Behind every great being is a mother. Lord Hanuman’s mother was Anjana Devi — a celestial apsara (divine nymph) whose story of devotion, penance, and divine grace is an inspiration in its own right.
Who Was Anjana?
Anjana was an apsara (celestial nymph) in the heavenly realms. According to the Puranas, she was cursed by a sage and was born on earth as a female vanara (monkey) — though she retained her human intelligence and divine beauty. She became the wife of Kesari, a noble vanara chief.
Her Penance
Anjana longed for a child of extraordinary divine power. She performed intense tapasya (penance) for many years — fasting, meditating, and praying to Lord Shiva. Her devotion was absolute. The wind god Vayudeva was moved by her penance and by Shiva’s direction, placed a portion of divine energy into the food in Anjana’s hands.
When Anjana consumed this divine offering, she became pregnant with Lord Hanuman — simultaneously the biological son of Kesari, the divine son of Vayudeva, and an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself.
Anjana’s Love and Hanuman’s Blessing
One of the most touching stories in the Ramayana is Hanuman returning to his mother after helping Ram defeat Ravan. Anjana, overjoyed, asked Hanuman to stay with her. Hanuman replied with words that have echoed through devotion for millennia: “Wherever Ram’s name is sung, I am there. I cannot be bound even by a mother’s love — for Ram’s work is eternal and I am his eternal servant.”
Anjana blessed her son and declared: “Just as I could not be separated from you, no devotee who calls your name with true love shall be separated from you either.”
Where is Anjana Venerated?
- Anjaneri Hill, Nashik, Maharashtra — Believed to be Hanuman’s birthplace; a cave here is said to be Anjana’s dwelling during her penance
- Anjani Mata Temple, Jaipur — Dedicated to Anjana Devi
- Kishkindha (Hampi, Karnataka) — Ancient vanara kingdom; nearby Anjanadri Hill is also claimed as Hanuman’s birthplace
Jai Anjani ke Lal! Jai Bajrang Bali!