practice of keeping a seat for Lord Hanumanji when
reciting Ramayana. While he was giving discourse on Ramayana in the great
city of Varanasi, he was curious to see Lord Hanumanji in the crowd and
everyday he will look forward to have dharshan of the Lord. With the
curiosity intensified, one day he spotted a leper sitting in one corner of
the crowd who was keenly listening to the story and was totally immersed in
the process with a sense of deep devotion to Lord Rama. Sri Tulsidasji
understood that he is nobody other than Lord Hanumanji and decided to follow
him after the katha was over for the day. Sri Tulsidasji spotted him
after the katha and started following him. He was trying to dodge Sri
Tulsidasji.
Dharshan of Lord Hanuman
Finally after moving some good distance southward towards the place known
as Lanka, that was full of jungle, Sri Tulsidasji over took him. And in the
firm belief that the person whom he followed was Lord Hanumanji, he got hold
of the person's feet and with pranam said "Oh! My Lord Hamumathe! so
kind of you to have come to give dharshan to me. I would like to see
my Lord in his full glory. Please have mercy on me to give me dharshan
of yourself in your own roopa". The leper - none other than Lord
Hanumanji - could see the plight of the devotee and composer of Sri Ramayana,
and took his original form as Lord Hanumanji. On seeing Lord Hanumanji in his
own form, Sri Tulsidasji was immensely happy. After few minutes of dharshan
of his Lord he said "having had your dharshan I am relieved of my next
birth. Now that I am relieved of the next birth, My Lord kindly help me to
have dharshan of Lord Rama during this birth itself". Lord Hanuman
smiled at his devotee. With His right hand lifted and with His left hand on
His heart said "when time is ripe I will call you to Chitrakoot and help make
dharshan of our Lord Rama".
Swayambhu of Lord Hanuman
Sri Tulsidasji put forward another request to his Lord- that He should
bless all those who come to this spot. Lord Hanumanji affirmed that he shall
oblige his wishes by giving blessing to bakthas here in the very same place.
It is believed that as per the desire of Sri Tulsidasji, Sri Hanumanji has
self-assumed (swayambhu) form and gives his blessings to one and all
the bakthas coming here with faith.
Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman
The place is known as Lanka in Varanasi and is very near Banaras Hindu
University. A small kutil was built for Lord Hanumanji on the very
same spot where the Lord gave dharshan to Sri Tulsidasji. It is a
well-maintained secret that the form self-assumed by the Lord here is same as
he gave dharshan to Sri Tulsidasji. Lord Hanumanji has his right hand
raised, [abhayahastha] and his left hand rests in His heart. Since all
the troubles of the devotees are eliminated with the blessings Lord Hanuman
of this kshethra the swayambhu Hanuman has come to be known as
Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman.
Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman Temple
The temple initially was small and with the help of mahants of the
time various additions were made and today the temple complex is very well
maintained. There are rooms for stay by the devotees who come to the temple
on pilgrimage. The Pratha aarati at five in the early morning is well
attended. The Rathri aarati is performed to the Lord Sankata Mochan
Hanuman at around eight thirty in the night. Before closing the door of the
temple the Sayana aarati is performed at around ten in the night. At
that time, in the mellow light, to have dharshan of the Lord is a
wonderful experience that one can carry through out his lifetime. The temple
is closed between noon and three in the evening after bhog.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays akant nama sangeerthanam, manaspat
especially Kishkintha and Sundera Kand are chanted. On the day
of Karthik Krishna Chathurdhashi special prayers at the time of
Suryodhaya are held. On Chitra Sukla Poornima day, the Mahotsav
of the temple is held and during that time many tableaus are taken out in
procession. Many workshops on Ramayan, virat sangeet are held for four
days during the same period.
Next time when visiting Varanasi, do have dharshan of the Lord in the form of Sri Sankata Mochan and get rid of all the troubles the are afflicting you and offer your gratitude to Sri Tulsidasji for making it possible.
[ed. october 2005]