Shri Bajrang Baan

Shri Bajrang Baan is a hymn to Hanuman in the Awadhi-Hindi chaupai style, with a doha at the beginning and the end. It is popularly attributed to Goswami Tulsidas, but this attribution is not established, and the hymn is not found among his well-known works, so it is read here as a traditional devotional text. Its name means "the arrow of Bajrangbali (Hanuman)." It is different from the Chalisa, because instead of slow praise it is an urgent, close plea: it recalls his great deeds, asks him not to delay, uses beej sounds and takes an oath in Ram''s name.

The opening doha. It says that those who pray with firm love, faith and respect will have all their auspicious tasks completed by Hanuman. The idea is that devotion must be steady and trusting, and it sets the tone for the whole hymn.

First part: the plea (lines 1 to 2). "Jai Hanumant sant hitkari" calls him the friend of saints and asks him to hear the prayer, and not to delay in the work of his people, but to run and give great happiness.

Second part: the deeds of Lanka (lines 3 to 9). This is a short retelling of the Sundarkand. He leapt over the sea. Surasa opened her mouth wide, and he made himself small and came out. Lankini, the guard of Lanka, stopped him, and he struck her with one blow. He comforted Vibhishan, saw Sita and attained a supreme joy. He uprooted the garden and threw demons into the sea, killed Akshay Kumar, wrapped cloth around his tail and burned Lanka, which burned like lac, and the gods in heaven cried "jai." The point of the section is to remind Hanuman of his own past rescues, as a devotee reminds a helper of his promise. The line "Ati aatur Yamkaatar tora" is read in different ways, so take it as a general line on how quickly he broke the demons'' ranks.

Third part: "Why the delay?" (lines 9 to 11). "Ab vilamb kehi karan Swami" asks, O Lord who knows the heart, why delay now? The devotee then calls on him as the giver of Lakshman''s life (the Sanjeevani story, see the Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak), the lifter of the mountain (Giridhar), the ocean of joy, and the capable one among all the gods.

Fourth part: beej sounds and the oath (lines 12 to 18). Here the hymn uses sounds such as "Om hanu hanu hanu," "Om hun hun hun" and "Om ngin ngin ngin," which tradition calls beej mantras, and asks Hanuman to strike the enemy with his mace and thunderbolt. It swears in Hari''s name and in Ram''s name, and says: "Jai jai jai Hanumant agadha, dukh pavat jan kehi aparadha," meaning, O deep one, for what fault does your servant suffer? The oath language is a poetic way of begging, like a child who insists to a parent, and the "enemies" in a devotional reading are fear, pain and inner weakness as much as outer troubles. Please do not use these lines to wish harm on any person.

Fifth part: humility (lines 19 to 21). "Pooja jap tap nem achara, nahin janat haun das tumhara" says, I do not know worship, chanting, penance, rules or conduct, I only know I am your servant. "Van upvan mag girigrih mahin, tumhare bal hum darpat nahin" says, in the forest, garden, road, mountain or house, with your strength I do not fear. This is the heart of the hymn: not rules, but trust.

Sixth part: praise and the list of fears (lines 22 to 29). He is called Anjani Kumar, balwanta and Shankar-suvan (a son of Shankar, in the tradition that sees Hanuman as a Rudra form). His face is fierce, and he is the destroyer of the clan of Kaal (death) and the constant protector, with Ram''s help. The hymn then lists bhoot, pret, pishach, nishachar, fire, baital, kaal and maari-mar (epidemic or violent death), and asks him to strike them in the name of Ram, protecting the dignity of his name. "Janak suta Haridas kahavo" appeals that he is called a servant of Sita and Hari, and so should not delay. The names of beings like bhoot and pret are traditional beliefs, and the list also stands for fears and dangers in general.

Seventh part: the final calls (lines 30 to 37). The cry "Uthu uthu chalu tohin Ram duhai" means rise, go, I swear by Ram, I fall at your feet. More beej sounds follow ("Om chancham chancham," "Om ham ham haank det Kapi chanchal," "Om sam sam saham parane khaldal"), which describe him rushing in, calling out, and the wicked fleeing in fear. Then: "Apne jan ko turat ubaro, sumirat hoy anand hamaro," save your own at once, for remembering you brings joy.

The phalashruti (lines 38 to 41). It says that the one on whom this arrow falls, who can save him (read by tradition as a strong warning to the wicked), that one who reads Bajrang Baan will be protected by Hanuman, that ghosts and spirits tremble before the one who recites it, and that one who offers incense and reads it always will have no suffering in the body. These are matters of faith and a devotional focus, not guarantees. The closing doha repeats that one who worships Kapi with love and trust, keeping him in the heart, will have all auspicious tasks completed by Hanuman.

How to read it. Read with a clean body and a calm mind. The hymn is about trust and courage, so read it in that spirit. If you suffer from lasting fear, bad dreams, trauma or anxiety, please also speak to a doctor or a counsellor and keep your prayer alongside that help. See also the Hanuman Chalisa, the Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak and the Ram Chalisa.