Dr. Svoboda teaches a simple song for Hanuman, the son of the wind and representative of the life force (Prana) in the body, who helps Rama recover his love Sita in the epic Indian tale the Ramayana. Dr. Svoboda gives an in depth look at the meaning behind the words, the singing of which can help us to improve our relationship to our own Prana.

“Jaya Hanuman” was taught to me by Swami Gyanananda Giri, who recently passed away after living as a sadhu in India for about sixty years. He was born in Switzerland, came to India in his early twenties, and never left. Every evening he performed kirtan and bhajan. He was fond of saying that you have to pay energetically for every word you speak, but singing is free.
Of the many songs he sang, this is one I always appreciated, and many people to whom I have taught it have also enjoyed it. I will go through it word by word, then sing it slowly and a little more quickly.

Jaya Hanuman ati balavanta. Rama-nāma rasa de. Prabhu mana basa de.

Jaya means victory to Hanuman. Ati means beyond all limits, and balavanta means mighty. Rama-nāma is the name of Rama: the Rama whom Hanuman knew in the Ramayana, and also the supreme Ātman to whom Hanuman relates in the form of prana.

Rasa de means, “Give the rasa, the juice, of Rama’s name.” Prabhu means master or Lord, a word used here to address Hanuman. Mana means mind. Basa de means, “Please seat or establish yourself within.” The full sense is: victory to Hanuman, mighty beyond all limits; give me the rasa of Rama’s name; O Lord, establish yourself in my mind.

Jaya Hanuman ati balavanta. Rama-nāma rasa de. Prabhu mana basa de.