Hari Vayu Stuti Deep-Dive Part 2: The Mighty Deeds of Hanuman and Bhimasena 🚩🦁

First of all, Hi all 👋

Following up on Part 1 of our Hari Vayu Stuti deep-dive, where we established the philosophical framework of Vayu Jivottama and analyzed the protective shield of the Nakha Stuti, we now step into the heart of the stotra's narrative.

Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya dedicates the next phase of the stotra to the physical, historical, and metaphysical exploits of Sri Vayu Devaru's first two incarnations: Hanuman (in the Treta Yuga serving Lord Rama) and Bhimasena (in the Dwapara Yuga serving Lord Krishna).

In this post, we will perform a word-by-word, sentence-by-sentence analysis of Verses 6 to 15. We will explore the scriptural events they reference and uncover the Dvaita philosophy embedded in these poetic verses.

“Vayu's strength is never for self-aggrandizement; it is always the perfect instrument of Sri Hari's supreme will.” 🏹

🐒 Part 2A: The exploits of Sri Hanuman (Verses 6 to 10)

Verse 6: The Blazing Fire in Ravana's Court

Hanuman, captured by the Brahmastra, enters Ravana's court. When they set fire to his tail, he transforms it into a blazing weapon of purification.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

सञ्ज्वलोद्यन्मयूखप्रसरदिनकराग्नेयहेतिप्रभाभा-
कारमुद्यच्छिखं यत्सदसि दशमुखस्योग्रमाविर्बभूव ।
तद्धेत्वाभासभूमौ कनकगृहगणे दाहमुत्पाद्य भूयः
क्रान्तं यद्वैरिसेने प्रतिभटमथने स प्रसीदेद्धनूमान् ॥ ६ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

sañjvalōdyan-mayūkha-prasara-dinakarāgnēya-hēti-prabhābhā-
kāram-udyac-chikhaṃ yat-sadasi daśa-mukhasyōgram-āvirbabhūva |
tad-dhētvābhāsa-bhūmau kanaka-gṛha-gaṇē dāham-utpādya bhūyaḥ |
krāntaṃ yad-vairi-sēnē pratibhaṭa-mathanē sa prasīdēd-dhanūmān || 6 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

sañjvala-udyat-mayūkha-prasara-dinakara-āgnēya-hēti-prabhābhā-ākāram: Possessing a terrifying form that blazed like the rising sun (dinakara), filled with the rays (mayūkha) of fire (āgnēya) and weapons (hēti).
udyat-śikham: Having a rising crest of flame (referring to his burning tail).
sadasi daśa-mukhasya: In the assembly hall (sadasi) of the ten-headed Ravana (daśa-mukha).
ugram āvirbabhūva: Appeared in a fierce, terrifying form.
tat: That tail/flame.
hētu-ābhāsa-bhūmau: In Lanka, which was built on fallacious logic (representing the illusion of materialism).
kanaka-gṛha-gaṇē: Over the cluster of golden palaces (kanaka-gṛha).
dāham utpādya: Causing a massive conflagration (burning them down).
bhūyaḥ krāntam: Further attacked/trampled.
vairi-sēnē: The army of the enemy.
pratibhaṭa-mathanē: In crushing the opposing warriors.
saḥ prasīdēt hanūmān: May that Lord Hanuman be pleased with us and grant his grace.

Bhavartha:

"In the court of the ten-headed Ravana, Hanuman manifested a terrifying form, his tail blazing like the rising sun yoked with fire and celestial weapons. He used that flame to burn down the golden palaces of Lanka—which stood as a monument to materialistic illusion—and then proceeded to trample and crush the enemy forces. May that Lord Hanuman look upon us with favor."

