Sholingur, located in Tamil Nadu, India, is renowned for its two prominent hilltop temples: the Yoga Narasimhar Temple and the Sri Yoga Anjaneya Temple. The Sri Yoga Anjaneya Temple is particularly notable for its unique depiction of Hanuman (Anjaneya) with four hands, a rare and significant iconography in Hindu tradition.
The Unique Four-Handed Hanuman
In the Sri Yoga Anjaneya Temple, the deity is portrayed with
four arms. In his upper hands, he holds the shankha (conch) and chakra
(discus), and he is seated facing west. This form is associated with several
fascinating stories and legends that explain its origin and significance.
Legend of King Indradyumna and the Demon Kumbhodara
One prominent story involves King Indradyumna and his battle
against the demon Kumbhodara. During this conflict, Lord Indra, the king of the
gods, provided Indradyumna with his divine chariot and the powerful Vajrayudha
(thunderbolt weapon). Other demigods also contributed their celestial weapons
to aid the king.
As the battle raged, Lord Narasimha (an avatar of Lord
Vishnu) called upon Anjaneya (Hanuman) to assist the king. In response to this
divine request, Hanuman assumed a form with four arms to effectively combat the
demon. In this form, he wielded the shankha and chakra, showcasing his
readiness to protect and support. Hanuman continues to bless his devotees in
this powerful and protective four-handed form.
Hanuman's Role in the Protection of Sapta Rishis
Another version of the story connects to the concluding
events of the Ramayana. When Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, was preparing to
depart to his divine abode, Saketa Dham, Hanuman expressed his desire to
accompany him. However, Lord Rama assigned Hanuman a significant task instead.
He instructed Hanuman to go to Sholingur and safeguard the sapta rishis (seven
sages) from the disturbances caused by demons.
To aid Hanuman in this mission, Lord Rama bestowed upon him
the shankha and chakra, symbols of divine power and protection. This form of
Hanuman, with four hands, was to remain in Sholingur, providing darshan (sight)
and blessings to devotees until the end of the Kali Yuga, the current age in
Hindu cosmology.
Hanuman and the Kalakeya Rakshasas
Another belief among devotees is that Hanuman was given the
shankha and chakra by Lord Narasimha specifically to defeat the Kalakeya
rakshasas, a group of formidable demons. After accomplishing this task, Lord
Narasimha instructed Hanuman to remain in Sholingur in his four-armed form to
continue blessing and protecting devotees.
Significance of the Four-Handed Hanuman
The four-handed form of Sri Yoga Anjaneya in Sholingur
symbolizes Hanuman's divine mission and his unwavering dedication to protecting
righteousness and aiding devotees. Each element he holds, the shankha and
chakra, represents his close association with Lord Vishnu and his avatars,
particularly Narasimha and Rama. This form of Hanuman serves as a reminder of
his unparalleled strength, devotion, and his role as a protector and divine
helper.