Neev: Hey listeners! Welcome back to Mythical Masala! This is Part 2 of our Hanuman Special, and today, we’re diving into Hanuman’s mischievous streak. Joining me once again is my very good friend - Aditya.

Co-host: Hello everyone!  Last time, we heard about Hanuman’s divine origins. Now, we’ll jump into his childhood adventures and his first meeting with Lord Ram. Spoiler alert - we got some more curses! 

Neev: Well no surprise there! Are you ready for adventures with Hanuman? Let’s dive in!

Neev: Anjana has given birth to Anjaney  - with blessings of Shiva and the power of the Wind-God Vayu.  Anjaney aka Hanuman is also known as pavan-putra - meaning child of the Wind. 

Anjana is finally freed from her curse. She decided to visit heaven and reunite with her celestial sisters. She told her young son Anjaney, “I’m going to meet my sisters. Do you want to come with me?

Co-host: Let me guess! He refused! I totally get it. It’s so boring to tag along with parents. 

Neev: Absolutely. Anjana asked him to stay and play with his friends.

Co-host: Typical mom move. "Stay out of trouble, don’t break the house!"

Neev: Exactly! Anjaney was skeptical. “What if I get hungry?” he asked.

His mother smiled and said, “Just eat the fruits on the trees. There’s lots of them. But Anjaney wasn't sure which fruits. Eat any fruit that looks like the rising sun, Anjana said.

Co-host: And you know what happens when you tell a kid something like that—they take it way too literally.

Neev: That’s exactly what happened. After a while, little Anjaney got bored and hungry. He looked up, saw the bright, glowing sun, and thought, That must be the fruit Mom meant!

Neev: And just like that, Anjaney leapt into the sky, flying straight toward the sun.

Neev:  Baby Anjaney was fascinated by the size of this “fruit”. As Anjaney neared the sun, a shadowy figure appeared—a demon named Rahu who had his own grudge with the sun. As he was about to gobble up the sun whole, Anjaney burst onto the scene.

Co-host: It’s like when someone cuts in line for your favorite ride at the amusement park—Anjaney wasn’t having it. Do you know legend has it that the Sun-god had exposed the true identity of demon Rahu during the churning of the Milky Ocean. Since then, Rahu swallows the sun now and then as revenge, thereby causing a solar eclipse. 

Neev: Yeah, Anjaney was unaware of the fact or how solar eclipses happen. He thought Rahu was stealing his fruit. He puffed up his tiny chest and bellowed, “Leave my fruit alone!” Then he gave Rahu a mighty shove. A fierce fight began between Rahu and Anjaney. But Rahu was no match to Anijaney's strength and was beaten up badly.

Co-host: That’s some serious baby monkey strength. Poor Rahu didn’t know what hit him!

Neev: Defeated, Rahu ran to Lord Indra. Even though Indra was Rahu's enemy yet he was his only recourse against such a powerful child.  “There’s a child trying to eat the sun! If he succeeds, we’re all doomed!”, he complained.

Neev: Indra rushed toward the sun on his mighty elephant - Airavat. Meanwhile, the Sun-god, Surya, was trying to warn Anjaney. “Stop, child! The sun isn’t food—you’ll burn yourself!”

Co-host: And Anjaney’s like, Not now bro, I’m hungry, so you can talk to me when you’re in my stomach!

Neev: Yeah, he’s totally unfazed, he keeps going. But Indra had other plans. Seeing no other way to stop the child, he hurled his thunderbolt weapon—the vajra.

Co-host: Whoa, overkill much? That’s like swatting a fly with a bazooka. But you know Indra, he’s a bit impulsive and doesn’t always think about the outcome of his actions. I have a feeling he’s going to be in trouble!

Neev: The vajra struck Anjaney’s jaw with such force that he fell unconscious and plummeted to earth.

Neev: Vayu, the Wind-god and Anjaney’s father, was out and about when he witnessed everything. He saw Anjaney fall headlong from the skies. Vayu rushed and swooped up Anjaney in his arms. To his horror, he found that the child was not breathing! He tried to revive Anjaney, but without any success Heartbroken and furious, he took his son’s lifeless body into his arms and disappeared into a cave in Patal.

Co-host: I am glad it was a windy day! Seriously though, not sure what would happen if Vayu wasn’t there. But hey, What is Patal? 

Neev: Patal means the underworld or  netherworld - kind of like hell. So Vayu was so angry at Indra, that he wanted to punish the people of earth for worshipping him. He withdrew all the air from the universe and kept it with him. 

Co-host: Woah! Why is Vayu punishing the people of earth? Why not just punish Indra! 

