June 28, 2013: According to the Hindu Mythology, it is believed that music had originated from Samaveda. Over ages composers praised the Gods through their kritis. On the occasion of Hanuman jayanthi that is celebrated across the state in the month of June, it is apt to make a mention of Lord Hanuman, the deity of power.

Narada Bhakti Suthras define ‘bhakti’ in nine forms which are referred to as ‘Nava vidha bhakti margas’ viz. sravana, keerthana, smarana, padaseva, archana, vandana, dasya, sakhya and atmanivedana. Among these, Lord Hanuman had chosen the way of ‘dasya’. Often, music is chosen as the means for attaining salvation. Lord Hanuman is also worshipped as an incarnation of Lord Shiva who is ‘Nada Swaroopa’. Hymns praise that Hanuman makes his presence at all those places wherever Lord Rama’s samkirthana is made (Yatra yatra raghunadha keerthanam thatra thatra kruthamastakanjalim…).

Sri Purandaradas eulogised Hanuman in number of his kritis which are in Kannada. In one of his kritis which is in Kalyani raaga, Purandaradasa describes the results of serving lord Hanuman, which are most cherished by the mankind. The daring deeds of Lord Hanuman in battle field are unveiled in his kriti , Getthayo Hanumantha in Mohana raga. Annamacharya also had mentioned the greatness and power of Lord Hanuma in his kritis like Arudikapeendruni adhika prathapambu (describing his extraordinary courage) in Kalyani raga, Periginadu choodaro pedda hanumanthudu in Mohana raga and Adechoodaraiah pedda hanumanthuni in Bhowli raga which describes the ‘Viswaroopa’ of Hanuman. Thyagaraja, who is a Rama bhakta, referred to Lord Hanuman as ‘Bhagavattottama’ in his kritis. Paahi Rama dhootha jagath prana kumara in Vasantha varali raga composed by Thyagaraja explains the immense strength of Lord Hanuman in making the impossible things possible.Bantu reethi koluveeyavayya Rama.. Kriti in Hamsanadam ragam discloses the supremacy of the place occupied by Lord Hanuman in the darbar of Lord Rama.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 28, 2013.