Considered a personification of devotion, dedication, and courage, Hanuman, a hindu God, means the world to his followers. He also holds a special place in Hinduism, owing to the crucial role he played in helping Lord Rama triumph over Ravana, as depicted in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Worshipped for his love and devotion to Lord Rama and Lady Sita, he is said to be an avatar or incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Hanuman’s acts of service and unwavering devotion to Rama also earned him the boon of immortality, making him eternal. However, the concept of immortality has always attracted scepticism throughout the world, sparking debates among people from different walks of life. And so does Lord Hanuman’s immortality.
The debate over whether Lord Hanuman is still alive or not is long-standing with no clear answer. For some, he is alive in different forms, while for others, he is alive only through his teachings.
Let’s learn more about Hanuman’s immortality to finally get the answer we all have been looking for: Is Lord Hanuman still alive?
Revelations That Hint Lord Hanuman is Still Alive
When Hanuman was a child, he misconstrued the sun as a fruit and tried to eat it. Seeing him come towards the sun, Lord Indra, the King of Gods, struck him with a lightning bolt that injured him to the brink of death. Seeing his son fall, Vayu got very upset and withdrew all air from the world. To pacify him and restore the balance, several Gods blessed Hanuman with boons:
- Brahma gave Hanuman a boon that no weapon could kill him.
- Indra blessed him that Hanuman’s death could occur only by his own volition.
- Agni, the god of fire, blessed him with immunity to fire.
- Surya, the sun god, gave him the power to change the size of his body.
- Yama blessed him with good health and immortality.
Years later, grateful for his loyalty to the cause of rescuing Lady Sita from Ravana, Lord Rama blessed Lord Hanuman with true immortality–that Hanuman will remain alive and serve mankind till the end of time. With the blessing of the Gods, Lord Hanuman became a Chiranjeevi–one of the 7 immortal beings in Hindu religion.
Claims Supporting the Idea of Chiranjeevi Hanuman
The worshipers of Hanuman believe that Lord Hanuman is still alive. There are plenty of arguments to back this belief.
- Eternal Existence: Lord Hanuman will live eternally since he is deemed a chiranjeevi or an everlasting being. This conviction is founded on the gift that Hanuman received from several gods as a child.
- Footprints: Hanuman's followers in India worship his footprints, which are scattered throughout the country. Worshipers believe them to be authentic evidence of his everlasting existence.
- Documentation Across Ages: Hanuman's existence spans different eras. This is hinted at through his appearances in both Ramayana, based in the Treta Yuga, and Mahabharata, which is based in the Dwapar Yuga. This shows that Hanuman has been present across ages.
- Accounts by Sages: There are accounts of learned sages, such as Madhavarcharya and Tulsidas, catching glimpses of Hanuman. These sightings have strengthened the unwavering belief of devotees in Hanuman's perpetual existence.
- Residence: It is believed that India's Tamil Nadu state is home to Hanuman, who resides in the sacred Gandhamadana mountain. The site attracts numerous devotees, who come to pay their respects throughout the year.
- Invisible and Omnipresent: Hanuman, an invisible presence, is said to perform miracles in secrecy. He cannot be seen by mortal humans, but he is omnipresent. He is everywhere and nowhere, aiding and directing his followers onto the right path.
- Secret Mantra: Hanuman may appear before a devotee if they chant a secret mantra with pure devotion, according to a belief surrounding Hanuman. He is thought to appear wherever his mantra is recited by a pure soul.
- Witness to Ramayana: It is believed that whenever the Ramayana is being narrated or performed, Lord Hanuman is present to witness its retelling.
- Residence in Himalayas: The jungles of the Himalayas have been said to be Hanuman's abode by many. The sightings of Hanuman in the Himalayas, as documented in different stories and accounts, have led people to firmly believe in this idea. This was a boon granted to him by Lord Rama after the battle of Lanka.
- No Mention of Death: Hanuman's immortality is hinted in Hindu scriptures where there's no mention of his death. This particular omission is often taken as a proof that Hanuman may still be alive or living a life as an immortal entity.
Is Lord Hanuman Still Alive?
There is no clear-cut answer to this. Whether Lord Hanuman is still alive physically or through his teaching of strength, loyalty, perseverance, and self-discipline is a matter of faith. When we worship a Hanuman murti, we look to him to release us from all troubles and inspire us to become a better version of ourselves. In our thoughts, Lord Hanuman lives irrespective of whether he walks among us today or not.
