All About worshipping Hanuman

As the following mantra indicates, Lord Hanuman provides his devotees with knowledge, power, courage, and health.

Budhdirbalam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatvam arogata
Ajaadtyam vakpatutvam cha hanumat smaranadbhavet

Panchamukhi refers to five faces. According to the scriptures, Lord Hanuman assumed this form to slay Mahiravana, brother of Ravana. Mahiravana was a sorcerer and an ardent devotee of Goddess Mahamaya. Instigated by Ravana, Mahiravana took Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana to Paathaala Loka  and was tempted to sacrifice them to Goddess Mahamaya.To save the divine brothers, Lord Hanuman had to stub out five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously. He therefore assumed the Panchamukha form to win this task.

The Panchamukha form of Lord Hanuman has the following five faces:

1.     Hanuman (a fervent devotee of Lord Rama) – facing the east
2.     Narasimha ( an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed Hiranyakashipu) – facing the south
3.     Garuda ( the mount of Lord Krishna) – facing the west
4.     Varaha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed the demon Hiranyaksha) – facing the north
5.     Hayagriva (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, considered the God of wisdom)– facing upwards

The Panchamukha Hanuman Stuthi is a potent stotra meant to praise each of the five forms. This stotra helps to alleviate troubles and keep evil forces away. It serves as a protection to devotees who chant with utmost faith.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya poorva kapi mukhe
Sakala shatru samhaarnaaya swaaha

• The east facing form of Lord Hanuman protects devotees from problems caused by enemies. He provides happiness and fulfills wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya dakshina mukhe
Karaala vadanaaya Narasimhaaya sakala bhoota praeta pramadanaaya swaaha

• The south facing form of Lord Narasimha removes all types of fear, sins, unfavorable influences of spirits and demons, and fulfills our wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya paschima mukhe
Garudaaya sakala visha haranaaya swaaha

• The west facing form of Lord Garuda removes all types of ailments, negativities, black magic, poison, and fear.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya uthara mukhe
Aadivarahaaya sakala sampatkaraaya swaaha

• The north facing form of Lord Varaha provides the ashta aishwarya (eight different forms of wealth).

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya oordhwa mukhe
Hayagrivaaya sakala jana vasheekaranaaya swaaha

• The upwards facing form of Lord Hayagriva helps devotees attract the goodwill of people. The words of His devotees turn into reality. He bestows them with advancement in seeking knowledge, good company of friends, intelligence, good children, and salvation.

The Panchamukha Hanuman Gayatri can be chanted to overcome obstacles in life.

Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Panchavaktraaya Dheemahi
Tanno Hanumath Prachodayaath

The five forms namely Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva can also be invoked individually by chanting specific Gayatri mantras.

Hanuman Gayatri:
Shree aanjaneyaya vidmahe mahabalaaya dhimahi tanno Kapi prachodayat
Narasimha Gayatri:
Vajranakhaaya vidmahe tikshanadamshtraya dhimahi tanno Narasimha prachodayat
Garuda Gayatri:
Tatpurushaaya vidmahe suvarna pakshaya dhimahi tanno Garudah prachodayat
Varaha Gayatri:
Om dhanurdharaya vidmahe vakradamshyara dhimahi tanno Varaha: prachodayat
Hayagriva Gayatri:
Om vaagishwaraaya vidmahe Hayagrivaaya dhimahi tanno hangsa prachodayaat

If you are troubled by evil influences, and want to seek protection from fears, enemies, and the occult, Panchamukha Hanuman is the God for you. He protects those who seek refuge in Him.