Verse 7: Rescuing Janaki's Hope

Hanuman meets Mother Sita in the Ashoka Vana, presenting Lord Rama's ring and restoring her hope.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

जह्रुः सूर्यातिचण्डप्रततघनमहाधामदीप्तिप्रतापाः
दीर्घा यास्योरुबाहू कनकवलयिनौ संहतावापदेताम् ।
आनन्दं सम्प्रदातुं प्रमतिमुभयतो मुद्रिकां दर्शयन्तौ
जानक्याः शोकवह्निं प्रलयरविमिवापारयन्तौ हरन्तौ ॥ ७ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

jahruḥ sūryāticaṇḍa-pratata-ghana-mahādhāma-dīpti-pratāpāḥ |
dīrghā yāsyōrubāhū kanaka-valayinau saṃhatāvāpadētām |
ānandaṃ sampradātuṃ pramatimubhayatō mudrikāṃ darśayantau |
jānakyāḥ śōkavahniṃ pralaya-ravim-ivāpārayantau harantau || 7 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

sūrya-aticaṇḍa-pratata-ghana-mahādhāma-dīpti-pratāpāḥ: Possessing a splendor that outshone the blazing rays of the fierce midday sun (sūrya-aticaṇḍa).
dīrghāḥ yasya uru-bāhū: Whose long and massive arms (uru-bāhū).
kanaka-valayinau: Adorned with golden armlets (kanaka-valaya).
ānandam sampradātum: To bestow supreme joy.
mudrikām darśayantau: Showing the signet ring of Rama.
jānakyāḥ śōkavahnim: The blazing fire of grief (śōkavahni) of Janaki (Sita).
pralaya-ravim-iva: Like the sun of the cosmic dissolution (pralaya-ravi).
harantau: Removing / extinguishing.

Bhavartha:

"Hanuman's long, powerful arms, adorned with golden armlets and shining with a brilliance outshining the midday sun, stretched out to show the signet ring to Janaki. By doing so, he extinguished her immense fire of grief—which was as fierce as the sun of cosmic destruction—and filled her heart with boundless joy. May those protective arms guard us."

Verse 8: The Slaying of Aksha and the Burning of Lanka

Hanuman destroys the groves of Lanka, slays Ravana's son Aksha Kumara, and humbles the pride of the demons.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

ध्वस्ताशोकातिमोदप्रमदवनमहासेतुसेकातिवेगः
क्षोभी वेश्माकुलानामतिभयजनकोऽक्षप्रमन्दी कुमारे ।
लङ्कामुत्कादमार्गो लवणजलनिधिं लीलया यो व्यतारीत्
सोऽयं सन्नायकः नो विसृजतु मतिं मन्दतायां मनस्वी ॥ ८ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

dhvastāśōkātimōda-pramadavana-mahāsētusēkātivēgaḥ |
kṣōbhī vēśmākulānām-atibhayajanakō'kṣapramandī kumārē |
laṅkāmutkādamārgō lavaṇajalanidhiṃ līlayā yō vyatārīt |
sō'yaṃ sannāyakaḥ nō visṛjatu matiṃ mandatāyāṃ manasvī || 8 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

dhvasta-aśōka-pramadavana: Destroying the Ashoka grove that was Ravana's pride.
kṣōbhī vēśma-ākulānām: Causing panic among the residents of Lanka's mansions.
atibhaya-janakaḥ: Inspiring supreme fear in the hearts of the demons.
akṣa-pramandī kumārē: The slayer of Ravana's heroic son, Aksha Kumara.
laṅkām utkāda-mārgaḥ: Setting Lanka on fire.
lavaṇa-jalanidhim līlayā vyatārīt: Who leaped across the salty ocean (lavaṇa-jalanidhi) as if it were a simple play (līlayā).
saḥ ayam sat-nāyakaḥ: May that noble leader (sat-nāyaka).
naḥ visṛjatu matim mandatāyām: Banish all dullness and sluggishness (mandatā) from our minds (matim).

Bhavartha:

"He who uprooted the pride of Lanka's Ashoka grove, struck terror into the hearts of the demon citizens, slew Ravana's son Aksha Kumara, set the city ablaze, and crossed the vast ocean as easily as if it were a small puddle—may that noble leader of ours, Sri Hanuman, banish all intellectual dullness from our minds."