Neev: My thoughts exactly. With no air, life on Earth came to a standstill. Plants wilted, animals gasped, and even the gods panicked. They rushed to Brahma for help.

Neev: Brahma, understanding the gravity of the situation, descended to Patal and found Vayu weeping over Anjaney. “Vayu, you must restore balance!” Brahma urged.

But Vayu cried out, “How can I, when my son lies lifeless?”

Co-host: Wait! I have a question. Is Vayu holding his breath? Is that how this works? 

Neev: Not sure! But Brahma was enraged when he learnt what had happened to Anjaney.  He summoned Indra to appear before him instantly. Indra had no clue why Brahma was summoning him. 

Co-host: Really! How can Indra not have any clue?

Neev: When Vayu saw Indra before him, he flew into a rage. Indra got defensive.  "Is he your child? Did you know that he was going to gobble up the sun?" Indra asked Vayu. 

Co-host: Come-on Indra! Justifying hitting a kid! Not cool, bro!

Neev: Brahma agrees. He reprimanded Indra for his behavior and tendency to throw his weapons around the moment he is scared. Indra felt ashamed and Brahma ordered him to apologize to Vayu.

Co-host: I am guessing Vayu is in no mood to listen? After all, an apology is not going to bring back his son to life. 

Neev: Vayu pleased with Brahma to revive his son. Brahma sprinkled sacred water over Anjaney and chanted divine mantras. Slowly, the little monkey boy opened his eyes.

Co-host: Phew!, and I bet Vayu gave him the tightest dad hug ever.

Neev: (smiling) He sure did! But Anjaney’s jaw was permanently marked by Indra’s attack. Brahma declared, “From now on, you will be known as Hanuman, which literally means the one with the broken chin”. Brahma also blessed him and said “ I grant you immunity from all weapons.”

Co-host: A name and invincibility? Not bad for a near-death experience!

Neev: Indra also stepped forward, guilt-ridden and blessed Hanuman. “You will die only when you choose to, little one. This is my boon to you.” Vayu finally smiled and released the air back into the atmosphere.

Co-host: Okay, I forgive Indra a little. But just a little. How long was this going on? That’s a long time without air for all the earthlings!

Neev: Not really sure! But hey Hanuman got lots of blessings from all the different gods! Surya granted Hanuman sheer brilliance and also blessed him with the knowledge of arts and sciences. Varun (the god of Ocean) gave him the boon that he would always be safe from water. Yamdev (the god of Death) granted him a boon to lead a healthy life, free from any curse or illness. Kuber (the treasurer of gods) blessed Hanuman that he would always be joyous and cheerful and also satisfied. Shiv, on his part, gifted Hanuman a band (kavach) that would keep him safe forever. 

Co-host: Pretty cool! Looks like all the Gods were trying to appease Vayu - you know earn brownie points so he doesn’t pull off this hold the air stunt again! 

Neev: With all his powers, Hanuman grew up as a spirited, mischievous child. He swung from trees, teased lions, and even rode on elephants’ tusks for fun.

Co-host: Sounds like a kid who got too much sugar…except he doesn’t need any! But hey, he is just like any other kid - special powers or not!

Neev: True! At first, his antics were adorable, but as he grew stronger, they became a little…destructive. He troubled many sages, and got cursed along the way - like forgetting his powers until he needed them. 

Co-host: Really? Well we know,  with his powers and blessings, Hanuman was destined for greatness! BTW, isn’t there a legend that Hanuman met Rama during their childhood?

Neev: Yes, apparently Shiv once desired to see young Rama, and thought a disguise of a monkey trainer would help. He took  Hanuman with him, and eventually Rama got to see his antics. Rama invited Shiva and Hanuman inside the palace. Rama and Hanuman immediately bonded, so much so that Rama would not let Hanuman go. So for a little while, they were playmates. 

Co-host: Looks like another serendipitous moment. 

Neev: Yeah, when Rama had to leave with Sage Vishwamitra, he asked Hanuman to wait for him at Kishkindha. Till then, Hanuman would serve Sugreev. Hanuman agreed and returned to his mother Anjana. 

Co-host: Wow! So when do they meet? And Who’s Sugreev?

Neev: Well, you will find out soon enough! That’s all about Hanuman for now. From mischievous beginnings to divine blessings, Hanuman’s journey is just getting started.

Co-host: Next time, we’ll hear how Hanuman eventually meets Ram and how their bond becomes legendary. I can’t wait!

Neev: Neither can I! Thanks for tuning in, everyone. Don’t forget to share your thoughts, and we’ll see you next time on Mythical Masala with Neev!