Hanuman Jayanti Coloring Pages

Hanuman Jayanti Coloring Pages

Why Hanuman Is Called Bajarang Bali

Lord Hanuman is one of the bravest and most powerful characters in Ramayana. Stories of his courageous feats abound in the Hindu mythology. This can be gauged from the time when he lifted the whole Dronagiri Mountain to bring sanjivani booty for Laxman, or when he flew over the ocean all the way to Lanka to convey Rama’s message to Sita.

How he got the name

Hanuman was the son of Vanar Raj Kesari Nandan and Anjani. Rishis had given Kesari Nandan a blessing that he would be gifted with the most powerful son. Hanuman’s body was tough and strong like iron and was called Vajrang. Being the most powerful, an apt word, “Bali” got associated with it and became Vajrang Bali which later in local language became Bajrang Bali.

The legend of Hanuman

There are many legends as to why Hanuman is called Bajrang Bali. The word Vajra means diamond in Sanskrit. Hanuman had beautiful masculine features with crystal teeth and diamond-like fur; hence he has been compared with a diamond. As for the meaning of Bali, the word Bali refers to the divine strength of Hanuman who is unbeatable and the one who protects the humanity. Hanuman is considered as an ocean of mercy and knowledge and master of the divine wisdom.

Hanuman’s comparison with the diamond

Those who pray to him with complete devotion and faith are blessed with great courage and incredible inner strength and balance. Bajrang originates from Vajra, or diamond, the hardest matter known. Bali refers to the divine strength of Hanuman, the unbeatable who protects the mankind. Hanuman is Mahabali, all-powerful, muscular personality, hence compared with a diamond.

The son of Maruti

We all know that Maruti (son of Marut, the wind god) alias Hanuman was born to Anjani, in the early hours of the morning when the red ball of the sun was emerging from the horizon. Thinking it was a fruit, he leaped to catch it. In the sky, he flew high up, out of earth’s orbit towards the sun. After reaching the sun, as he was about to put the sun in his mouth that Indra Dev appeared.

Bajrang Bali Coloring Pages [2]

The impact of Vajra

Mistaking Hanuman as an Asura, he hurled his weapon Vajra (the hardest weapon made out of bones of Rishi Dadhichi) at hanuman. The impact of Vajra was so harsh that it dented hanuman’s chin. He fell to the earth, unconscious.

The stories of Hanuman

There is another version of this story. When Maruti was born at the time of sunrise, he saw the red ball of the sun emerging from the horizon. He got fascinated with the red ball and wanted to catch it. So he leaped towards the sun. At that time Rahu, the shadow planet, also developed the same fascination with the red ball. Both Maruti and Rahu wanted to possess the red ball.

All the stories of Hanuman

They entered into a fierce fight for the ball. Naturally, Maruti being Shiva’s avatar, easily defeated Rahu in the fight and possessed the red ball. Rahu went to Indra Dev to complain against Maruti. Indra Dev got angry and appeared where Maruti was playing with the red ball. Maruti saw Indra Dev’s Vahan (vehicle), the elephant Airavat. Thinking it was a toy elephant, picked Airavat in his hand and started playing with it.

The story of Srushti

Seeing all this, Indra Dev felt insulted and hurled his weapon Vajra at Maruti. The impact of Vajra created a dent on Maruti’s chin, and he fell back to the earth, unconscious. Maruti’s father Vayu Dev was watching all this from earth. He caught falling Maruti in his hands. He got furious and decided to teach Indra Dev a lesson. He went into a cave and sucked all the air from Brahma’s creation, “Srushti.”

How Brahma came into the picture

Without the air, Srushti began to die. This troubled Brahma Dev, the creator of the Srushti and Indra Dev. All Devas got worried, and they went to Vayu Dev to request him to come back. Incensed with rage, Vayu Dev refused to come back. Brahma then asked Indra Dev to apologize for his deed and revive the unconscious child.

How Bajrang Bali got the name

Seeing his child awake again, Vayu Dev’s anger abated. He came to Srushtri and restored the balance of the world. Pleased with this, Brahma Dev, Indra Dev, and all other Devas decided to bless Maruti with boons. Surya Dev granted him speed and wind like flow. Kubera blessed Hanuman with an infallible mace (the Gada) which he carries to this date. Yamraj blessed him with freedom from death. Brahma granted him immunity from Brahmastra and other divine weapons.