In India, there are more temples devoted to Hanuman, the beloved monkey, then any other deity. In Sanskrit, the monkey is Hanumat that means having large jaws. In Hindi, the name is Hanuman and is a central character and devotee of Ram in the Hindu epic the Ramayana. He is said to be an incarnation of Shiva and acclaimed for strength, courage, and wisdom. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa is a popular religious practice. I never knew the chant by heart but knew devotees who did and they loved the recitation. I provided musical accompaniment, and enjoyed listening to the poetry of the Awadhi text.

The Hanuman Chalisa is the most popular hymn of Hanuman and recited by millions of devotees every day. It was composed in the Awadhi language by Goswami Tulsidas around 1600. Tulsidas was a Hindu poet and saint known for his devotion for Rama. He lived in the city of Varanasi, India, until his death in 1623. He founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi, and the Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi is named after him, . The Hanuman Chalisa has forty verses as the word “chalis” in Hindi means forty.

Tulsidas was devoted to Rama and as such did not understand the Veda, but nevertheless, composed the Veda. The text has a few inept English translations to avoid to gravitate to the one translated in the Sacred Way to transmit the Sacred Knowledge to arise from the earth to delight in the heavenly state. Here is a couplet.

To be born of a mother on the earth in contact with the Goddess of speech, and to anoint in connection with draw in for cutting to be born in for the cause to serve there.

To be a monkey oh no, roar for the act of cutting off the body to get rid of, and a wind sound rises and happiness for the cause to serve there.