Chapter One — The Eight Meanings of Saṅgara

2. Wondrous acceptance

Whoever Hanuman accepts, Sita and Rama accept.

3. A wondrous bargain

All the gods and goddesses within the universe make bargains—that is, they accept someone and later abandon that person when they cannot properly protect what they have acquired. Hanuman alone makes the bargain and then protects it completely. Whether the bargain is with Bhagavan or with Bhagavan’s devotee, he safeguards both. Even if thousands of Ravanas came to fight, they could not withstand him.

4. Wondrous battle

Seeing Anjani’s son in his extraordinary warfare, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, Rama, Lakshmana, all gods and goddesses, and even his mighty enemy Ravana are amazed. Tulsidas describes the battle:

He strikes elephants against elephants, horses against horses, and shatters chariot with chariot—such is the strength of the mighty one. With quick slaps, blows, kicks, and crushing feet, the demon hosts reel and break. Rama repeatedly praises his servant; Tulsi praises the discerning Lord’s way. His long, shining tail coils round warriors and hurls them down—Lakshmana, behold Hanuman’s warfare!

He springs upon some and crushes them; some he drowns in the sea; some he drives into the earth and others he flings into the sky. He seizes some and dashes them down, tears out hands and feet, splits others apart, wrings them, and kicks them. Tulsi sees Rama, Ravana, the gods, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Chandi marvel. Great monkey warriors and commanders among the demons fall before the Wind-god’s son.

5. Wondrous knowledge

Knowing the intentions of his chosen Lord, Hanuman can manifest himself as female or male, subtle or gross, and cosmic in extent through the power of the eight perfections.