At the end of the mythical Churning of the Ocean, Amrut (the nectar of immortality) sprang up and was captured by the Asuras (demons). The Asuras represent our base instincts – including and specifically Lust. If our base instincts became unconquerable, then spiritual work is futile. Vishnu is the Operator from amongst the main Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva). He was overseeing the Churning of the Ocean, as he oversees everything. He is the God of Illusion – he controls the layers of illusion that cloud our perception. Illusion is essential to the operation of the manifested universe. To stop the Asuras, he took upon the form of the most beautiful woman ever seen – Mohini – literally meaning “delusion personified”.

The Asuras were enchanted by her and agreed to let her distribute the Amrut. She distributed it all to the Devas (deities) – who were thereby able to defeat the Asuras.

Shiva, who is very close with Vishnu, heard about this. Shiva is the Adi Yogi – the first yogi. He is represented as being impossible to distract from his penance. He went to Vishnu and expressed curiosity to see his Mohini form. Vishnu warned him that his meditative penance skills would melt in the presence of the delusory beauty of Mohini. Shiva was up for the challenge. Vishnu took upon the form of Mohini. Shiva lost and was overcome with Lust. He came and his powerful seed was carried to a monkey named, Anjana. From that was born, Anjaneya, more commonly known as Hanuman – the monkey God of Ramayana. Hanuman, thus is a son of Shiva and is also considered an avatar of Shiva.

In the Ramayana, Hanuman is portrayed as being ultimately devoted to Rama, the hero, who was an avatar of Vishnu. Hanuman’s devotion to Rama was unmatched and in esoteric Hinduism, Hanuman is considered devotion personified. There is a story within the Ramayana myth where Hanuman tears open his chest to reveal his heart where you see Rama residing.

The intensity of Hanuman’s Devotion to Rama is sourced from the intensity of Lust that the immovable meditator Shiva experienced when he saw Vishnu in the most ultimate feminine manifestation of Illusion.

Most mainstream spiritual paths talk about practicing restraint when dealing with Lust. There is another way to overcome Lust. By alchemizing it into Devotion by seeing clearly through the layers of Illusion in the moment one is experiencing Lust.

Lust stripped of Illusion is Devotion.

Devotion is the measure of the Heart and as such, is the essence of Love.