"Strength is a gift, but how you choose to use it defines whether you walk the path of light or shadow."
Aditya Continued story. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Anjana and Kesari watched in awe as their son, Hanuman, grew at an astonishing rate. From the moment of his birth, it was clear that Hanuman was no ordinary child. His strength was unparalleled, and his curiosity knew no bounds. Unlike other infants, who would spend their days crawling, babbling, and exploring their small world, Hanuman displayed an extraordinary vigor and energy that set him apart from any child his age.Even as a baby, Hanuman's actions were a reflection of his divine origins. He would lift heavy objects effortlessly, leap great distances, and his playful antics often left his parents marveling at his abilities. While most children his age were just beginning to take their first steps, Hanuman was already bounding through the forest, exploring his surroundings with boundless enthusiasm.Though proud of their son's extraordinary talents, Anjana and Kesari grew concerned. They realized that Hanuman's divine nature might draw unwanted attention from those who could see his powers as a threat. Moreover, they worried that his rapid growth and strength might lead him to inadvertently cause harm, as he lacked the maturity to control his immense power.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the forest was bathed in a soft golden light, Anjana and Kesari sat together, their faces lined with worry. "Our son is destined for greatness," Anjana said, her voice tinged with concern. "But he is still so young, so unaware of the world and its dangers. I fear that his powers might overwhelm him before he is ready."Kesari nodded in agreement. "I share your concerns, Anjana. His strength and abilities are beyond anything I have ever seen. But he is still a child, and children need time to learn, to grow, and to understand their place in the world. Perhaps we should seek divine intervention."And so, with heavy hearts but unwavering faith, Anjana and Kesari decided to pray to Lord Shiva, the one who had blessed them with their extraordinary child. They sought a way to ensure that Hanuman could grow up safely, learning the ways of the world at a pace suited to his age, while keeping his divine powers under control.Together, they performed a sacred ritual, offering prayers and chanting mantras with deep devotion. Their plea was simple: to allow Hanuman to grow as a normal child, without the burden of his immense powers until he was ready to understand and use them wisely.Moved by their sincerity and love for their son, Lord Shiva heard their prayers. Appearing in their dreams, Shiva assured them, "Your son's powers shall be tempered. He will grow like a human child, learning and maturing at the right pace. But when the time comes, he will remember who he truly is and fulfill his divine purpose."
Relieved, Anjana and Kesari awoke from their dreams, comforted by Shiva's promise. From that day on, they noticed a subtle change in Hanuman. While he still retained his boundless energy and curiosity, his extraordinary powers seemed to recede into the background. He began to engage in the playful activities typical of children his age, delighting his parents with his laughter and innocent mischief.As Hanuman continued to grow, the time came for his formal naming ceremony, a significant event in any child's life. Anjana and Kesari wished to bestow upon their son a name that would reflect his divine heritage and the greatness that was destined for him. The day of the ceremony was chosen with great care, under the most auspicious alignment of stars and planets, ensuring that their son would be blessed with a name that carried the favor of the gods.On the day of the ceremony, the kingdom of Kishkindha was adorned with flowers, and the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and incense. The royal palace buzzed with excitement as sages, priests, and well-wishers gathered to witness the event. Anjana and Kesari, dressed in their finest garments, beamed with pride as they prepared to present their son to the gathered assembly.As the rituals began, each sage and priest took turns suggesting names, each one more auspicious than the last. "Let him be named Anjaneya," one priest suggested, honoring his mother. Another proposed "Kesari Nandana," in tribute to his father. "Vajrang," another sage offered, referencing the child's unbreakable body.However, to everyone's surprise, each time a name was suggested, the infant Hanuman shook his head and refused to acknowledge it. His tiny face scrunched up in disapproval, and his bright eyes flashed with a determination that belied his tender age. It was as if the child himself knew that none of these names truly captured his essence.The priests and sages were perplexed. Never before had they seen a child so discerning, so aware of his own identity, even at such a young age. Anjana and Kesari exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to proceed.
