In the last newsletter, we learned that Anjana was cursed to become a vanara and was sent, by her father Sage Gautama, to live as the adopted daughter of the great vanara King Kunjara.
 
Though she was going to be a vanara princess, having to leave her father and her childhood home made Anjana feel very sad. Her beauty, which once gave her such pride, was gone and her self-image was shattered. Unable to bear his daughter's melancholy mood, Sage Gautama told Anjana about her previous lives to help her better understand her current situation.
 
He reminded her of the universal law that every living being must follow Lord Shiva's sankalpa. He also told her that she will be experiencing the benefits of Lord Shiva's boon in this life due to the severe penance in her previous births. Hearing these details, Anjana felt better and slowly got accustomed to life as a vanara. In time, King Kujara settled Anjana marriage with the vanara hero, Kesari.
 
Though they both longed for offspring, Kesari and Anjana remained childless for many years. Sage Mathanga, their guru, advised them to perform tapas to Lord Shiva. The couple retired to the Rishabadri hills, known today as the Tirumala hills, to perform tapas.
 
Observing Anjana's severe penance, Vayu Deva sent her one fruit a day while she was immersed in tapas. She consumed the fruit as prasad and continued with her penance and prayers sincerely. One day, Vayu Deva sent Lord Shiva's divine brilliance in the form of a fruit to Anjana. Soon after consuming the divine prasad, Anjana realized that she was pregnant but was puzzled at how it occurred. A heavenly voice or Aakashvani declared to both Anjana and Kesari that it was Lord Shiva's will and soon a great soul will be born to them. The happy couple rejoiced upon hearing this and felt very blessed.
 
On the most auspicious day now celebrated the world over as Hanuman Jayanti, Anjani-putra was born.

To be continued.....