What is Sri Hanuman Dvadashakshari Mantra Sadhana and its benefits?

jehi sharir rati ram saun soi aadarhin sujan।
rudra deh taji nehbas banar bhe Hanuman।।
                                                           (Dohavali by Goswami Tulsidas: 142)

(Wise people honour the body devoted to Sri Ram. Due to such deep love for Sri Ram, Lord Shiv abandoned his Rudra form and incarnated as Hanuman, in the form of a Vanar.)

Lord Hanuman is known as Rudra-ansh, or Rudra-ansh-sambhut (a partial manifestation of Sri Rudra). The Rig-Vedic deity Rudra is a fierce and powerful form of Lord Shiv. Associated with roaring storms and tempests, Sri Rudra symbolises the terrifying but purifying power that destroys negativity and relieves suffering. Lord Hanuman is considered the last among the eleven Rudras—the fierce manifestations of Lord Shiv. Sri Rudra also rules over and is the father of the Vedic storm warriors, or deities called ‘Maruts’, who are closely associated with the Vedic God Vayu. Interestingly, one of Sri Hanuman's names is Maruti, the son of Vayudev and Rudra.

We also find reference to Sri Hanuman’s Rudra nature in the Hanuman Chalisa, composed by Goswami Tulsidas.

In Verse 6  (chaupai) of his hymn, Tulsidas ji writes ‘Shankar Suvan, Kesari Nandan,’ meaning the son of Lord Shankar (Shiva) and Kesari (Vanar king), highlighting the deep connection between Lord Hanuman and Sri Rudra.

Similarly, in the Shatarudra Samhita (chapter 20: section 3) of the Shiv Puran, Nandishvara explains the circumstances in which Maheshvar Shiv incarnated in the form of Hanuman to help Sri Ram’s mission.

This profound relationship between Sri Rudra and Hanuman is the foundation of the Hanuman Dvadashakshari Mantra.

Read this blog to find out more about the Hanuman Dvadashakshari Mantra, its rich lineage and the benefits of its sadhana.

Highlights of this blog 

• What is the Hanuman Dvadashakshari mantra?
  • The Rudra Connection
  • The Suryadev Connection
  • Sri Hanuman: A Bridge Between Traditions
• Who first imparted the knowledge of the Dvadashakshari Mantra?
• Benefits of Hanuman Dwadashakshari Mantra Sadhana

What is the Hanuman Dvadashakshari Mantra?

(Sri Hanuman crossing the vast seas to reach Lanka)

The term ‘Dvadashakshari’ is made of two Sanskrit words: Dvadash, meaning twelve, and akshari, meaning letters. It is, thus, the twelve-lettered or twelve-syllabled mantra of Sri Hanuman.

The Rudra Connection

While Hanuman is widely popular as a devotee, the Dvadashakshi Mantra invokes his fierce and transformative Rudra aspect. Therefore, it is also known as the Hanuman Rudra Mantra. The primary source of this mantra is believed to be the Rudrayamala Tantra.

One of the key words in the mantra—Rudratmakaya—underlines the deep connection between Sri Hanuman and Sri Rudra. Scriptures such as the Shiv Puran and Skand Purana also recognise Lord Hanuman as an incarnation of Lord Rudra.

yo vai chaikadasho rudro hanuman sah mahakavih।
avatirnan sahayatarth vishnor-mita tejasah।।
                                                    —Skand Puran

{He, who truly is the 11th Rudra, is the great poet Hanuman. Possessing immeasurable brilliance, he has incarnated to assist Lord Vishnu (as Lord Ram)}

The powerful Dvadashakshari mantra is not explicitly mentioned in Mahrishi Valmiki’s Ramayan; however, the epic poem establishes Lord Hanuman's core attributes as Rudra.

In the Sundar Kand,  Lord Hanuman is portrayed as the embodiment of fearlessness, intelligence, strength, and devotion. Maharishi Valmiki describes Hanuman as radiant like fire, invincible, capable of traversing the universe, and possessing the power of both creation and destruction.

The Suryadev Connection

(Lord Hanuman receiving knowledge from his guru, Suryadev)

The 12-lettered Dvadashakshari mantra is also associated with the 12 Adityas, the aspects of Suryadev. Lord Hanuman has the ‘tejas’ of Surya Narayan. As a child, he had tried to swallow Suryadev, mistaking him for a bright fruit. Later on, Suryadev became his Guru and gave him education in the Vedas and scriptures, as well as in the nine Vyakarans (grammars).

