The legend of Lord Hanuman is one of the most inspiring and popular tales within Sanatan Dharma. He is revered as the 11th Rudra Avatar of Lord Shiva, who took birth specifically to serve Lord Shri Rama.
Presented here, in brief, are the key and most sacred stories from Lord Hanuman’s life:

1. The Story of His Birth

Anjana was an Apsara (celestial nymph) who, due to a sage’s curse, was compelled to take birth on Earth in the form of a *Vanara* (monkey-like being). She was married to Kesari, the King of the Vanaras. To be blessed with a child, Mother Anjana undertook rigorous penance dedicated to Lord Shiva.
At that very time in Ayodhya, King Dasharatha was performing the *Putreshti Yajna* (a ritual for obtaining progeny), through which he received divine *Kheer* (sweet pudding) from Agni Dev (the Fire God). A small portion of this *Kheer* was snatched away by a kite (either by the will of Sugriva’s mother or under the divine guidance of Pawan Dev) and dropped directly into the hands of Anjana, who was deep in penance. Influenced by Pawan Dev (the Wind God), Mother Anjana consumed this sacred offering; consequently, Lord Hanuman was born on the full moon day (*Purnima*) of the month of *Chaitra*. For this reason, he is also known as *Pawanputra* (Son of the Wind) and *Anjaneya*.

2. Childhood and Swallowing the Sun

In his childhood, Lord Hanuman was extremely mischievous and possessed immense strength. One morning, overcome by intense hunger, he mistook the radiant sun shining in the sky for a ripe, red fruit. With a single mighty leap, he soared into the heavens to seize the sun.
On that very day, Rahu was also approaching to *gras* (swallow) the sun—thereby causing a solar eclipse—but upon seeing Lord Hanuman, he was terrified and fled to Lord Indra. To protect the sun, Indra struck Lord Hanuman with his *Vajra* (thunderbolt); the blow injured Hanuman’s chin (*Hanu*), causing him to fall unconscious to the Earth.
Note: It is precisely because of this injury to his chin (*Hanu*) that he came to be named ‘Hanuman’.
Upon seeing his son lying unconscious, Pawan Dev (the Wind God) was consumed by rage and halted the flow of wind throughout the entire universe. Chaos and turmoil ensued across all of creation. At that juncture, along with Lord Brahma…