Hanuman’s Intelligence

In Indian scriptures, Shri Hanuman is depicted as swift as the mind, extraordinarily intelligent, and mighty beyond measure. It is said that when He was a child, He was blessed by the leading gods, making him immortal. However, there was a catch—He could only use His immense power, only if reminded of it by someone else. Like how Jambavan reminded Hanuman of his extraordinary strength and powers which otherwise He had forgotten.

This story isn’t about a religion, but rather about Hanuman’s remarkable intelligence and wit.

In Pune, there are temples where the deities have some rather strange titles. Take, for instance, “Khunya Muralidhar” (meaning "Murderer Krishna") or the even more peculiar "Bhikardas Maruti." The word "Bhikardas" is intriguing —"Bhikar" means a beggar, and "das" means a servant or attendant. So, essentially, Hanuman, the "Bhikardas", is seen as a servant of a beggar. How odd! But is it really?

Think about it. Lord Ram was exiled for 14 years. He was penniless, poorly dressed, and deprived of his kingdom. In a way, he resembled a beggar. Yet, Hanuman recognized his divinity and devoted himself to Ram without hesitation. Now, an ordinary person today might look for a well-established employer — maybe a reputable corporate job with a fancy title. But Ha