Saturday, March 17, 2012

Hanuman - An Introduction

In a caste-ridden society like India, the affection of the high born prince Rama for a lowly but devoted monkey fired the imagination of people...

Hanuman's 'monkeyness' ensures that his awesome power does not intimidate. He is earthy and tangible not ethereal or transcendent. Through him, the divine comes within reach. Hence, the popular North Indian saying: first Hanuman, then God, pahle Hanuman, phir Bhagvan.

- From Hanuman - An Introduction by Dr Devdutt Pattanaik.