Verse 9: Bringing the Sanjeevani Mountain

When Lakshmana and the Vanara army fell on the battlefield, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas and carried the entire Gandhamadhana mountain back to save them.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

संभृत्याद्रिं ससंज्ञं प्रतिभटनिहतं लक्ष्मणं प्राणदात्रीं
आनिन्ये योऽतिवेगो हरिवरवलयो भेषजं दिव्यवीर्यम् ।
शल्यं कृच्छ्रं प्रणुद्य प्रमदमुदहरत् रामचन्द्रस्य भूयः
स प्राणः प्राणभर्ता जनयतु कुशलं भूयसो भूतये नः ॥ ९ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

saṃbhṛtyādriṃ sasañjñaṃ pratibhaṭanihataṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ prāṇadātrīṃ |
āninyē yō'tivēgō harivaravalayō bhēṣajaṃ divyavīryam |
śalyaṃ kṛcchraṃ praṇudya pramadamudaharat rāmacandrasya bhūyaḥ |
sa prāṇaḥ prāṇabhartā janayatu kuśalaṃ bhūyasō bhūtayē naḥ || 9 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

saṃbhṛtya adrim: Carrying the mountain (Gandhamadhana).
pratibhaṭa-nihatam lakṣmaṇam: Lakshmana, who was struck down by the enemy Indrajit's weapon (pratibhaṭa-nihata).
prāṇa-dātrīm āninyē: Brought the life-giving (prāṇa-dātrī) herbs.
ativēgaḥ harivara-valayaḥ: Flying with lightning speed surrounded by the best of monkeys (harivara).
bhēṣajam divya-vīryam: The medicine of divine potency (divya-vīrya).
śalyam kṛcchram praṇudya: Removing the painful weapon (arrow) and agony.
pramadam udaharat rāmacandrasya: Restoring absolute joy (pramada) to Lord Ramachandra.
saḥ prāṇaḥ prāṇabhartā: May that Lord Mukhyaprana, the supporter of our life-force (prāṇabhartā).
janayatu kuśalam: Grant us ultimate well-being (kuśalam).

Bhavartha:

"He who flew with unmatched speed and carried the Gandhamadhana mountain containing divine herbs to revive Lakshmana and the fallen monkey hosts, thereby removing the painful arrows of grief from Lord Ramachandra and restoring joy to His heart—may that Lord Mukhyaprana, who is the protector of our life-force, grant us spiritual well-being."

Verse 10: The Eternal Embrace

Having completed his divine mission, Hanuman returns to Lord Rama and receives the ultimate reward: the Lord's tight embrace, representing the union of Devotee and Deity.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

कारुण्यात् कालमेघप्रतिमतनुरुचः श्रीपतेर्यः प्रसादं
लब्ध्वा सर्वं तदाज्ञाकृतदतिनिपुणः स्वामिनो दिव्ययोगः ।
भुक्त्वा भोगान् विचित्रानेतरनृपतिसुलभान् दिव्यदेही ह्यनेकान्
साकं साकेतनाथं परमनिकेतनं सम्प्रयातो ध्रुवोऽस्तु ॥ १० ॥

IAST Transliteration:

kāruṇyāt kālamēghapratimatanurucaḥ śrīpatēryaḥ prasādaṃ |
labdhvā sarvaṃ tadājñākṛtadatinipuṇaḥ svāminō divyayōgaḥ |
bhuktvā bhōgān vicitrānētaranṛpatisulabhān divyadēhī hyanēkān |
sākaṃ sākētanāthaṃ paramanikētanaṃ samprayātō dhruvō'stu || 10 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

kāruṇyāt: Out of mercy.
kālamēgha-pratima-tanurucaḥ: Possessing a dark complexion like a rain-bearing cloud (kālamēgha - referring to Lord Rama).
śrīpatēḥ: Of the Lord of Lakshmi (Sri Rama).
prasādam labdhvā: Having obtained the supreme grace.
tat-ajñā-kṛt ati-nipuṇaḥ: Highly skilled in executing all commands of the Lord.
divyadēhī: Possessing a divine, non-material body (divya-deha).
sākam sākēta-nātham: Along with the Lord of Saketa (Ayodhya - Lord Rama).
parama-nikētanam samprayātaḥ: Reached the supreme abode of Vaikuntha.
dhruvaḥ astu: May he grant us unshakeable stability in devotion.

