Recently, I happened to come across a short by Sri. Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu, on what we should recite when we visit Lord Hanuman Temple.
This took me back to 1970s, a good 54 yrs, when I was a 7 year old.
We were residing in 116, 5th Cross, Jayanagar 1st Block, Bangalore.
During this period, a comet appeared in the eastern horizon. It was like, if we opened our main door, the comet would be clearly visible. Now, in 1970’s, in Jayanagar 1st block, the neighborhood was still traditional, and largely superstitious.
A rumor was circulated that a popular leader would be assassinated. Some people said more leaders will die.
I do not know why, but I think the complete lack of logic scared me. I was just unable to accept that anyone can die when a comet comes around.
I used to be so scared that I stopped going to the toilet alone.
Observing this, my mother suggested that I recite Anjaneya Dandakam. It goes like this “Anjeneyam Prasanna Anjeneyam, Bhaje Vayu Putram..”.
She also added, recite it for some time, you will get over it. I suspect, considering her many tips and advice in later years, what she meant was, fear is a passing phase. Just wait it out. That was not a trick question, it was a trick answer!
Meanwhile, my fascination for the Hanuman character grew, as my dear mother filled the house with comics. And, Amar Chitra Katha’s Hanuman Comic was one such. This was probably the first comic I read. And, the opening pages narrate a story wherein young Lord Hanuman reaches out to the Sun, thinking it is a fruit! Such beautiful innocence.
And, 1975 movie by Bapu and Rammana, Muthyala Muggu, nudged my fascination to grow further. I liked that Lord Hanuman is visible only to one character in the movie and not to others. A secret power! I was 12 years old.
And, my fascination transformed into admiration of Lord Hanuman, as I saw him as a character who was special because he was achievement motivated in the midst of fight for Kingdoms and Thrones. This happened as I used to read KM Munshi’s Ramayan almost every night before going to sleep.
Secretly, I wanted to be like him, devoid of selfishness and insecurity, and in pursuit of achievement and willing to take risks!
