Panchmukhi Hanuman Aarti

Panchmukhi Hanuman is the five-faced form of Lord Hanuman, in which he manifested with the faces of Hanuman (facing east), Narasimha (south), Garuda (west), Varaha (north) and Hayagriva (upward) to defeat the demon Mahiravana and rescue Lord Rama and Lakshmana from the netherworld (Patal Lok). This extraordinary form represents Hanuman's power in every direction at once, making him a supreme protector against all evil and obstacles. The traditional Hanuman Aarti, "Aarti Keeje Hanuman Lala Ki," is devotedly sung before this and every form of Hanuman.

आरती कीजै हनुमान लला की। दुष्ट दलन रघुनाथ कला की॥

जाके बल से गिरिवर कांपे। रोग दोष जाके निकट न झांपे॥

अंजनि पुत्र महा बलदाई। संतन के प्रभु सदा सहाई॥

दे बीरा रघुनाथ पठाए। लंका जारि सिया सुधि लाए॥

लंका सो कोट समुद्र सी खाई। जात पवनसुत बार न लाई॥

लंका जारि असुर संहारे। सियारामजी के काज संवारे॥

लक्ष्मण मूर्छित पड़े सकारे। आनि संजीवन प्राण उबारे॥

पैठि पताल तोरि जमकारे। अहिरावण की भुजा उखारे॥

बाईं भुजा असुर दल मारे। दाहिने भुजा संत जन तारे॥

सुर नर मुनि जन आरती उतारें। जय जय जय हनुमान उचारें॥

कंचन थार कपूर लौ छाई। आरती करत अंजना माई॥

जो हनुमानजी की आरती गावै। बसि बैकुण्ठ परम पद पावै॥

आरती कीजै हनुमान लला की। दुष्ट दलन रघुनाथ कला की॥

The aarti begins by calling for the performance of arti to child Hanuman, who is the destroyer of the wicked and an embodiment of Lord Raghunath (Rama)'s divine power. His strength is so immense that even mountains tremble before it, and no disease or affliction dares come near one under his protection.

It recounts his glorious deeds: son of Anjani and possessor of immense strength, ever the helper of saints; sent by Lord Raghunath as a messenger, he burned Lanka and brought back news of Sita's welfare; he crossed the vast ocean-like moat around Lanka without a moment's delay; he burned Lanka and destroyed the demons, accomplishing Sita-Ram's work.

When Lakshman lay unconscious on the battlefield at dawn, Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani herb and saved his life. He entered the netherworld (Patal), broke the hold of Yamaraja's forces, and tore off the arms of the demon Ahiravana (rescuing Rama and Lakshmana — this is the very episode connected to his Panchmukhi form). With his left arm he strikes down demon hosts, and with his right arm he ferries devotees across the ocean of worldly existence.

Devas, humans and sages together perform his aarti, chanting "Jai Jai Jai Hanuman." Mother Anjana herself performs the aarti with a golden plate and camphor flame. Whoever sings this aarti of Hanuman ji attains residence in Vaikuntha, the supreme abode.

The Panchmukhi (five-faced) form specifically commemorates Hanuman's rescue of Rama and Lakshmana from the demon Mahiravana, who had taken them to Patal Lok and could only be killed by extinguishing five lamps facing five different directions simultaneously. Hanuman achieved this using his five faces at once, demonstrating that his protective power spans every direction and every kind of danger — worldly, supernatural and hidden. Devotees invoke Panchmukhi Hanuman especially for protection from black magic, evil spirits, enemies working covertly, and multi-directional or deeply hidden troubles.

Best day: Tuesday and Saturday are the most auspicious days for Hanuman worship.

Best time: Morning or evening, and particularly during Hanuman Jayanti.

Vidhi: Light a lamp with til or mustard oil before the Panchmukhi Hanuman image. Offer sindoor mixed with chameli oil, a garland of red flowers, and boondi or gud-chana as prasad. Recite the Hanuman Aarti with folded hands, envisioning all five faces protecting you in all directions, then perform the lamp offering (aarti) in a clockwise motion.

Regular recitation is believed to grant all-round protection from visible and hidden dangers, remove fear of black magic and negative energies, bestow courage, strength and unwavering devotion, and clear obstacles that seem to attack from multiple directions in life, whether in health, relationships or circumstances.

Do chant with humility, remembering that Hanuman's power flows entirely from his devotion to Lord Rama. Do maintain a satvik lifestyle, especially on the day of worship. Do combine the aarti with the Hanuman Chalisa for deeper protection.

Do not approach Panchmukhi Hanuman sadhana with fear or as a tool for revenge against others; his protective power is granted to the humble and devoted, never as a weapon of ill intent. Do not skip consistency — irregular, occasional worship is less fruitful than steady daily devotion.

Q: Is there a separate aarti specifically for Panchmukhi Hanuman? A: The traditional "Aarti Keeje Hanuman Lala Ki" is devotedly sung before all forms of Hanuman, including Panchmukhi, and it directly narrates the episode of Ahiravana connected to this five-faced form.

Q: What is special about the Panchmukhi form? A: It shows Hanuman with five faces — his own, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hayagriva — representing protection in all directions, manifested to rescue Rama and Lakshmana from the demon Mahiravana in Patal Lok.

Q: Can anyone worship Panchmukhi Hanuman, or is it only for advanced sadhaks? A: Anyone can worship him with simple, sincere devotion; the form is especially sought by those seeking protection from hidden or multi-directional troubles, but no special initiation is required for regular puja and aarti.