Just as uncertainty began to fill the room, a gentle breeze swept through the palace, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The gathered assembly fell silent as the breeze grew stronger, and suddenly, in the midst of the swirling air, the god Vayu, the Wind God and Hanuman's celestial father, appeared.
Vayu, with his majestic presence and calming demeanor, approached the cradle where Hanuman lay. His voice, deep and resonant, filled the room as he spoke, "This child, born of divine grace and destined for greatness, shall not be named by mortals alone. He is the beloved son of the wind, and his name shall reflect his divine heritage."As the assembly watched in awe, Vayu leaned over and gently touched the child's forehead. "You shall be known as Pavana Nandana Maruthi," he declared, his voice filled with pride and love. "This name, chosen by the goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, honors your divine origins and the blessings of the Mother Goddesses upon you."The moment the name was uttered, Hanuman's face lit up with a smile, his eyes sparkling with recognition. He accepted the name without hesitation, his tiny hands reaching out as if to embrace the identity that had been bestowed upon him.The gathered assembly erupted in joyous applause, chanting the name "Maruthi" in unison. Anjana and Kesari, their hearts filled with gratitude, bowed deeply to Vayu, thanking him for the divine name that their son had so eagerly accepted.And so, from that day forward, Hanuman was known as Pavana Nandana Maruthi, a name that would become synonymous with strength, devotion, and unwavering loyalty. It was a name that honored his connection to the divine wind and the goddesses who had blessed him, setting the stage for the incredible journey that lay ahead in his life.
Days passed, and Maruthi, now growing into his name, continued to amaze those around him. Under the gentle guidance of his celestial father, Vayu, Maruthi learned the art of flight. The wind itself became his ally, lifting him into the skies as he soared over the forests and mountains of Kishkindha. Vayu taught him how to navigate the air currents, how to control his speed, and how to dance with the breeze. For Maruthi, flying was not just a skill; it was pure joy. He would often fly above the treetops, laughing with delight as the wind played with his hair and the clouds brushed against his cheeks.
Despite his divine powers, Maruthi remained a child at heart. He spent his days playing in the gardens, plucking fruits from the trees, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. His laughter echoed through the palace, bringing happiness to everyone around him. Anjana and Kesari watched their son with pride and love, knowing that he was destined for greatness, yet cherishing these innocent moments of his childhood.
One morning, as the first rays of dawn began to paint the sky, Maruthi woke up with a rumble in his stomach. The early morning hunger had struck, and he eagerly looked around for something to eat. As he rubbed his sleepy eyes and peered out of the palace window, he caught sight of something extraordinary. In the distance, rising slowly into the sky, was a massive, glowing orb of orange. It was the sun, slowly beginning its ascent to bring light to the world.
But to Maruthi, still young and unaware of the sun's true nature, it looked like the largest, most delicious fruit he had ever seen. His eyes widened with excitement, and his mouth watered at the thought of tasting such a delectable treat. "What a huge fruit!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. "I must have it! It must taste better than any fruit in the garden!"
Without a second thought, Maruthi leaped into the air, his small but powerful body propelled by the wind. He flew higher and higher, heading straight for the glowing orb in the sky. The closer he got, the more determined he became to reach it. "If the fruit is that big," he mused aloud, "then I must become even bigger to eat it!" And with that thought, Maruthi began to grow. His body expanded, his limbs stretched, and he became larger and larger, determined to match the size of the sun itself.
As Maruthi continued his ascent, the cosmic balance was unknowingly disturbed. On this particular day, it was time for Rahu, the demon who periodically tries to swallow the sun during eclipses, to make his move. Rahu, moving through the shadows, was preparing to approach Surya, the Sun God, when he noticed something unusual.
A small figure was hurtling toward the sun at an incredible speed, and as Rahu watched in astonishment, the figure began to grow. In a matter of moments, this figure, now enormous, was nearing the sun, clearly intending to devour it. Rahu, who considered himself the rightful challenger of Surya, was both alarmed and enraged. "Who dares to challenge me?" Rahu growled, his dark form surging forward to confront the intruder.
