Hanumanji Meets His Son

This audio tells you about Hanumanji's meeting with his son, Makaradhwaja.

Hanumanji Meets His Son

Lord Rama gave such a role to Hanumanji that Hanumanji became their lifesaver more than once.

We just saw how Lakshmana was revived with the herbs that Hanumanji brought from the Himalayas. In the battle, both Kumbhakarna and Meghanada had been killed.

On the night of Meghanada's death, suddenly both the Lord and Lakshmana disappeared. They were abducted. Another leela of the Lord.

There was panic—who could abduct the Jagadeeswara? Even otherwise, the camp was under Hanumanji's protection at night. He would extend his tail and make a spiraling fort all around the camp with a single opening, and he would guard that opening himself. Still, they were abducted.

Everyone started wondering, 'How is this possible? Who entered the camp post-sunset?' Only Vibhishana.

Vibhishana came late, and when Hanumanji asked him, Vibhishana said, 'I was meditating and lost track of time.' But Vibhishana insisted, 'No, I was very much inside the camp before sunset only.'

This meant someone entered the camp disguised as Vibhishana and then abducted them. Vibhishana said, 'This is magical power that Daityas, Danavs, and Rakshasas have. But to disguise as me, among Daityas, only Bali and Banasura can do it. Among Danavas, only Maya can do it. And among Rakshasas, only Ravana and Ahiravana can do it.'

'It is not likely that Ravana would venture into the enemy camp himself at this point in time. So, it must be Ahiravana.'

Ahiravana was Ravana's friend and ruled over Pathalaloka. He was a worshiper of Mahakali and had gained great power by performing human sacrifices. Vibhishana told Hanumanji how to reach Ahiravana's Pathalaloka.

When Hanumanji reached there, a vanara was guarding its gate. The vanara offered pranama to Hanumanji.

Hanumanji asked him, 'Who are you, and what is a vanara doing here?'

He said, 'I am Makaradhwaja. I am your son.'

Hanumanji was shocked. 'My son? I am nitya-brahmachari! You must be some mayavi Rakshasa.'

'No, I am really your son. Sage Narada told me about my birth. After Lanka-dahana, when you jumped into the sea to extinguish the fire in your tail, one drop of sweat fell from your body into the sea. It was swallowed by a fish, and that turned into a pregnancy. This fish was caught in the net of Ahiravana's people. It was brought to the kitchen, and when cut open, I was there inside. Ahiravana gave me this duty to guard the main gate of his city.'

Hanumanji asked, 'Did you see anyone from outside being brought here?'

'Yes, two humans were brought here last night—very brilliant. One of them was bluish in color, and the other fair.'

'Now step aside, I have to go inside.'

Makaradhwaja said, 'I will not be dishonest toward my duty. If you want to go inside, you will have to defeat me.'

Hanumanji caught and smashed him on the floor and wrapped him with his own tail, leaving him like a bundle at the main gate.

When Hanumanji went inside, preparations were going on for the sacrifice. He saw Devi Mahakali and asked her, 'How can you permit this?'

She replied, 'I am not permitting anything. I am blessed with the darshana of the Lord and His brother. I am just waiting for Ahiravana to come in and get ready for the sacrifice, to finish him. Now, after seeing you, I think the Lord has some other plan in mind. I am leaving.'

Devi left. Hanumanji assumed her form, the form of her idol, and occupied the peetha. The Lord and Lakshmana were brought, bathed, and anointed to be offered in sacrifice.

Ahiravana came, and when he was about to lift the sword, Hanumanji assumed his original form and, with his own sword, severed Ahiravana's head. Then, after lifting up the Lord and Lakshmana onto his shoulders, he trampled all the Rakshasas in the entire Pathalaloka.

As they came out, the Lord saw Makaradhwaja and told Hanumanji to release him. Then he told Makaradhwaja, 'There is not a single Rakshasa in Pathalaloka. Only the women are left. You marry their daughters, raise children, and re-establish this kingdom. You will be the ruler hereafter.'

In the meantime, Lakshmana asked the Lord, 'How did Hanuman come here?'

The Lord said, 'Don’t you know who he is? He is Rudra. The omnipresent Rudra. He doesn’t have to go anywhere. He is present everywhere.'

Knowledge Bank

Descendents of Makaradhwaja

Jethwa dynasty of Porbandar Gujarat are descendants of Makaradhwaja. Jethidhwaja was the grandson of Makaradhwaja from whom the dynasty acquired its name. They worship Hanumanji and the sign on their flag is also Hanumanji.