Shri Panchamukhi Hanuman worship, rituals, significance and

powerful moola mantras and sadhana

Shri Hanumanji or the devout of Shri Rama, the embodiment of strenght,valor and courage is born of our epics to inspire in
us the urge to stand up to our daily challenges and face lifes hurdles, difficulties, enemies and other not-so good factors
with equal mental strength and courage.
Shri Panchamukha Hanuman is one of the most important upasana deity of our Guru Parampara. Inspite of rapid strides in
technology, there is a growing insecurity for the average human being, both at emotional and physical levels. Sri
Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami promises this security to all devotees.
Every Face of Shri Panchamukha Hanuman has significance

Sri Hanuman faces East. He grants purity of mind and success.

The Narasimha faces South. He grants victory and fearlessness.

The West facing Garuda removes black magic and poisons.

The North facing Varaha, showers prosperity, wealth.

The Hayagriva mukha faces the Sky. But since we cannot see it, it is usually tilted and shown above Hanumans
face. Hayagriva gives knowledge and good children.

Shri Panchamukhi Hanuman 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 (the nether-world) 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.
This Kavacham is addressed to this fierce form of Hanuman. To tell the fact as I understood, it is not Sthothra in the normal
sense of theword. It gives large amount of Tantric manthras aimed at protection. Some people believe that this sloka should
not be recited but used to worship the Five Faced Hanuman.
It is written at the end of the stotra that it was taught by Rama to Sita as per her request. But the first few lines show that
this is a version was taught by Garuda, where he mentions that it was created by the Lord of Lords.

The Dhyana sloka of Shri Panchamukha Hanuman is

Panchasyachutamaneka vichitra veeryam |
Sri shanka chakra ramaniya bhujagra desam ||
Peethambaram makara kundala noopurangam |
Dhyayethitam kapivaram hruthi bhvayami ||

The face towards the East is Sri Hanuman Mukha in its original form. This face removes all blemishes of sin and
confers purity of mind (Chitta Suddhi).

Sri Karala Ugravira Narasimha Swami, facing the South, removes fear of enemies and confers victory.

The face facing the west is that of Lord Shri Mahavira Garuda and this face drives away evil spells, black magic
influences etc and removes all poisonous effects in ones body.

Sri Lakshmi Varaha murthi facing the North wards off the troubles caused by bad influences of the planets and
confers all prosperity-Ashta Aishwarya.

The Urdhva Mukha Facing upwards of Sri Hayagriva Swami confers knowledge, victory, good wife and progeny.

Sindhoor (Vermillion) is a modified version of saffron made into a paste which is commonly found applied in Lord Hanuman
temples. The colour morphs into a deep red which symbolizes the immense strength of Lord Hanuman and is the colour
also of boldness. What better attribute can describe the divine strength and courage of the Vayuputra. Also the colour red
signifies the muladhara chakra (the very first chakra in the human body ) and it is the basis of the survival instinct and
deep rooted fear complexes. Gazing at this deep red releives some of the fears and hence that is why the Lord of courage
Lord Hanuman is painted a deep red colour in temples.
The application of the Hanuman sindhoor reminds us to never give up and fight with lifes problems with renewed vigour. It
is the colour of the warriors.
Maruti as the servitor (Dasmaruti) and Maruti as the courageous one (Virmaruti):
Hanuman has two forms namely Maruti as the servitor and Maruti as the courageous one.
The servitor form is the one in which Hanuman stands in front of Rama with His hands folded in obeisance, His tail resting
on the ground.
The stance of Maruti as the courageous one is that of one ready for battle. His tail is upright and His right hand is turned
towards His head. Sometimes even a demon crushed under His feet is depicted. To overcome problems of possession,
black magic, etc. Maruti as the courageous one is worshipped.

Maruti with five faces (Panchmukhi Maruti):

One finds quite a few idols of the five-faced Maruti. The five faces are of an eagle (garud), a boar (varaha), a hayagriv, a
lion and a monkey. The idol has ten arms wielding a flag, a sword, a noose, etc. One explanation for the five faces of a deity
is that the deity keeps vigilance and has control over the five directions north, south, east, west and the upward
direction/zenith.
Maruti is worshipped in the context of energy for the following reasons.

To overcome distressing energy: To overcome problems due to spirits, black magic, ancestors subtle bodies,
suffering due to Shani, etc.

To control pleasant energy: If there is any obstacle in the pathway of the activated kundalini (spiritual energy)
then to overcome it and channelise it appropriately.

Ritualistic worship (puja)

Popular worship: In Maharashtra on the full moon day (pournima) of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra Hanumans
birthday (Jayanti) is celebrated. In Maharashtra, Saturday is considered as an auspicious day for His worship. In the rest
of India, Saturday and Tuesday both are considered as auspicious days for His worship. On these days people offer
Him sindur and jasmine/ chameli oil.
In some places coconuts are offered.
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

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 Shri 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.
Om Hreem Hari Markat Markataya Swaha ||
Om Hreem Hari Markat Markataya Vam Vam Vam Vam Vam Vowst Swaha ||
Om Hreem Hari Markat MarkatayaFum Fum Fum Fum Fum Futt Swaha ||
Om Hreem Hari Markat Mum-kartayaKhun Khun Khun Khun Khun Maranaya Swaha ||
Om Hreem Hari Markat MarkatayaThun Thun Thun Thun Thun Stamba-Naya Swaha ||

Om Hreem Hari Markat MarkatayaDone Done Done Done Done AakarshanayaSakal Samapta Kaaraya Panchmukhi Veer
Hanumathay Par Yantra Tantro Cha-Chatanaya Swaha ||