Panchmukhi Hanuman (the five-faced Anjaneya) is a popular form of Lord Hanuman. This form of Hanuman is believed to be very powerful and to bless the devotees with all kinds of good and removes the negativity.
As the name suggests, he is five-faced; his five faces are Hanuman, Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda, and Hayagriva. He has ten hands and holds various weapons in them. Each of the Panchamukha Anjaneya’s mukha faces different directions, denoting a special significance. More details are below.
Sri Hanuman’s face looks East. He grants purity of mind and success.
The Narasimha face faces South. He blesses victory and fearlessness.
The West-facing Garuda face safeguards against black magic and poisons.
The North-facing Varaha face showers wealth, fame, and prosperity
The Hayagriva face looks upwards, the Sky. He blesses with knowledge and progeny.
Though the Hayagriva mukha faces upwards, to make the Hayagriva mukha visible to the devotees, the face is usually tilted and shown above Hanuman’s face in sculptures and drawings.
Manifestation of the Panchmukhi Hanuman
The reason behind Lord Hanuman taking the form of Panchamukha Anjaneya is very interesting; this legend is not found in Valmiki Ramayana but is mentioned in the Krittivasi Ramayana.
During the last stages of his battle with Lord Rama, Ravana lost much of his kin and army. Ram and Lakshman killed his sons, including Meghna and brother Kumbhkaran. To prevent further setbacks, Ravana decided to take the help of his step-brother Ahiravana, the king of Patal-Loka (underworld).
Ahiravana came to the Ravana’s rescue; he disguised himself as Vibhishana, abducted Lord Rama and Lakshmana from the battlefield, and took them to the patal-Loka.
When Hanuman came to know about the incident, he entered Patal-Loka to bring back Ram and Lakshman. During his search, he found out that the life of Ahiravana is hidden in the five lamps. The five lamps faced different directions. Ahiravana had received the boon that he could be killed when all the five lamps are extinguished simultaneously.
To kill Ahiravana, Hanuman took the Panchamukha Anjaneya form featuring the faces of Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha apart from his face. He then went towards the five lamps that were facing different directions and extinguished them simultaneously using his five faces. Ahiravana lost all his powers now and was killed by Hanuman.
It is generally believed that the place where Hanuman appeared in his five-faced form is Mantralayan, Karnataka. Here a Panchamukha Hanuman shrine is built. Hanuman appeared in the Pancha Mukha form before Shrimad Raghavendra, a renowned Dwaitha saint, who observed penance at the very same place for twelve years.
Significance Of Panchamukhi Hanuman
Sri Hanuman is a great devotee of Shri Rama and symbolizes strength, bravery, and courage. He played a very significant role in Ramayana.
Hanuman is worshipped in several forms
- Bala Hanuman – as a child
- Veera Hanuman – as the one who carried Sanjeevi parvad
- Bhakta Hanuman – as the one praying to Lord Hanuman
- Gnana Hanuman – holding rosary beads and sacred texts
- Veena hanuman – the one holding veena and singing the Ram Naam
- Panchamukhi Hanuman – the one with five faces
Of the above forms, the Panchamukhi Hanuman is more powerful because, along with his powers, he also has the powers of Lord Hayagriva, Varaha, Narasimha, and Garuda. It was through this form he saved the danger that occurred to Ram and Lakshman.
Devotion towards Panchmukhi Hanuman
Devotees can recite Hanuman Chalisa and Panchamukha Hanuman Kavach Mantra to receive the blessings of the Lord. Reading Sundara Kanda also will please Panchamukhi Hanuman.
Benefits of Worshiping Panchmukhi Hanuman
The worship of Panchamukha Hanuman brings many benefits to the devotees.
- Panchamukha Anjaneya saves devotees from all the accidents occurring through Five natural elements (Air, Sky, Water, Fire, and Earth).
- One’s mind will turn pure by worshipping this powerful archetype.
- A devotee praying to this form of Hanuman is blessed with success and fearlessness.
- The grace of Panchamukhi Hanuman will safeguard a devotee from Black magic and poison.
- The knowledge and wisdom of a person will grow by surrendering to the Lord.
- Fame and name will come easily to the one worshipping Lord Panchamukha Hanuman.
- Hanuman is a great devotee of Lord Ram and Sita, so praying to him will bring you their blessings too.
Panchmukhi Hanuman Kavach
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Kavach is a powerful yantra used in the worship of Panchamukhi Hanuman. The Panchmukhi Hanuman beej mantra and his image are engraved on this yantra. Devotees may wear Panchmukhi Hanuman Kavach as a pendant or keep its painting or photo at home or office.
You may also keep the Panchmukhi Hanuman photo at home or office. It will protect you from evil and destructive forces and will remove the Vaastu Doshas.
Panchamukhi Hanuman Stotras
Here are some of the popular Stotras and mantras of Panchamukhi Hanuman that is chanted while invoking him.
Panchmukhi Hanuman Dhyana Mantra
“Panchasyachutamaneka vichitra veeryam |
Sri shanka chakra ramaniya bhujagra desam ||
Peethambaram makara kundala noopurangam |
Dhyayethitam kapivaram hruthi bhvayami” ||
Panchmukhi Hanuman Stuti
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Stuti is a popular stotra praising each of the five faces of the Lord. Chanting this stotra will alleviate troubles and keep the evil forces away. It serves as armor to devotees who chant it with utmost faith.
Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya poorva kapi mukhe
Sakala shatru samhaarnaaya swaaha
Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya dakshina mukhe
Karaala vadanaaya Narasimhaaya sakala bhoota praeta pramadanaaya swaaha
Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya paschima mukhe
Garudaaya sakala visha haranaaya swaaha
Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya uthara mukhe
Aadivarahaaya sakala sampatkaraaya swaaha
Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya oordhwa mukhe
Hayagrivaaya sakala jana vasheekaranaaya swaaha
Meaning:
The East facing face of Lord Hanuman protects devotees from problems caused by enemies. He provides happiness and fulfills wishes.’
The South facing face of Lord Narasimha removes all types of fear, sins, unfavorable influences of spirits and demons and fulfills our wishes.
The west-facing face of Lord Garuda removes all types of ailments, negativities, black magic, poison, and fear.
The north-facing face of Lord Varaha provides the ashta Aishwarya (eight different forms of wealth).
The upwards-facing face 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.
Panchmukhi Hanuman Gayatri Mantra
“Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Panchavaktraaya Dheemahi
Tanno Hanumath Prachodayaath”
Surender to Panchamukha Hanuman, the highest form of Anjaneya, and be free from fear and despair. May he bless you all with success and good health.
« Significance and Benefits of Rudraksha Important Predictions of Bharani Nakshatra in Astrology »
