Hanuman’s Leap of Faith

Most of us are aware of the Splits Pose also known as Hanumanasana, and sometimes called Monkey Pose. Many do not know the story of this pose and just how powerful and inspiring it is.

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The story of Hanuman comes from the Ramayana, a Hindu Sanskrit poem that is one of the core mythologies in Asia. The Ramayana is a world-famous ancient Hindu poem that tells the story of Hanuman's adventures.

As told within the story, Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana and taken to his island kingdom of Lanka. In his quest to rescue her, Rama enlisted the help of Hanuman, the devoted monkey deity. To locate Sita, Hanuman had to leap across the vast ocean separating India from Lanka — a feat that required extraordinary strength, faith, and courage. Guided by his unwavering devotion to Rama and fuelled by a divine sense of purpose, Hanuman extended his body to its full potential, into a full split pose soaring through the skies to fulfil his mission. Upon reaching Lanka, he found Sita, reassured her of Rama's love and determination, and helped pave the way for her eventual rescue.

This leap of faith is celebrated as a symbol of devotion, strength, and the limitless power we can summon when driven by a noble cause. Hanuman’s leap is more than a mythological feat; it is a metaphor for extending ourselves to our fullest potential in pursuit of a cause that ignites our deepest passion. It reminds us that the power to achieve the impossible is within us, waiting to be activated by our devotion and determination.

The Superhuman Within; Passion as the Catalyst for Potential

Hanuman’s leap represents the kind of strength that arises in moments of great necessity — an ability often described as superhuman. Stories of individuals achieving incredible physical feats during emergencies, such as a parent lifting a car to save a child pinned underneath, highlight this innate potential we have inside of us. These bursts of power are fuelled by adrenaline and an unshakable focus on what matters most in that moment.

Hanuman’s story takes this concept further. His strength was not born solely from an emergency but from his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his mission to rescue Sita. This suggests that we can channel similar extraordinary power not just in moments of dire need, but also through intense passion and dedication to something meaningful — whether it’s a cause, a creative pursuit, or out of sheer love.

A Metaphor for Devotion, Strength, and Potential.

When we are profoundly devoted to a worthy endeavour, every cell of our body can activate in ways we never imagined possible tapping into hidden reserves of energy, focus, and strength.

The Splits Pose: A Symbol of Devotion

In the practice of yoga, Hanuman’s leap is often depicted through the split pose (Hanumanasana), a posture that not many people can successfully do. This challenging posture takes heaps of flexibility, strength, balance, agility and discipline to achieve — qualities that also define Hanuman’s heroic act.

Working towards a full split, whether you achieve it or not, is a form of devotion. It requires patience, dedication, and the engagement of countless muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The process of striving for this pose mirrors the journey of pursuing a meaningful goal. Not everybody is capable of achieving a full split, and that’s perfectly okay. What matters is the intention, effort, and devotion you bring to the practice.

Your Leap of Faith

Hanuman’s story encourages us to identify our own version of a leap of faith. What cause or goal ignites your passion so profoundly that it activates every part of your being? How can you channel that intensity into your daily life, not just in extraordinary moments but as a consistent force for growth and contribution? How can you live with greater intensity and purpose, using your full potential for what truly inspires you?

Just when you think you may be giving your all, we can always find ways to stretch beyond our perceived limits in service of a purpose that fills us with meaning. Whether it’s striving for a yoga pose, committing to a business, art or project, or simply nurturing a deep love, every effort towards something noble is a leap worth taking. When we truly believe in ourselves and our potential, the possibilities of achievement are infinite.

In the end, Hanuman’s leap is a reminder that within each of us lies untapped potential — waiting to be awakened by the fire of devotion. Take your leap. The world awaits the power of your passion.