As the son of Vayudev, Sri Hanuman is also ‘Mukya Prana’ presiding over the vital life force. He represents the cosmic breath. One of the Beej Mantra (seed syllable) of the Dvadashakshari mantra invokes Lord Hanuma’s vital energy for protection.

Sri Hanuman: A Bridge Between Traditions

Sri Hanuman with Sri Vishnu and Mahadev attributes (Anantamangalam Anjaneya temple: TN)

Lord Hanuman is a common link to Shaiva and Vaishnav traditions. He is the foremost devotee of Lord Ram, Sri Vishnu’s seventh incarnation. Some forms of Lord Hanuman present a beautiful fusion of Shiv and Vishnu energies. For example, he took the fierce Panchmukhi (five-faced) form to kill Ahiravan and save Sri Ram and Lakshman. Panchmukhi Hanuman is depicted with the faces of Garuda (the vahan of Vishnu), Narasimha, Varaha, and Hayagriva (incarnations of Sri Vishnu), while the fifth face is that of Lord Hanuman himself, the 11th Rudra.

The Dvadashakshari mantra has a deep connection with Lord Shiv.

Who first imparted the knowledge of the Dvadashakshari Mantra?

Lord Shiv imparted Deeksha of this mantra to Sri Krishna, who later revealed its secret and initiated Pandava prince Arjun in it.

With sincere practice of the Dvadashakshari Mantra, Arjun pleased Sri Hanuman and, with His blessings, attained victory over the three realms. Due to the power of this mantra, Sri Hanuman was always seated on Arjun’s chariot flag during the Mahabharat war. Under Lord Hanuman’s protection, Arjun achieved victory in that great battle.

Unlock and experience the potent Hanuman Dvadashakshari mantra and participate in the upcoming Dvadashakshari Mantra Sadhana (21 April ‘26–12 May ‘26 ).

For more information, download the Sadhana App.

Benefits of Hanuman Dwadashakshari Mantra Sadhana

Sri Hanuman, the partial manifestation (Ansh avatar) of Lord Rudra, represents highly elevated life energy (prana). Sri Rudra aspect of Bhagwan Shiv is fierce, powerful, and protective. The Dvadashakshari Mantra honours and invokes that same intense ‘Rudra’ energy of Lord Hanuman for blessings.

Here are the key benefits of Hanuman Dvadashakshari Mantra Sadhana:

• Protection from negative forces
• Removal of obstacles
• Increase in strength and courage
• Improvement in focus and meditation
• Growth in devotion and spiritual awareness

According to scriptures, if a Sadhak performs the sadhana of this mantra following prescribed guidelines and with purity and selflessness, they may even receive the Darshan (divine vision) of Lord Hanuman.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Lord Hanuman called Chiranjeevi or immortal?

During childhood, Lord Hanuman flew up in the sky to catch Suryadev (mistaking him for a fruit). Indradev struck Hanuman with his vajra, and he became unconscious. Angered, Lord Hanuman’s celestial father, Vayudev, stopped the flow of air in the universe. Later,  Lord Brahma, Sri Vishnu, and Mahadev pacified Vayudev. The trinity and the Devas granted Hanuman many boons. Lord Shiv blessed him to be Chiranjeevi, while Lord Brahma gave him the boon that Brahmastra would not kill him.

During Hanuman ji’s first meeting with Ma Sita in Ashok Vatika, she also blessed him to be ageless and immortal.

2. Why is Lord Hanuman called Bajrangbali?

The word Bajrangbali is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘vajra-anga.’ Vajra, meaning thunderbolt, and ‘anga’ refers to the body. Thus, Bajrang Bali is the one whose body is as strong and unbreakable as a thunderbolt. This name shows Lord Hanuman’s immense physical strength. It is no surprise, then, that he is seen as a protector and revered by wrestlers across India.

References:

Vanamali (2010). Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of the Monkey God. Inner Traditions. 

Nagar Shantilal (2006) Hanuman Through the Ages. B.R. Publishing Corporation.

*All images in this blog have been created using AI.*