When the British writer Edward Moore first came across the Panchamukhi or five-faced image of Hanuman in the early 1800s, he asked the same question many still ask today: What is the story behind Panchamukhi Hanuman? The question remains as compelling as the form itself. Despite its immense popularity, the panchamukhi roopa of Hanuman is a mysterious deity. Yet, its sacredness has never been in doubt. For devotees all over the world, this form represents Hanuman in his most powerful and protective aspect.
Why did Hanuman become Panchamukhi?
During the war in Lanka, the demon Mahiravana (or Ahi) abducted Rama and Lakshmana to the underworld. His life force was hidden in five lamps placed in different directions, and the condition for his defeat was that all five had to be extinguished at the same time. To do this, Hanuman assumed a five-faced form, facing all directions, and extinguished the lamps at once, thus ending Mahiravana’s life. In that act, the Panchamukha aspect of Hanuman was born, protector of all quarters, destroyer of darkness.
This story comes from the Krittibas Ramayana, the Bengali version of the story. While not universally accepted, it provides an explanation for why Hanuman assumed five faces to vanquish the demon king.
The Five Faces: Power in each Direction
The Panchamukha Hanuman Kavach in the Sudarshana Samhita offers a vivid visualization and iconography of Hanuman’s five-faced form:
He is described as having five faces, fifteen eyes, and ten mighty arms, panchavaktram mahabhimam, fierce and resplendent, fulfilling all desires.
1. To the east, the monkey-face of Hanuman shines like a billion suns, its sharp teeth and arched brows blazing with courage.
2. To the south, the face of Narasimha roars, terrible and radiant, destroying every shadow of fear.
3. To the west, the curved-beaked Garuda spreads his wings of strength, crushing poisons, serpents, and ghostly afflictions.
4. To the north, the dark and lustrous Varaha rises, conqueror of the underworld, destroyer of beasts, plagues, and feverish spirits.
5. Above all, the horse-faced Hayagriva blazes forth, the embodiment of divine knowledge and victory.
Together, these five faces guard the devotee from every direction, east, south, west, north, and above, forming a sacred circle of protection and power.
Hanuman in Tantra
Because of his mysterious origin stories, the Panchamukhi roopa of Hanuman is considered a Tantric aspect. When we look at the many traditions that worship Hanuman all over India, his association with Tantra begin to seem a natural expression of devotion.
🔸Hanuman’s fierce, many-faced image mirrors the wrathful deities in tantric iconography, who embody both protection and destruction.
🔸Traditions like the famous Mehendipur Balaji in Rajasthan treat Hanuman as a purifier who wards off ghosts, spirits, and unseen afflictions.
🔸At Mehendipur, he is often worshipped alongside Mahakala or Bhairava, reflecting his role in controlling dark forces, vanquishing otherworldly threats with his power.
🔸In parts of India, Nepal, and in certain Tantric texts (for example, the Sri Vidyarnava Tantra), one finds representations of Hanuman or Hanu-Bhairava (wrathful Tantric Hanuman), with Hanuman trampling a corpse, a motif closely associated with deities who conquer death, ego, and impurity.
🔸The speed with which Hanuman responds to devotees, his “immediacy,” aligns with tantric sadhana, which seeks direct result, not distant reward. Recitations like Hanuman Bahuk, Hanuman Kilaka, and Hanuman Kavacha are often used in immediate relief practices.
Thus, Panchamukhi Hanuman acts as a meeting point between pure devotion and the dynamic, transformative energy often emphasized in tantra.
Hanuman Kavach, Hanuman Bahuk, and Hanuman Keelak
“नाशै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥”
Nāśai rog harai sab pīrā, japat nirantar Hanumat bīrā.
“All diseases and suffering are destroyed when one constantly chants the name of the brave Hanuman.”
This line from the Hanuman Chalisa defines what Hanuman means for his devotees. He is not a deity of one realm but of all. His grace extends to the body, the mind, and the spirit alike. To worship Hanuman is to invoke protection from physical ailments, relief from emotional pain, and freedom from worldly obstacles. He embodies strength without cruelty, devotion without pride, and power balanced by perfect humility.
