Hanumans Epic Journey to Patala Loka
Hanuman’s journey to Patala Loka is a captivating narrative that intertwines elements of adventure, mysticism, and devotion. This legendary saga is recounted in various ancient Indian texts, with the Parasara Samhita being one of the primary sources documenting this remarkable journey into the depths of the Earth.
Historical Context
The Ramayana stands as one of the most revered and significant Hindu epics. It chronicles the life and adventures of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and his quest to rescue his wife Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. Hanuman, the mighty monkey deity, plays a pivotal role in the Ramayana as a devoted ally of Lord Rama, showcasing unparalleled strength, courage, and loyalty.
The Journey to Patala Loka
Hanuman embarked on a journey through a tunnel resembling a lotus stem to reach Patala Loka, believed to be situated beneath the earth’s surface, possibly corresponding to present-day South America. This extraordinary quest was prompted by the abduction of Rama and Lakshmana by Mahiravana, Ravana’s maternal uncle, during the battle between Rama and Ravana.
Mahiravana, employing his deceitful tactics, kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana and concealed them in Patala Loka. To rescue them, Hanuman faced various challenges, including thwarting the attempts of demons sent to retrieve the divine brothers. Despite these obstacles, Hanuman remained vigilant, utilizing his divine abilities to protect Rama and Lakshmana from harm.
The situation became even more precarious when Mahiravana himself disguised as Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother, gained access to Rama and Lakshmana and transported them to Patala Loka. Unaware of the deception, Hanuman was initially deceived by Mahiravana’s guise but later realized the truth and vowed to rescue Rama and Lakshmana at any cost.
With the assistance of Vibhishana, Hanuman learned about the two passages leading to Patala Loka: a smaller tunnel resembling a lotus stem originating from Ravana’s inner fort, and a wider but heavily guarded route. Hanuman, fueled by determination and divine intervention, chose the path of the lotus stem tunnel and embarked on his perilous journey to confront Mahiravana and rescue Rama and Lakshmana from the depths of Patala Loka.
Hanuman clandestinely entered through the first tunnel, resembling the shape of a lotus stem, eventually reaching the bottom of a pond. From there, he swam to the surface and beheld the sight of Patala Lanka.
Perched upon a Samee tree (Prosopis cineraria), Hanuman surveyed the formidable fort of Patala Lanka, encased within seven layered compound walls. It was during this observation that Mairavana’s sister, durdanDi, approached the tree, visibly distraught. Hanuman, sensing her distress, revealed himself and inquired about her troubles.
durdanDi proceeded to recount the tale of her husband, kaaladanDa, and their son, neelamEgha. Upon a prophecy from the sage Narada, predicting neelamEgha’s ascension to the throne of Patala Lanka, Mairavana grew apprehensive and imprisoned both neelamEgha and durdanDi.
Despite Hanuman’s protective vigilance, durdanDi lamented the abduction of Rama and Lakshmana by Mairavana. She questioned why the Vanaras, including Hanuman, had not yet come to their rescue, given their formidable capabilities.
Hanuman enters Patala Lanka
Upon entering Patala Lanka, Hanuman revealed his true identity to durdanDi and assured her that her son would ascend to the throne of Patala Lanka if she aided in the rescue of Rama and Lakshmana. In response, durdanDi disclosed the secret entrance to the fort—a Balance bestowed by Lord Shiva. This Balance remained silent and unbroken when Mairavana’s army or allies traversed it. However, even the slightest touch by an enemy would trigger an alarm, signaling war.
Disregarding the potential consequences, Hanuman boldly stepped onto the Balance, setting off the alarm bell. In an instant, Mairavana’s formidable army, comprising warriors with terrifying features such as tiger faces, donkey-like voices, split tongues, elongated tongues, dog faces, twisted noses, and other grotesque attributes, emerged in anticipation of an enemy incursion.
Undaunted by the overwhelming odds, Hanuman expanded his body and engaged the army in fierce combat, swiftly dispatching each adversary with his extraordinary strength and prowess. The battlefield resonated with the clash of arms as Hanuman valiantly fought against Mairavana’s forces, determined to fulfill his mission and rescue Rama and Lakshmana from captivity.
Hanuman meets Matsyavallabha
As the confrontation escalated, Matsyavallabha intervened and challenged Hanuman to a duel. Hanuman delivered a powerful blow to Matsyavallabha’s chest, but in turn, Matsyavallabha retaliated with a forceful strike to Hanuman’s head. Although momentarily shaken by the impact, Hanuman swiftly recovered.
