Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Anjana included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Añjanā
1) Mother of Hanūmān—Wife of Kesarī, the noble monkey and daughter of Kuñjara, the monkey leader. She was the mother of Hanūmān. Once while Śiva and Pārvatī were gamboling in the guise of monkeys, rambling through the woods, Pārvatī became pregnant, That pregnancy was given to Vāyu. At that time Añjanā was doing penance for an issue. Vāyu transferred the pregnancy he had received from Pārvatī to Añjanā. Thus Añjanā gave birth to Hanūmān. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa, Sarga 66).
Añjanā gave birth to Hanūmān in the woods in a valley on the southern side of Mahāmeru. She was frightened at the sight of the child shining like the sun. Hanūmān began to cry for mother’s milk. Añjanā said to Hanūmān: "Monkeys are fond of red ripe fruits. Therefore eat whatever you find in red colour." Saying this Añjanā transformed herself into a goddess and went to Heaven.
Pūrvajanma (Previous Birth).
In her previous birth Añjanā was a goddess named Puñjikastala (Mānagarva). As a result of a curse, this goddess was born as a she-monkey in the Himālaya region. With the birth of Hanūmān, the curse was lifted. (Uttara Rāmāyaṇa). For more details see "Puñjikastala".