Significance of Panchmukhi Hanuman

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Lord Hanuman has many devotees all over the world, and he is worshipped in many forms. One such form is the powerful Panchmukhi Hanuman, with five faces gazing in different directions. The Panchmukhi Hanuman or the Panchamukhi Anjaneya is said to be one among his Virat (gigantic) forms. Some hold that there are two different forms of Panchmukhi Hanuman. In one, all the five faces are of Hanuman. The second, which is more popular, has five majestic faces, each face belonging to a different god.

The Panchmukhi Hanuman is quite magnificent and awe-inspiring. This form arose in Patala when Hanuman was tasked with the responsibility of saving Lord Ram’s life. This form is also endowed with several weapons like the parashu (battle axe), chakra (disc), gada (mace), trishul (trident), and the khanda (sword). The five faces of Hanuman are Garuda - facing west, Varaha - facing north, Hayagriva - facing the sky, Narasimha - facing south, and the fifth, Hanuman, facing east.

Panchamukhi Hanuman is believed to be an incarnation of Rudra or a part of Lord Shiva. Being the son of Anjana, Hanuman is also called Anjaneya. He is known for both his might and intellect.

Hanuman, the devout follower of Rama, embodies strength, valor, and courage. He inspires us to face our challenges bravely and confidently and emerge triumphant from our ordeals.

During the war between Rama and Ravana in the Ramayana epic, Ravana was losing, and hence he summoned his brother, Ahiravana, who was the chief of Patala (netherworld). Ahiravana was a powerful demon and black magician. He had a secret weapon, the Nagapasha, or darts that could inject snake poison into the human body. He disguised himself as Vibhishana and took Hanuman off-guard. He also kidnapped Rama and his brother, Lakshmana, while they were sleeping at night.

When Hanuman reached Patala, looking for Rama, he learned that he could kill Ahiravana in one way only. The demon’s soul was in five lamps, and by extinguishing all five lamps simultaneously, he could be killed. So, Hanuman manifested his Panchamukhi form, with each face gazing in a different direction. Together, they blew out all the candles. Once the demon died, Hanuman took the still-unconscious Rama and Lakshmana back to Lanka.

Those who worship this form of Hanuman will attain liberation from all kinds of fears, enemies, and negativity. Lord Hanuman is often described as a yogi. He is regarded as having attained perfection in his siddhis, and he had also mastered his five senses or Pancha Indriyas. This is one of several interpretations for the five faces. The famous Tamil poet, Kambar, has mentioned the importance of the number five in the Tamil version of Ramayana, Ramavataram.

Panchamukhi form of Hanuman is worshipped by many for protection from various illnesses. The face looking towards the east is his original form, the monkey face or kapimukha. Devotion to this face can remove the stain of one's past deeds and makes the mind pure. Devotion to this face also appeases Saturn and gives protection against its affliction.

The west-facing garudamukha protects against evil charms, the effects of black magic, and negative spirits. It also removes all toxins from the human body. It protects you from all problems and miseries caused by your spouse.

The north-facing varahamukha removes bad effects caused by the negative influences of malefic planets in one's birth chart (kundli) and also bestows eight kinds of prosperity (ashta aishwaryas). This mukha also grants relief from problems caused by the planet Rahu.

Many devotees perform Panchamukhi Hanuman Homam to appease the deity and gain relief from their troubles.