When you think of a spider, its 8 limbs come to mind immediately.
8 is a significant number in Sanatana Dharma:
Ashta Lakshmi
Ashtakams (Stotras having 8 verses). E.g. Krishnashtakam, Totakashtakam
Ashta Prakrti that Krishna outlines in Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita (Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, ego).
And then there are the ashta siddhis of Hanuman.
There are many definitions and interpretations for the word siddhi. Siddhi can mean accomplishment.
Siddhi also refers to spiritual powers (that have a supernatural flavor).
Siddhis are rare. Unsurprisingly so — if siddhis were commonplace, they would cease to be special.
There are several variations that describe how Hanuman got His siddhis. Here is one. After Rama defeated Ravana, Hanuman went to Ashoka Vana to give the good news to Sita. Ma Sita was delighted to hear the good news. She blessed Hanuman with a variety of gifts. One such blessing was the ashta siddhis.
The 8 Siddhis of Hanuman
Here are the 8 siddhis of Hanuman:
Anima — The power to assume a tiny form.
Mahima — The power to assume a huge form.
Garima — The power to make the body very heavy.
Laghima — The power to make the body very light.
Prapti — The power to go to places.
Prakamya — The power to fulfil desires.
Ishitva — The power to assume lordship over people and beings.
Vashitva — The power to subjugate other people and beings.
Power corrupts.
When Hanuman got His siddhis, it was easy for Him to declare “I am the greatest.” And it would have been natural. We see it all the time today — when people assume a position of power, they become a different person, hubris enters the fray.
Indeed, we see this routinely in politics. Power enters people’s heads, and they consider themselves invincible, only to find themselves dethroned in the next elections.
But Hanuman remained humility personified.
He identified as a servant of Rama. He never made a show of his prowess. He quietly went about serving Rama.
If you want it, you won’t get it. If you don’t want it, life will go behind you and offer it to you, no matter how many times you say no. That’s life’s great paradox.
Indeed, banks give loans to people who already have money — if a person doesn’t have money, banks counterintuitively don’t offer them the loan.
Actor Matthew McConnaughey describes a lesson he learned in his superb memoir Greenlights. He acted in one movie in his hometown Texas, and then moved to California, crashing at casting director Don Phillip’s house. One night, McConnaughey asked Phillips, “Hey, Don, you think you can get me a meeting with an agent, man? I only got a few grand to my name and I need to get some work.”
Phillips snapped — he told McConnaughey that Hollywood smells needy — and that he would be done for even before he got started.
This profound piece of advice rings true in every circle. The people who play it cool, as if they have nary a care in the world, they exude confidence. The desperate ones drive away prospective customers, clients, investors, friends, romantic partners …
Hanuman did not crave for powers, earthly or supernatural. Yet, his virtuous deeds pleased one and all, and Hanuman became the recipient of many blessings, the ashta siddhis being one of them.
The ashta siddhis are cool.
Super cool.
The spiritual aspirants of today would kill to have even one of the ashta siddhis. But these were not the best siddhis of Hanuman.
The best siddhi of Hanuman: devotion.
The theme of Hanuman’s devotion to Rama deserves repeated mention. Today, even the most unqualified person refuses to follow instructions and insists on doing as they please. Hanuman is as qualified as they get — He learned the entire Vedas, Upavedas and other relevant scriptures under the tutelage of Sun God. He is strength personified. He has ashta siddhis. Yet, Rama permeated every pore of his being. He lived for Rama. He performed actions for Rama. He identified himself as Rama Dasa, i.e. servant of Rama.
The ashta siddhis are indeed rare, and not everyone can lay claim to them. The siddhi of devotion, however, is availalble to one and all. It is easily and readily available to practice.
Easy and simple are not synonymous, however.
Easy as it may be, true devotion and surrender remains rare, and few commit to one-pointed devotion. The rare few who practice devotion, however, reap unexpected and unlimited results.
They get the greatest gift of all: Their Lord.
Cultivating devotion to Lord Hanuman is the most beautiful way to lead a meaningful and rich life. He is known as Sankat Mochan or someone who takes away your difficulties. He also bestows devotion to his devotees. Download the free and incredible Vedic Sadhana app to deepen your bond with Lord Hanuman by performing Abhishekam, Hava, Japa, Nitya Pooja, and Sadhana of Lord Hanuman.