Bhavartha:

"Having obtained the compassionate grace of Lord Rama—whose form shines like a dark rain cloud—Hanuman served Him with flawless devotion and skill. Possessing a divine, immortal body, he enjoyed spiritual delights unavailable to any earthly king, and eventually returned to the supreme spiritual abode alongside his Master. May he bless us with unshakeable devotion."

⚔️ Part 2B: The exploits of Sri Bhimasena (Verses 11 to 15)

Verse 11: The Indestructible Child

Praising Bhima's early childhood. The Kauravas poisoned his food and threw him into the Ganges, but he overcame the venom and returned with ten-fold strength.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

बाल्येऽप्यत्यद्भुतौजाः बलमथनमहान्तं महीं पादघाताद्
कृत्वोत्थानाभिलाषं कुरुपतिसुतविषादग्न्युदन्वारिधोरात् ।
मुक्त्वाऽक्षोभ्यः सुपर्वप्रवरबलहरो भीमकर्मा कुरुणाम्
सादं योऽदादरातिप्रतततनुमहो भीमसैनः स नोऽव्यात् ॥ ११ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

bālyē'pyatyadbhutaujāḥ balamathanamahāntaṃ mahīṃ pādaghātād |
kṛtvōtthānābhilāṣaṃ kurupatisutaviṣādagn-yudanvāridhōrāt |
muktvā'kṣōbhyaḥ suparvapravarabalaharō bhīmakarmā kuruṇām |
sādaṃ yō'dādarātipratatatanumahō bhīmasainaḥ sa nō'vyāt || 11 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

bālyē api: Even in his early childhood.
aty-adbhuta-ōjāḥ: Possessing extraordinarily wonderful strength and energy.
mahīm pāda-ghātāt kṛtvā: Shaking the earth (mahīm) with the stamp of his feet (pāda-ghātāt).
kurupatisuta-viṣa-agni-udan-vāri-dhōrāt: Surviving the poison (viṣa), fire (agni), deep waters (vāri), and binding chains engineered by the son of the Kuru king (Duryodhana).
akṣōbhyaḥ: Unshakeable / undisturbed.
bhīmakarmā: Performer of heroic, terrifying deeds.
kuruṇām sādam yaḥ adāt: Who brought destruction and despair to the Kauravas.
bhīmasainaḥ saḥ naḥ avyāt: May that Lord Bhimasena protect us.

Bhavartha:

"Even in his childhood, Bhima shook the earth with the mere stamp of his feet. Unmoved and unshakeable, he easily survived the poison, fire, and deep waters planned by Duryodhana, and returned to deal despair to the Kaurava hosts. May that mighty Bhimasena protect us."

Verse 12: Slaying of Bakasura and Hidimba

Bhima protects the sages and citizens by destroying the man-eating demons Hidimba and Bakasura.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