As Rahu approached, Maruthi's attention was momentarily diverted. He saw the dark, menacing figure blocking his path, and without a second thought, he swatted at Rahu as one would swat away an annoying insect. Maruthi's strength, combined with his now massive size, sent Rahu reeling. The demon, who was not used to being overpowered so easily, was thrown far away, his cries of anger and pain echoing through the sky.Humiliated and frightened, Rahu fled from the scene, speeding towards the heavens to report this unexpected turn of events to the king of the gods, Lord Indra. "A great being has attacked me!" Rahu bellowed as he entered the celestial court. "He is trying to swallow the sun! Indra, you must stop him!"Indra, seated on his throne in the clouds, frowned as he listened to Rahu's frantic words. The sun was a vital part of the cosmic order, and any threat to it had to be dealt with swiftly. Without delay, Indra mounted his divine elephant, Airavata, and set off towards the sun, determined to confront this new threat.As Indra approached the sun, he saw what Rahu had described—a giant figure, golden and glowing, reaching out as if to grasp the sun in its hands. From a distance, Indra could not tell who or what this being was. To him, it appeared to be a monstrous demon, intent on causing chaos in the cosmos. Without waiting to investigate further, Indra decided to act.Raising his mighty weapon, the Vajrayudha, a thunderbolt forged by the gods themselves, Indra aimed directly at the giant figure. The weapon crackled with divine energy, its power unmatched in all the heavens. "Stop, demon!" Indra commanded, his voice booming through the sky. But Maruthi, so focused on his pursuit of the "fruit," did not hear Indra's warning.With a swift and decisive motion, Indra hurled the Vajrayudha. The thunderbolt streaked across the sky, striking Maruthi with a force that shook the heavens. The impact was immense, and Maruthi, who had never experienced such pain, cried out as the bolt struck him on his jaw. The force of the blow sent him hurtling back towards the earth, his body shrinking as he fell.In a matter of moments, the once mighty Maruthi, who had grown larger than the sun, lay unconscious on the ground, his form now small and vulnerable. The sky grew still, and the sun resumed its steady rise, unaware of the battle that had just been waged in its name.Indra, seeing the figure fall, descended to the earth, his heart heavy with concern. As he approached the fallen child, he realized with a shock that this was no demon, but a mere child—a divine child, no less, with the unmistakable aura of a god's blessing upon him.Indra's heart sank as he realized the mistake he had made. He had struck down a child of great promise, a child who had no intention of harm but was merely following the innocent instincts of youth.
The moment Maruthi was struck by Indra's Vajrayudha, a ripple of distress spread through the cosmos, reaching the ears of Vayu, the Wind God. He was in the heavens, watching over his beloved son, when he felt a sudden and terrifying stillness. The air that had always been in motion, dancing to his will, seemed to pause. Vayu's heart, so attuned to the breath of life in every creature, knew immediately that something was wrong.
In an instant, Vayu descended to the earth, his heart pounding with fear. When he reached the spot where Maruthi lay unconscious, his worst fears were confirmed. His son, his divine child, was lying motionless, the spark of life within him seemingly snuffed out by the blow of Indra's thunderbolt. Vayu's grief was immeasurable. He knelt beside Maruthi, cradling his small body in his arms, tears streaming down his face.
But as grief turned to anger, the air around Vayu began to stir. His sorrow gave way to a rage that shook the heavens. "Why has my son, innocent and pure, been struck down?" Vayu's voice boomed across the earth, reverberating through the mountains and forests. His grief had transformed into a fury that no one had seen before.
"If my son will not breathe, then neither shall the world!" Vayu declared, his voice filled with the wrath of a father who had lost everything. In his rage, he began to draw back all the air in the universe into himself. The winds ceased, the air grew thin, and every living being—humans, animals, birds, even the gods—began to suffocate, struggling for breath as the life-giving air was drawn away.
The consequences of Vayu's actions were catastrophic. Without air, the world began to die. The skies darkened, the waters stilled, and the earth itself seemed to cry out in agony. The gods in the heavens, feeling the absence of air, realized that Vayu's rage threatened the very existence of the universe. They knew that if this continued, all life would perish.
