Sri Parasara Samhita

SriRam
Jaya Hanuman

Ancient Indian literature is so vast that there is much that has not yet seen the light of the day. Nowadays some books that have been useful to the common man through the ages are gradually coming to light. To that order of rare and useful books belongs this “SRI PARASARA SAMHITA”.The life of Lord Hanuman is indeed wide in scope, any, it is definite: Lord Hanuman is immortal. In all ages, we find references to Lord Hanuman. Through Sage Valmiki, Ramayana the biography of the dedicated servant nonparallel of Lord Rama in the age of ‘Threta’ alone reached the world. However, it can’t be said that immortal Lord Hanuman had no other history besides this. The great sage Parasara illumines those unknown aspects in the Sri Parasara Samhita’s (“Vasishtasmat Pitamah” – lines like ‘Vasistha is my grand father clearly indicate the author as the sage Parasara, the father of Bhagwan Vyasa. From times immemorial this compendium (Samhita) lay dormant in the archives of the devotees of Lord Hanuman in the form of Palm-leaf manuscripts. In this compilation, besides the complete history of Lord Hanuman, one could find a great deal of Mantra Sastra related to Lord Hanuman. This is an effort to place before the public the great book, SRI PARASARA SAMHITA.

The great composer Tallapaka Annamacharya made use of this compendium in many of his hymns. For example, the hymn 11-1-148 has its source in the 31st chapter of Sri Parasara Samhita. The hymns 11-1-149 and 11-1-366 can be traced to the chapters 44, 45, 46 and 47: while hymns 31 and 163 refer to chapters 48 and 50. The great poet Pushpagiri Timmana, the author of “SAMIRA KUMARA VIJAYA” also followed “SRI PARASARA SAMHITA”. In Parasara Samhita, we find evidence to prove that the Anjanadri in Tirumala is the birth place of Lord Anjaneya. This book dispels doubts regarding various controversial issues like the birthday of Lord Hanuman, his birth place etc. Sri Prabhudatta Bramhachari is delighted with the book and took a copy to his Ashram.

Jagadguru Srimath Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Maha Swamy, the head of Shringeri Peetha and other eminent scholors like Sri Tadepalli Raghava Narayana Sastry, Sri Jammalamadaka Madhava Rama Sarma, Sri Mudigonda Venkata Rama Sastry, Sri Maddulapalli Manikya Sastry and Sri Ram Saran heaped praise on this great compilation. We can find references to Sri Parasar Samhita in great books like “Sri Hanuman Maha Vidya Prakasika” etc. The author of the famous book “Ramayana Saroddhara ” quoted slokas from Parasara Samhita. Many modern authors too accept the authority of Parasara Samhita.

It is sad that such a great book has not completely come to light even today. We have been gathering available parts from all corners with great difficulty in an endeavor to place the entire book the public. This effort to bring this great “Hanumath Sastra” withing the reach of all people-of-different regions and languages is under taken with the fond hope that it would promote more research and a deeper study in this field. I sincerely hope that you would all endeavor to propagate this book in the way that providence might direct your thoughts and enrich your lives in the service of ancient literature in general and of literature regarding Lord Hanuman. In particular:

For the benefit of the reader in brief introduction

Once upon a time sage Maitreya enquired of the great sage Parasara about the succour and sources of relief to the suffering humanity in the frieghtful, age of Kali. In aswer, Parasara gave an exposition of the greatness of Lord Hanuman. It forms the Hanumath Vidya and the way of communicating it and all the mantras related to Anjaneya’s seven fold Mantratmika Vidya are dealt with. The way one could see Lord Hanuman in his dreams, importance of Hanumad Vratha, the birth of Lord Hanuman and the episode about the maiden Suvarchala are described in great detail. The Yantra of Lord Hanuman, the efficacy of devotion and the mercy of Lord Hanuman besides the histroy of the 13 Hanumath Peethas are narrated. The stay of Lord Hanuman on the mountain Gandha Madana, his journeys on his camel and how the Lord Hanuman protects his divotees and punishes the evil doers are narrated with many examples. Lord Hanuman Mala Yantra which destroys enemies and which fulfills desires and unashackles all bonds find its full exposition in the Samhita. The time, place, posture and flowers leaves and fruits suitble for worship are dealth with at length. The importance of worship in the plantain orchards, the saligrama of Lord Hanuman and the power of Lord Hanuman in controlling epidemics like cholera are explained. In the episode related to music, we find Lord Hanuman creating the raga Gunda Kriya”. Thus, we find a complete history of Lord Hanuman through the ages will all Mantras, Tantras and Yantras in this magnum opus, Sri Parasara Samhita.

My Great Teacher

Brahmasree Palaparthi Venkata Subbavadhanulu Garu, a great upasaka (pratitioner) of Lord Hanuman mantra after initiating me, handed over a small section of the manuscript of Parasara Samhita. He told me to gather the complete work-however difficult it might be – and to bring it to light. It is nothing but the strength of his will and blessings that I had met many devotees of Lord Hanuman, gather different parts and could being it to the present form. I am ever greatful to all the great devotees who have helped me in this venture.

Above all, I express my sincere thanks to the Government Oriental Manuscript Library, Adayar. There I could secure a major part of Parasara Samhita. In this, there are 611 plam leaves. The condition of the book was old and injured and it has 65 patalas. However, it too had some missing portions (patalas 25 to 28 & 54 to 57). It is nothing but the blessings of Lord Hanuman that the book in the present form could be brought out at last.

I humbly bow in reverence at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Siva Chidananda Bharathi Swamy, head of Kurtalam Peetham for his blessings.

I thank Brahmasri Muddulapalli Manikya Sastry garu, Prof. S.B. Raghunadacharya, Prof. Pullela Sri Ramachandrudu, Brhamsri Josyula Surya Prakasa Rao, Brahmasri Gabbeta Anjaneya Sastry garu and many others who have been gracious enough to bless this endeavour by sending their blessings and opinions. I thank to the scholors and men of letters who have encouraged me in my work and those who have supported me so generously by with their manificience.

I express my sincere gratitude to Sri R.V. Seshagiri Ram who has lent me a helping hand in this venture.

With a humble supplication to Lord Hanuman to shower His infinite Grace on us so that His work may be fulfilled throught us.

In the service of Lord Hanuman

Dr. Annadanam Chidambara Sastry

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