On Hanuman Jayanti, I celebrate Bhagwan Hanuman as the pinnacle of service and strength across Hindu traditions and continents. For me, this Hindu festival is more than a simple puja or a quick visit to the temple—it is my personal pledge to live bhakti and shakti every single day, not just remember them.

I didn’t always see Hanuman-ji this way. When I was younger, I mostly thought of him as Bhagwan Rama’s strength—the muscle that carried out the Bhagwan’s will. Over time, I began to understand his divine mentality: the serenity, humility, and unwavering clarity that guided every action of his life.

That shift happened thanks to my guru—an auntie in our local Hindu community—who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, led us through a year-long study of the Hanuman Chalisa. In her classes, she unpacked each verse and revealed how Hanuman-ji embodies pure devotion and righteous action grounded in dharma. Those lessons brought Hanuman-ji’s life closer to mine, in language and examples I could live by.

The more I learned, the more I was moved by his deeds: crossing the ocean to Lanka, standing fearless before enemies, and even ripping open his chest to show Bhagwan Rama’s eternal place in his heart. In moments of worry—when the Bhagwan can feel distant—I remember Hanuman-ji’s steadfast seva through the highest highs and lowest lows. His example from the Ramayana continues to be a living guide for me.

Hanuman-ji teaches me the power of surrender: to never forget the Bhagwan, and to trust that aligning my will with the Bhagwan’s will can carry me a lifetime. Part of that surrender is seeing myself as an instrument of the Bhagwan. Bhagwan Hanuman lived this perfectly—serving without expectations or fear, content to be useful in any way he could.

His strength was always in service of dharma. Whether carrying a mountain to save Lakshman-ji or fighting to free Sita Mata from Ravana, Hanuman-ji’s shakti was inseparable from seva. Around Hanuman Jayanti, I make it a point to channel that spirit in practical ways—by prioritizing my physical fitness, trying a new sport, or setting a fresh benchmark in my workouts. Maintaining and growing my physical health feels like one sincere way to honor Bhagwan Hanuman and live our traditions daily.

When I strengthen my body, I strengthen my ability to serve—my family, my community, and my Bhagwan. Even one small step forward matters. That simple discipline is a reminder of the opportunity we all have to make a bigger impact through steady, embodied devotion.

Life brings challenges that can slow us down or cloud our purpose. In those moments, I turn to the values of Bhagwan Hanuman’s life—sometimes by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, sometimes by reading from the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana. Each time, I find the resilience and calm strength to meet obstacles head-on.

Shubh Hanuman Jayanti and Jai Bajrangbali!

Inspired by this post on CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America).