Śri Maha-gaṇapataye namah

We discussed that Sun-god who was seriously contemplating about the marriage of daughter Suvarchala remembered his disciple Hanuman, who had taken the oath of eternal celibacy. Hanuman was an ardent Guru-bhakta who would never transgress the dictates of his spiritual master. Sun-god was confident that Suvarchala and Hanuman could, after their marriage, remain committed to their vow of celibacy while relentlessly pursuing their penance. He would obtain the merit of having completed the kanya-dāna (charitable act of giving away a daughter in marriage). He was sure that it would not hamper their vow of penance in any away.

Immediately he summoned Hanuman and commanded him to marry Suvarchala. Even before Hanuman could raise any objection, he quoted points from the Scriptures which proved that no sin would attach to the person who marries his Guru’s daughter. It is stated that a Guru can willingly offer his own daughter to his disciple. Quoted from the Scriptures Sun-god clarified that by consenting to this marriage, Hanuman would have paid remuneration to the teacher for the lessons taught by Him.

Hanuman, who was well-versed in every form of knowledge, was completely aware of the past, present and future (trikāla). This omniscient Lord grasped the intent of His Guru and hence consented to the offer. ‘You are aware of my capacities and interests, just as you are aware of your daughter’s requirements. You are aware that I enjoy remaining eternally in penance and that she too enjoys only penance.

I am aware of your intent. You seek that while retaining one form of myself in eternal penance, with my other portion I must marry Suvarchala and that our joint penance must be utilized for the well-being of the world. This decision of yours is aimed at empowering the other form that I need to take on for universal well-being and to enable me to serve the incarnation that Lord Vishnu will take on in future times. You are asking me to therefore station one form of Ānjaneya in eternal penance and that, while remaining untainted by any impurity, to wander through this universe in another form.

I am aware that in future times I am bound to kill many demons. I will need to uplift many living entities including humans. You seek that I should, on the strength of my own penance, take up another form suited for this world’.

Suvarchala was supremely pleased to have found a husband who truly matched her in every way. She opened her eyes and looked at him. She considered herself fortunate.

On the auspicious day of Jyestha Shukla dasami, Sunday, Hanuman married Suvarchala and this occasion was celebrated grandly in the presence of all the Devatas. Even to this day in the remote Himalayas and in certain areas of Uttar Pradesh, there is a custom of celebrating Hanuman’s marriage. However, in Madhya Pradesh and in Southern India we refuse to accept Him as a married man.

Jaya Guru Datta