It’s a well known fact that devotion helps a man attain salvation, leads him and helps him reach the alter of God. One such epitome of devotion is Bajrang Bali Hanuman, who because of his selflessness and piety was bestowed blessings by several Gods. Blessings that made him mighty and powerful beyond compare.

Shri Hanuman is famed for his single-minded devotion towards Shri Ram and Sita; in fact it even set unparalleled standards. Another facet that Shri Hanuman is known for is his infinite intelligence. Like his calm disposition and placid composure hid knowledge too knows no boundaries his power extends across myriad spheres like literature & music.

Powerful that he is, yet Shri Hanuman always performed seemingly impossible tasks with great humility. Especially when he braved stormy waters and crossed the sea in search of Sita. His perseverance spells out a lesson- that however daunting the circumstances, to dutifully fulfill the task at hand with amazing speed. Shri Hanuman embodies this spirit of endurance.

It is this role played by the mighty simian that gives the Ramayana a completeness and weaves together the great epic. Meditating over the epitome of service, gives the follower the fortitude to eliminate the evil within him and the one that he has to confront in the world that surrounds him. And the benevolent God takes care of everything: the inner bad as well as the ugliness of the world.

Siddhamantra is defined as that mantra, which when chanted can bestow siddhis or powers. Similarly we have siddhagranthas or books which have the power to grant our desires or siddhis. One such siddhagrantha is Sant Tulsidas’s Ram Charitra Manas (Ramayan).

However the Ram Charitra Manas may be too long for some people to read on a regular basis- so it is considered that even reading the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana will be equal to reading the entire Ramayana. For those who may find it difficult to read even the Sundara Kanda in its entirety, Sant Tulsidas has offered the essence of Sundara Kanda in 40 beautiful verses called the Hanuman Chalisa (40 verses about Shri Hanumanji). The Hanuman Chalisa is also considered a siddhagrantha and Lord Shiva himself has said that anyone who chants the Hanuman Chalisa with reverence and faith will get all his desires fulfilled.

The Hanuman Chalisa teaches us how we can purify our lives and be successful in all our efforts just as Hanumanji was successful. It is said to ward of all evil and offer the devotee protection from all harmful influences. It is believed that meditation and chanting of these verses can put one on the path to success. Here then is an opportunity for all of us to understand the Hanuman Chalisa- one of the most powerful prayers ever- and attempt to realise ourselves.

Jo sat bar path kare kohi, Chutehi bandhi maha sukh holi
One who recites the Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.

1. Commentary

2. Hanumad Stuti

3. Shri Hanumad Rakshastotram

4. Shri Hanumad Gayatri

5. Hanuman Dhyana Mantra

6. Shri Hanumad Stotram

7. Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak

8. Shri Hanuman Chalisa

9. Shri Bajrang Baan

10. Aarti - Jai Kapeesh Jai Hanuman

Commentary: Harish Bhimani (voice), Ashok Roy (words).
Hanuman Aarti: Written by Asho Roy.
Instrumentalists: Kedar Pandit (Tabla), Pramid Sane (Tabla), Prasad Joshi (Pakhawaj), Prakash Shejwal (Pakhawaj), Deepak Borkar (Manjira), Anil Karanjgaonkar (Side Rhythm), Shashank Joshi (Side Rhythm), Rajesh Deo (Vibraphone), Sudhir Khandekar (Flute), Pradeep Barot (Sarod), Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Madhukar Dhumal (Shehnai)
Recording Engineer: Pramod Chandorkar, Chinmay Harshe
Studio: Insyns Studios.