The Panchmukhi Hanuman Story and Its Connection to the Ramayana

The Panchmukhi Hanuman is a special swaroop/ form of Lord Hanuman, which exists during satyug in the epic story of Ramayana. A five-faced variation of Hanuman shows her extreme Ram bhakti and unmatched wisdom. Hanuman ji specially transforms himself into Panchmukhi form to save Ram and Lakshman from a twisted situation.

Who is Panchmukhi Hanuman?

Hanumanji is known for his ultimate power, unbeatable cleverness, and wisdom. He was a heartfelt devotee of Lord Ram and could cross any limit to protect Ram or to get his task done. The word Panchmukhi itself reflects the meaning that is “five-faced”. This special form of Lord Hanuman emerged during Ramayana. Each face represents a specific deity and the unique power of that particular god, which collectively makes the Panchmukhi Swaroop of Hanuman ji.

The Faces of Panchmukhi Hanuman

The five faces of Panchmukhi Hanuman represent five powerful deities, each with their uniqueness.

• East-facing Hanuman: The main face represents ultimate strength and devotion.
• South facing Narasimha: It represents unparalleled fierceness for the slaughtering of evil.
• West-facing Garuda: It shows the capability to overcome negative situations.
• North facing Varaha: Signify restoration of the Earth for the wellbeing of humankind.
• Upward facing Hayagriva: Horse-like face that represents victory over evil with wisdom.

Panchamukhi signifies Lord Hanuman’s ability to face challenges, defeat them, and protect Lord Ram and his dear ones at any cost. Our mythological stories apart fit the surprising actions of Lord Hanuman, which he executed to make Lord Ram’s goal achievable.

Ramayan’s Panchmukhi Hanuman Story

The Panchmukhi Hanuman tells the incident of Rama and Ravana’s battle. When all the great warriors of Lanka were killed by Rama and his soldiers, Ravana called his brother Ahiravana, the King of Patal Lok. He was a master of Tantra Vidhya, and by using his black & negative powers, Ahiravana attacked Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman and took them to his beneath-the-earth kingdom.

Vibhishan was aware of Ahiravan and his powers so he predicted that this must be an action of Ahiravan, their brother, on the order of Ravana. Vibhishan informed Hanumanji about this, when Hanuman ji came to know this, he rapidly moved towards Patal Lok to protect Lord Rama and Lakshman. On reaching Patal Lok, Hanuman found that Ahiravana’s eternity was due to five lamps set in five different directions. Ahiravana was a supreme devotee of the goddess Bhawani. He got a boon from goddess Bhavani that one who blows these 5 lamps together will only be able to kill him. For killing Ahiravan these five lamps have to be extinguished in one go.

To execute this near-to-impossible task, Lord Hanuman converted himself into Panchmukhi Hanuman. With his five faces in all five different directions, Hanuman extinguished the lamps in one shot & defeated Ahiravana and took out Lord Rama and Lakshman from Patal Lok. This act of bravery and commitment says a lot about Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Ram.

The Original Panchmukhi Hanuman

The Original Panchmukhi Hanuman is commonly connected with age-old idols and artistry monuments found in temples. These historic creatures are supposed to be of the era of the Satyuga or Ramayana, reflecting Lord Hanuman’s sacred form that rescued Lord Rama and Lakshman.

Other than temples, there are numerous ancient literature and sculptures that tell about the five-faced form of Lord Hanuman, which is Panchamukhi Hanuman.

By praising Panchmukhi swaroop, devotees can invoke the blessings of Hanuman and overcome challenges in their lives. The Panchmukhi Hanuman tale is more than just the bravery of Lord Hanuman. It teaches us a lesson to be committed to our goal no matter how tough or big the hurdles of the path.

Panchmukhi Hanuman Temples in India

The Panchmukhi Hanuman Swaroop is worshipped across India and even outside India. The most famous temple is the Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. This temple is supposed to be around 1000 years old. The idol or murti of Panchamukhi Hanumanji is carved on a single Stone. There are some floating stones in the temple, which are believed to be a part of Ram setu created by Ram sena during Ramayana.

Other than this notable temple, there are several Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandirs across India and outside, which serve as a spiritual center for the Indians. Devotees worship the Panchmukhi form of Hanuman ji with the same devotion and have equal faith as the original form.

Conclusion

Panchamukhi Hanuman is a transformation of Hanuman ji Lord Hanuman, which he took during Ramayana to save Lord Ram. And Lakshman from the attack of Ahiravan.  Ahiravan was the younger brother of Ravana and he was the king of Patal Lok. He has a near-to-impossible bone near-to-impossible eternity bone from goddess Bhavani, and there were 5 lamps placed in 5 different directions. Devi Bhavani gave Ahiravan a boon that he would blow these 5 lamps. In one go, we’ll be able to kill him. Hanumanji with his Panchmukhi form, in which he has 5 faces in 5 different directions, blows the lamps.  And kill Ahiravan, protect the lord Ram and Lakshman, and take them out from the Patal Lok. Thus in this way, Panchamukhi Swaroop came into existence.

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