Panchamukha or Panchamukhi, is a Sanskrit word meaning 'five-faced'. The origin of Sri Panchamukhi Hanuman can be traced to a story in Ramayana. During the war between Lord Rama and Ravana, Ravana took help of Ahiravana, the king of Patala. Lord Hanuman in order to protect Lord Rama formed a fortress with his tail. Ahiravana took the form of Vibhishana, the noble brother of Ravana and took Lord Ram and Lakshman to Patala loka. Hanuman Ji entered patala loka in search of Rama and Lakshmana, He found that life of Ahiravana was hidden in the five lamps which were placed in different directions. He could be killed only by extinguishing all five lamps the same time. To accomplish this Hanuman ji had to take the form of Panchamukha Hanuman. Theshivatribe. This form of Hanuman has five faces. Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha are the four other faces along with Hanuman's face. Hanuman using the five faces in different directions blows air to extinguish the lamps there by killing Ahiravana.
According to Hanumath Prakaranam in Sri Vidyarnavatantram, Anjaneya has five faces and ten weapons. Hanuman Ji is a great yogi having transcended the five senses (Pancha Indriyas). In Kamba Ramayanam (in Tamil), the significance of number five is beautifully narrated as follows: The son of one of the five elements (son of wind - Pavana Thanaya) crossed one of the five elements (water – the ocean), through one of the five elements (sky), met daughter of one of the five elements (daughter of earth - Sita Devi) burnt down Lanka by one of the five elements (fire). It is considered auspicious to go around the Hanuman idol 5 times, 14 times, 23 times, 32 times or with such numbers the digits of which add to five.
Om Aanjaneyaya Vidhmahi Panchvaktraya Dhimahi Tanno Hanumate Prachodayat.
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