Among the countless invocations dedicated to him, three hold a special place in the hearts of devotees: the Hanuman Kavach, the Hanuman Bahuk, and the Hanuman Keelak. Each offers a distinct way of reaching Hanuman, the ever-present guardian who moves swifter than the wind and as compassionate as a guardian.
Hanuman Kavach: The shield of devotion
The Hanuman Kavach is the sacred armor of the devotee. The word kavach means “shield,” and this hymn acts exactly as one, a protection against fear, negativity, and unseen harm. Its verses visualize Hanuman’s presence guarding every direction, ensuring that the devotee is surrounded by divine energy. Many recite it before journeys or during difficult times, trusting that Hanuman’s strength itself becomes their protection.
Hanuman Bahuk: The song of healing
The Hanuman Bahuk, composed by Goswami Tulsidas, is a prayer born from suffering and faith. Written when Tulsidas was ill and helpless, it became his surrender to Hanuman’s grace. The story goes that Hanuman appeared and healed him, transforming pain into poetry of devotion. Since then, the Bahuk has been recited by those in distress, seeking recovery and inner strength.
Hanuman Keelak: The key to hidden power
The Hanuman Keelak Stotra serves as a key, keelak meaning “nail” or “lock,” unlocking the full spiritual potency of other Hanuman hymns, especially the Hanuman Chalisa. It removes the subtle barriers that hold back one’s devotion, doubt, ego, and fear, allowing Hanuman’s energy to flow freely through the devotee’s heart. In Tantric understanding, it releases the dormant power of the mantra, turning words into living vibrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the five faces of Hanuman?
They are: (1) Hanuman (monkey face, east), (2) Narasimha (south), (3) Garuda / Vakratunda (west), (4) Varaha (north), (5) Hayagriva or Rudra-Horse (upwards). These faces reflect powers of protection, knowledge, ferocity, rescue, and dissolution.
Q2: Why did Hanuman become Panchamukhi?
To overcome Mahiravana, whose power lay in five lamps hidden in different directions, Hanuman needed to act in all directions at once. The five faces enabled him to extinguish them simultaneously and free Rama and Lakshmana.
Q3: How powerful is Panchamukhi Hanuman?
He is very powerful; his five faces together act as a cosmic shield. Devotees believe reciting his kavacha or visualizing his form grants protection, success in endeavors, removal of barriers, and mastery over negative influences.
Q4: What is the difference between Hanuman and Panchamukhi Hanuman?
Hanuman, in his popular two-armed form, is seen carrying the Gada (mace) in his role as the devotee of Rama. Panchamukhi Hanuman is the potent protector, embodying multiple divine functions at once while preserving the spirit of devotion.
Q5: Is Panchamukhi Hanuman tantric?
Panchamukhi Hanuman, by many devotees, is worshipped as a Tantric form of Hanuman. His role in controlling unseen realms, quickly curing diseases, in conjunction with Bhairava, and fierce iconography, places him close to tantric metaphors.
Q6: Which Panchamukhi Hanuman idol is good, standing or sitting?
Both standing and sitting Panchamukhi Hanuman idols are auspicious, but they represent different energies. A standing idol represents action, courage, and readiness to protect, perfect for those seeking active strength, protection, or swift removal of obstacles. A sitting idol, on the other hand, embodies meditation, calm, and stability, ideal for invoking inner strength, focus, and spiritual contemplation. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal intention and the energy you wish to invite into your space.
Conclusion
Why did Hanuman take the Panchamukhi roopa? The answer to this question is not that simple, as we have seen in this discussion. Not that the answer matters much to the devotee who worships this aspect of Hanuman as their guardian and guide. It is a form that watches silently over every direction, fierce yet compassionate, awe-inspiring yet accessible to the heart of the devotee.
For those who bow before him, the five faces are not just iconography, but living expressions of a guardian whose vigilance knows no lapse, whose devotion to the divine is complete, and whose presence alone inspires courage to go to the deepest and darkest places and come out victorious, just as Hanuman did, when he entered the kingdom of Ahiravana.