भूत्वा क्षेमाय भूमेः कुमतिविहतये रक्षसां भीमरूपं
हत्वा युद्धे हिडिम्बं बकमपि विमलं ब्रह्मघोषं चकर्थ ।
चक्रायां कूपमार्गे प्रमदमुदहरत् विप्रसङ्घस्य भूयः
स व्याक्रन्दद्विहस्य प्रधनभुवि महान् भीमसैनः स नोऽव्यात् ॥ १२ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

bhūtvā kṣēmāya bhūmēḥ kumativihatayē rakṣasāṃ bhīmarūpaṃ |
hatvā yuddhē hiḍimbaṃ bakam-api vimalaṃ brahmaghōṣaṃ cakartha |
cakrāyāṃ kūpamārgē pramadamudaharat viprasaṅghasya bhūyaḥ |
sa vyākrōśad-vihasya pradhana-bhuvi mahān bhīmasainaḥ sa nō'vyāt || 12 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

kṣēmāya bhūmēḥ: For the welfare and peace of the Earth.
kumati-vihatayē: For the destruction of evil-minded doctrines.
rakṣasām bhīmarūpam hatvā: Slaying the terrifying demons (Hidimba and Bakasura).
vimalam brahmaghōṣam cakartha: Restoring the pure chanting of the Vedas (brahmaghōṣam) which had been stopped by the demons.
cakrāyām: In the town of Ekachakra.
pramadam udaharat viprasaṅghasya: Restoring absolute happiness to the Brahmana community (viprasaṅgha).

Bhavartha:

"Slaying the bloodthirsty demons Hidimba and Bakasura, Bhima restored the chanting of the sacred Vedas in the town of Ekachakra, relieving the Brahmana community of their constant fear and bringing peace back to the earth. May that savior, Bhimasena, protect us."

Verse 13: Slaying of Jarasandha

Bhima defeats the tyrant Jarasandha in a wrestling duel, splitting his body and releasing twenty thousand imprisoned kings.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

राज्ञः सम्प्रद्यमानं रणशिरसि बलान्मल्लयुद्धेन भग्नं
कृत्वा देहं द्विभागं हरिमभिजगतो वीक्ष्य शङ्कामुपेताः ।
बद्धाः बन्धं व्यमुञ्चन् द्व्ययुतपरिमितं भूमिपालाननेकान्
शत्रून् भूयो निहत्य प्रमदमुदहरत् स प्रसीदेत् स भीमः ॥ १३ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

rājñaḥ sampradyamānaṃ raṇa-śirasi balān-malla-yuddhēna bhagnaṃ |
kṛtvā dēhaṃ dvibhāgaṃ harim-abhijagatō vīkṣya śaṅkām-upētāḥ |
baddhāḥ bandhaṃ vyamuñcan dvyayuta-parimitaṃ bhūmipālān-anēkān |
śatrūn bhūyō nihatyā pramadam-udaharat sa prasīdēt sa bhīmaḥ || 13 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

rājñaḥ (jarāsandhasya): Of king Jarasandha.
mallayuddhēna bhagnam kṛtvā: Shattering him in wrestling combat (malla-yuddha).
dēham dvibhāgam kṛtvā: Splitting his body into two halves.
baddhāḥ bandham vyamuñcan: Releasing from chains the bound ones.
dvyayuta-parimitam bhūmipālān: Over twenty thousand (dvyayuta - 20,000) kings.
saḥ prasīdēt saḥ bhīmaḥ: May that Bhimasena be pleased with us.

Bhavartha:

"Tearing the tyrant Jarasandha in half during wrestling combat in front of Lord Krishna, Bhima broke the chains of twenty thousand kings Jarasandha had imprisoned for sacrifice, returning them to their kingdoms and restoring dharma. May that mighty Bhima be pleased with us."

Verse 14: Slaying of Keechaka

Bhima disguises himself to slay the lustful Keechaka and his brothers, defending Draupadi's honor during the Pandavas' exile in incognito.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