In a display of strength and agility, both combatants charged at each other, with Hanuman seizing Matsyavallabha’s legs and spinning him through the air. However, Matsyavallabha countered by grasping Hanuman’s throat and exerting pressure, prompting Hanuman to release his hold.
Amidst their intense battle, Hanuman marveled at Matsyavallabha’s resilience and questioned his identity. Matsyavallabha then revealed that he was Hanuman’s own son, much to Hanuman’s astonishment. Despite his surprise, Hanuman refrained from disclosing his own identity and continued to inquire about Matsyavallabha’s lineage, asking about his mother and the story behind his birth.
Birth of Matsyavallabha as Son of Hanuman
Matsyavallabha recounted the extraordinary circumstances of his birth, revealing that he was the offspring of Hanuman and a sea monster named DeerghadEhi, also known as a Makara. Hanuman, in his relentless pursuit to rescue Seetha after her abduction by Ravana, had toiled tirelessly with his fellow Vanaras to build a bridge to Lanka. During this arduous endeavor, Hanuman’s sweat, imbued with his divine essence, inadvertently fell into the ocean.
The sea monster, suffering from hunger, consumed this divine sweat and found satisfaction. From this union, Matsyavallabha was born—an offspring born of two different species and nourished by the strength of Hanuman and the stamina of his mother. Matsyavallabha’s mother was revealed to be a Gandharva woman who had been cursed by Matanga Rishi. According to the curse, she would be freed only upon giving birth to a son.
Mairavana, recognizing Matsyavallabha’s unique abilities, appointed him as a protector of the fort in Patala Lanka. Upon hearing this remarkable tale, Hanuman revealed his true identity to Matsyavallabha and bestowed his blessings upon him.
Matsyavallabha extended an invitation to his father to visit his home, but Hanuman, driven by his urgent mission to rescue his beloved Lord Rama, declined the offer. Despite this, Hanuman’s encounter with Matsyavallabha served as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of destinies and the enduring bonds between father and son.
Hanuman fights Mahiravana
As Hanuman explored the depths of the fort, he eventually encountered King Mahiravana. Without hesitation, he leaped upon him and delivered a powerful blow to his head. The two engaged in a fierce battle, their bodies expanded to imposing proportions. With a decisive punch to Mahiravana’s chest, Hanuman seemed to have defeated the demon king, prompting him to resume his search for Rama and Lakshmana.
However, to Hanuman’s surprise, Mahiravana soon revived and launched a sneak attack from behind. Despite Hanuman’s relentless assaults, Mahiravana refused to succumb to death, enduring even after his intestines were pulled out in a desperate attempt to vanquish him.
Perplexed by Mahiravana’s resilience, Hanuman pondered how to end the demon king’s life. It was then that durdanDi intervened and revealed a crucial secret: Mahiravana’s life was sustained by five bees hidden among the stones of the fort.
Upon learning this revelation, Mahiravana lamented the exposure of his life support and begged durdanDi for forgiveness. The revelation marked a turning point in the battle, as Hanuman now possessed the knowledge needed to defeat the formidable demon king.
Hanuman declared that it was too late for mercy and that a demon like Mahiravana did not deserve to live. With swift determination, he pinned Mahiravana beneath his left leg and used his right leg to dislodge the stones where the bees were hidden. In a single decisive motion, Hanuman crushed all five bees under his right leg.
As Mahiravana’s life support was extinguished, the demon king’s life ebbed away under Hanuman’s left leg. With the demise of Mahiravana, the formidable adversary was vanquished, bringing an end to the perilous encounter in Patala Loka.
Hanuman Corronates Neelamegha as King of Patala Lanka
After vanquishing Mahiravana and freeing Rama and Lakshmana from their captivity in Patala Lanka, Hanuman released neelamEgha from his imprisonment. Hanuman then performed a coronation ceremony, anointing neelamEgha as the rightful king of Patala Lanka by bathing him with the water brought by his mother. neelamEgha sought Hanuman’s blessings to rule his kingdom justly and in accordance with dharma.
With the coronation complete, Hanuman retrieved the box containing the shrunken bodies of Rama and Lakshmana and began his journey back to Lanka. Along the way, he encountered his son Matsyavallabha, who had been tasked with protecting the king of Patala Lanka. Hanuman instructed his son to continue his duty faithfully before departing for Lanka.
Matsyavallabha, born to a sea creature, possessed remarkable stamina, earning him the title of MakaraDhwaja, named after the Makara, the longest ocean creature. In Ayurvedic medicine, a preparation known as siddha makaradhwaja, aimed at enhancing stamina and vitality in men, was named after him in honor of his extraordinary traits and lineage.
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