1) Once there was an Apsara named Anjana who descended on earth as she was tired with life in heaven. When on earth, she began wondering through the forests. Once she came across a monkey who was meditating in the forest.
2. Anjana was amused to see a meditating monkey and she laughed and ridiculed him. Moreover she also threw stones at this monkey which disturbed his meditation. Once the monkey woke up from his meditation, he was greatly angered and cursed Anjana.
3. The curse stated that Anjana would turn into a monkey herself. The curse could only be lifted if Anjana gave birth to an offspring of Lord Shiva. Anjana’s crime was disturbing a meditating sage; which was a punishable deed in the eyes of God.
4. As the curse took its effect, Anjana did really turn into a monkey. She was so frightened that she started running away from the monkey sage. As she grew quite tired Anjana decided to rest under the shade of a banyan tree.
5. When Anjana woke up from her deep slumber she noticed a Shivling under the banyan tree. Remembering the curse of the sage, Anjana decided to devote her life to the worship of Lord Shiva in the hope that she would be forgiven.
6. For three long years Anjana began to meditate constantly without any food, water or rest. Impressed with her dedicated penance, Lord Shiva gave a boon to Anjana that she would bear the son of Vayu. Her curse would be lifted once she gave birth.
7. Vayu carried king Dasharath’s magic pudding from Ayodha and dropped it on Anjana’s lap. Anjana broke her fast by eating this pudding. After eating it she was informed that she would soon give birth to Vayu’s son, who would also be a monkey.
8. Soon Hanuman was born. Anjana informed little Hanuman that he was an Avatar of Lord Shiva and that Vayu was his father. Soon after that she turned into her Apsara form and flew to heaven. Hanuman was sad when his mother left him but Vayu comforted him and promised to fulfill all of Hanuman’s wishes.
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