कीचकान् प्रधनभुवि निहत्य सङ्ख्ये कृतान्तरूपो
द्रौपदीं परिषस्वजे यः प्रमदमुदहरत् वीक्ष्य लज्जां व्यपोह्य ।
कीचकानां सुहृद्वर्गं सममथ निहत्य भूयः प्रतिज्ञां
अदीनः पालयित्वा स भवतु भगवन् भूरिमे भूतये नः ॥ १४ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

kīcakān pradhana-bhuvi nihatya saṅkhyē kṛtāntarūpō |
draupadīṃ pariṣasvajē yaḥ pramadam-udaharat vīkṣya lajjāṃ vyapōhya |
kīcakānāṃ suhṛdvargaṃ samam-atha nihatya bhūyō pratijñāṃ |
adīnaḥ pālayitvā sa bhavatu bhagavan bhūrimē bhūtayē naḥ || 14 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

kīcakān nihatya: Slaying Keechaka and his brothers.
kṛtāntarūpaḥ: Manifesting like Yama (Death personified).
draupadīm pariṣasvajē: Embraced Draupadi (consoling her and restoring her honor).
pramadam udaharat: Brought supreme happiness.
pratijñām adīnaḥ pālayitvā: Fulfilling his solemn oath to destroy those who insulted her.

Bhavartha:

"Appearing like Yama himself, Bhima crushed the wicked Keechaka and his associates in the wrestling hall, wiping away Draupadi's tears and restoring her honor while fulfilling his vow. May that protector of the righteous grant us abundance."

Verse 15: Slaying the Krodhavasha Demons

To fulfill Draupadi's wish for the divine Saugandhika lotus flowers, Bhima traveled to Alakapuri, routed Kubera's demon army, and brought the flowers back.

Sanskrit (Devanagari):

क्रुध्यन्तं भीमसेनं प्रतिभटनिहतं क्रोधावशाननेकान्
हत्वा युद्धेऽतिवेगो हरिवरवलयो भेषजं दिव्यवीर्यम् ।
कृत्वोत्थानाभिलाषं कुबेरं वीक्ष्य शङ्कामुपेतान्
शत्रुसङ्घाः प्रणेशुः स भवतु भगवन् भूरिमे भूतये नः ॥ १५ ॥

IAST Transliteration:

krudhyantaṃ bhīmasēnaṃ pratibhaṭanihataṃ krōdhāvaśānanēkān |
hatvā yuddhē'tivēgō harivaravalayō bhēṣajaṃ divyavīryam |
kṛtvōtthānābhilāṣaṃ kubēraṃ vīkṣya śaṅkām-upētān |
śatru-saṅghāḥ praṇēśuḥ sa bhavatu bhagavan bhūrimē bhūtayē naḥ || 15 ||

Pada-vigraha:

Shabdartha:

krōdhāvaśān anēkān hatvā: Slaying the numerous Krodhavasha demons (who guarded the lake).
kubēram vīkṣya: Confronting Kubera (the god of wealth).
śaṅkām-upētān śatru-saṅghāḥ praṇēśuḥ: The remaining enemies fled in terror upon witnessing Bhima's fury.

Bhavartha:

"Slaying the Krodhavasha demons who guarded the sacred lotus ponds of Alakapuri, Bhima confronted Kubera and secured the divine Saugandhika lotuses, routing the opposing armies. May that heroic Bhimasena protect us and bestow spiritual wealth."

🪔 Summary of Part 2

In these verses (6 to 15), Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya highlights:

Hanuman's Service (6–10): Focusing on the destruction of Lanka's pride (representing materialism) and the restoration of Sita's faith (representing the jiva's link to the divine).
Bhimasena's Protection (11–15): Illustrating Bhima's role as the physical protector of the devotees. By vanquishing Hidimba, Bakasura, Jarasandha, and Keechaka, he removes the obstacles of evil and tyranny, allowing the light of Veda-ghosha (spiritual studies) to shine once more.

In the next part, we will look at Verses 16 to 25, focusing on Bhima's role in the Kurukshetra war and the initial presentation of Vayu's third incarnation as Sri Madhvacharya.

🙏 Srimad-Ananda-Teertha-Bhagavadpadacharya-Gurubhyo-Namaha.
Dedicated to the glory of Sri Hari and Vayu Devaru. 🚩

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Hari Vayu Stuti Deep-Dive Part 2: The Mighty Deeds of Hanuman and Bhimasena

TL;DR