The Kalyana-Kalpataru Hanuman-Number (1992): A Spiritual Treasure For Hanuman Bhaktas

Thirty years ago 'Kalyana Kalpataru' the monthly English magazine of Gita Press Gorakhpur brought out a special volume on Hanuman. It contained sixty four articles (which also included popular prayer verses translated and also a poem) on Hanuman by various experts - from modern historians to traditional Vedic scholars. It is a treasure for every Hanuman Bhakta to keep. It also contained six colour plates.

Spread over 380 pages and with a proud ethical proclamation that commercial advertisements are not accepted, the magazine number immediately communicates to the reader that what he or she is holding is something immensely sacred. The book also contains benedictory messages from the four Shankaracharyas.

Here are presented a few excerpts from the magazine.

In his essay 'Hanuman the Ideal Devotee', late Sri Jayadayalji Goyandhka gives this wonderful passage from Valmiki Ramayana that describes the gigantic form Hanuman assumed before he leapt for serving Sri Rama:

There is also an article by Sri Hanumanprasad Poddar, the Gandhian who was also one of the trustees of Gita Press. It explores the dimension of Hanuman as an extraordinary musician.

When Hanuman began to sing, Sankara was so much lost in that music that He reclined and placed His feet on Hanuman. Sri Poddar now writes what Vishnu Hari Himself said seeing the scene:

In another essay which speaks of Hanuman as the model for mankind, Rajendra Behari Lal writes:

It is not only devotional aspect that has been taken into account in this volume. RP Saxena's paper 'Hanuman and Vrishakapi' should be a very important paper for anyone who wants to understand the multilayer meanings and associations that Hanuman accommodates within Himself.

Here is an extract to show the in-depth nature of the paper which is a rigorous research work while also without diminishing in anyway the sacredness of the mighty Hanuman:

He bravely concludes that Virkshakapi in Rig Veda as a star of the universe and 'birth of Hanuman as the birth of an astronomical body.' The book also contains a Sahasranama - one thousand names of Hanuman with their English meaning.

Tamaraparani K Narasimhan's 'Sri Hanuman in the Vedas' and 'Hanuman in Rig Veda' by PS Seshagiri Rao deal with mainly Madhva understanding of the Vedic texts which bring out His presence in them.

The latter article argues with considerable convincing power that Hanuman is Mukhyaprana. Hanuman did great deed in Ramayana - from facing Ravana single handedly to bringing the life-giving mountain to the battle field:

Hanuman in Tantras, Hanuman in Vinaya Patrika, Hanuman in devotional literatures, Hanuman temples in various parts of India - these are all some of the topics covered in this volume.

There is an article on how Swami Vivekananda set Veera Hanuman as the model for the youth to serve Mother India and another on Jain veneration of Hanuman. There are two numismatic articles dealing with Hanuman depiction in coins.

Thus, this volume of Kalyana Kalpataru, published by Gita Press thirty years ago in 1992, is a spiritual treasure for Hanuman Bhaktas and also for all students of Indian culture and spirituality. The number also shows how good scholarship and heartful Bhakti can go hand in hand without antagonising but complementing each other.

It does not matter whether one agrees with all the values and worldviews that Gita Press and Kalyana Kalpataru advocate. But as an institution there can be no exaggeration in their positive contribution to strengthening and disseminating such important aspects of our spiritual culture.

Also Read: Gita Press: A Century Of Serving The Cause Of Sanatana Dharma