Seeing the devastation that Vayu's fury was causing, the gods assembled in great haste. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, and all the other deities gathered together, their faces etched with concern. They knew that Vayu's love for his son was deep and fierce, but they also knew that if they did not act quickly, the universe would be lost.
Led by Lord Brahma, the gods descended to the earth, where they found Vayu still cradling Maruthi's unconscious form, his face a mixture of sorrow and fury. Brahma, with all the wisdom of the ages, approached Vayu with calm and compassion. "Vayu," he began, his voice gentle yet commanding, "your son is not dead. He has merely been knocked unconscious by the force of Indra's Vajrayudha. But if you continue to withdraw the air, all life in the universe will perish."
The words of Brahma reached Vayu's heart, but his anger was not easily quelled. "My son was struck down unjustly!" Vayu cried, his voice still trembling with rage. "If he does not awaken, I will not restore the air, and all life shall end."
Seeing Vayu's resolve, the gods realized that they must offer something more to assuage his grief. "We understand your pain," said Lord Shiva, stepping forward, "and to honor your son, we shall bestow upon him the greatest of boons."
With a gesture from Brahma, the divine energy began to flow into Maruthi's body. The boy stirred slightly, the color returning to his cheeks. Brahma knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his head. "Awaken, child," Brahma whispered, his voice filled with divine power. Maruthi's eyes fluttered open, and as he gazed up at the gods surrounding him, a sense of peace filled the air.
"You, Maruthi, are the eleventh Rudra, an avatar of Lord Shiva," Brahma declared. "You are destined for greatness, and no weapon, not even the celestial ones, shall ever harm you. I grant you the boon of invincibility against any weapon, including the powerful Brahmastra."
Lord Shiva, looking down with great affection, added, "You have a great task ahead of you, Maruthi. I grant you my divine aura, and from this moment, you shall be Chiranjeevi, immortal, living forever. Your power shall be unmatched, and you will serve the path of righteousness."
Indra, filled with regret for his earlier actions, spoke next. "My Vajrayudha will never harm you again, Maruthi. You are blessed, and my weapon will now be your protector, not your enemy."
The gods of the five elements stepped forward, each offering their blessings. Agni, the God of Fire, said, "Fire shall never burn you, and you shall have the power to withstand even the fiercest flames." Varuna, the God of Water, added, "Water shall always be your ally; it will nourish you and give you strength." Prithvi, the Earth Goddess, blessed him, "The earth shall always support you, and you will have the strength of the mountains."
Vayu, finally at peace, placed his hand on his son's head. "You shall travel through the air without weariness, and the winds will always be at your command."
Surya, the Sun God, who had witnessed Maruthi's earlier innocence, stepped forward with a gentle smile. "I forgive you, Maruthi, for your playful attempt to eat me. In return, I shall teach you the Vedas and all ancient knowledge. I will guide you on the path of dharma, and you shall be a beacon of righteousness."
With all the divine boons granted to him, Maruthi felt a surge of power and wisdom. He stood before the gods, not just as a child, but as a being of immense strength and potential. The gods, satisfied that Vayu's fury had been appeased, began to return to their celestial abodes.
Before they left, Maruthi, filled with humility, approached Surya with folded hands. "Forgive me, Lord Surya, for my foolishness. I did not know the sun was not a fruit. I am deeply sorry for my actions."
Surya smiled warmly. "There is no need for forgiveness, Maruthi. You are young and full of life. Learn well, and use your strength wisely. You are destined for great things."
With that, the gods departed, leaving Maruthi and Vayu alone. Vayu, his heart now light with relief, lifted Maruthi into his arms. "Come, my son," he said with a tender smile, "it is time to return home. Your mother and father are waiting for you."
Together, they flew back to Kishkindha, where Anjana and Kesari had been waiting anxiously, their hearts heavy with worry. When they saw Maruthi, safe and sound, their joy knew no bounds. They embraced him tightly, their tears of relief flowing freely.
Maruthi, now aware of his divine origins and the great responsibilities that lay ahead, vowed to always protect his parents and to use his powers for the good of all. The days of his playful mischief were behind him, and the future awaited, filled with purpose and destiny.
[End of Chapter 45]