An overwhelming majority of people appreciate Lord Hanuman for his strength, devotion to Lord Rama, and his active role in the Ramayana. The Panchmukhi Hanuman story is a spiritually powerful narrative that captivates people even today. It depicts Lord Hanuman's supernatural abilities when he appeared in the divine form of Panchmukhi to defeat the sorcerer Ahiravana. Let's talk about how Ahiravana kidnapped Lord Rama and Lakshmana and how Hanuman saved them.
Panchamukhi Hanuman Story
As we know, Lord Rama waged a war with the demon King Ravana to rescue goddess Sita. The war took a serious turn. During the battle, Ravana realized that he could not defeat Lord Rama directly. So, he approached his brother Ahiravana, the ruler of Patal Lok. He was notorious for his black magic, illusionary warfare, and shape-shifting abilities. He promised Ravana that he would capture Lord Rama and Lakshmana and sacrifice them to the goddess Mahamaya.
Remember, Hanuman used to guard God Rama's camp with vigilance. But Ahiravana took the appearance of Vibhishana, Ravana’s noble brother, and easily entered the camp. Everyone was sleeping at that time. Ahiravana kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana and took them to Patala Loka. By morning, Lord Hanuman discovered that Rama and Lakshmana had been kidnapped.
He confirmed the truth from the real Vibhishana and took an oath to bring them back. With great determination, he started his journey to Patala Loka. At the entrance of Patala Loka, Lord Hanuman encountered Makardhwaja, his son. After the conversation, he came to know the truth about his son and how he took birth. Although Hanuman became emotional, he was committed to fulfilling his duties. So, he fought with his son & defeated him.
He entered Patala Loka and found that it was a world of endless labyrinths, dark tunnels, mirror illusions, armies of magical beings, spells and traps, etc. Ahiravana was busy performing rituals to sacrifice Rama and Lakshmana to Goddess Mahamaya. So, lord Hanuman acted fast, appeared in Panchmukhi incarnation, fought a war with Ahiravana, and defeated him eventually.
- With Hanuman's face, he destroyed the eastern lamp.
- Narasimha helped him destroy the Southern flame.
- Garuda helped him destroy the Western lamp.
- Varaha enabled him to crush the northern flame.
- Hayagriva enabled him to absorb the upward-facing lamp of dark magic
Once all five flames were destroyed, Ahiravana lost his power & died. Lord Hanuman rescued Rama and Lakshmana and took them to Lanka on his shoulders.
The Five Faces of Panchamukhi Hanuman And Their Meaning
Hanuman (Facing East)
He is a symbol of protection, devotion, and strength.
Narasimha (Facing South)
He destroys black magic, evil spirits, and fear.
Garuda (Facing West)
He removes negativity, poison, and serpentine forces.
Varaha (Facing North)
He offers earth protection, grounding, and stability.
Hayagriva (Facing Upward)
He represents divine victory, purity, and knowledge.
Importance Of Panchamukhi Hanuman
Control Over 5 Senses
We have five senses- sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Panchmukhi Hanuman teaches us to stay away from negative actions and control the senses. It helps us focus our attention on the main responsibilities of our lives.
Protection From Negative Forces
There are unseen negative energies around us. Panchmukhi Hanuman protects devotees from negative energy and encourages them to lead a courageous life.
Triumph Over Fear
The Narasimha face of Lord Hanuman eliminates psychological problems, anxiety, and internal fear.
Removal Of Negativity & Poison
Garuda and Varaha faces of 5-faced Hanuman purify the surroundings, body, and mind.
Devotion Towards Deity
Panchmukhi Hanuman is a fine example of devotion towards the almighty god. As he was committed to performing his duties in all circumstances, Lord Hanuman defeated his son and rescued Lord Rama and Lakshmana. It teaches us that we must perform our duties in all situations, regardless of emotions or relationships.
How To Worship Panchmukhi Hanuman?
Choose A Date & Time
You can worship Panchmukhi Hanuman at any time as per your desire. But certain dates and timings are considered pious. Tuesday and Saturday, Amavasya, Purnima, and Hanuman Jayanti are the best times to worship Lord Hanuman. The pooja should be performed early in the morning or evening.
Collect Worship Essentials
You should collect pooja essentials to worship Panchmukhi Hanuman. It may include Panchamukhi Hanuman Photo or idol, oil or ghee diya, incense sticks, red cloth, red flowers, vermilion, pure water, fruits, bananas, etc. Place the photo or idol on a clean platform. Cover it with a red or orange cloth to ensure extra purity of the worship space.
Clean The Worship Area
You should clean the worship area in the surrounding areas completely. Light a diya and sit facing East or North to worship God.
Perform The Worship
Start worshiping God by offering water and flowers. Apply vermilion to a photo or idol, offer prasad, chant mantras, and recite Hanuman Chalisa. Meditate for 2-5 minutes. It will bring divine energy to your home and pacify your mind. Perform Aarti and distribute sacred food among devotees. You can also worship Panchmukhi Hanuman in the temple if there are more devotees and you want to organize a large-scale religious celebration. There are multiple Panchmukhi Hanuman temples in India. Go to the nearest temple and perform pooja with all your loved ones. It will help you get the blessings of god.
What Are The Benefits of Worshipping Panchmukhi Hanuman?
If you worship Panchmukhi Hanuman regularly with great devotion and dedication, you will get mental and emotional strength. God protects you from negative energies and removes fear. You also have stability in your career and finances. Your inner confidence and mental peace are increased. You enjoy harmony at home and in relationships. So, worship God regularly and have a peaceful life.
Conclusion
Panchamukhi Hanuman's story is a captivating story of courage, devotion, and spiritual victory in the Ramayana. It teaches that regardless of unfavourable situations, divine strength and devotion can help us break any barrier and defeat evil forces. This story continues to inspire a large number of individuals even today. So, worship God regularly to get his blessings, protect yourself from negative forces, destroy inner arrogance, and lead a balanced life. Get the Hanuman Idol and other art and crafts from Cottage9. We are always happy to process your order faster and ensure its delivery at the specified address.
