The Rudra which is non-different from Agni / Parama Purusha / Indweller in the Heart of Jiva (Antaryami) is considered to be the supreme purusha of the Universe.
This Agni becomes Visvedevatas, Marut Ganas, Vaayu (Mukhya / Sreshta (chief) Prana). The Hanuman which is Mukhya Swarupa with dual aspects of Agni and Vaayu is considered to be an aspect of Rudra (Maha Rudra Avatar).
In Veda, the Parama Purusha which is non-different from Agni manifests itself in 3-fold i.e, Agni in Prithvi (Bhu), Agni in Mid Air (Vydyutagni Agni) (Bhuvah), Agni in Sun (Sauragni) (Suvah).
This Vyudyutagni, which is non-different from Indra, an aspect of Rudra in Mid Air, which is the chief controller of Marut and Vaayu is considered as Father of Marut Ganas. This Indra-Agni Shakti is always associated with Visvedevatas and Maruts (Vaayu).
This two-fold aspect of Bhagavan Rudra i.e, Indra-Vayu combined, rule the Mid Air where Earth and Heaven meet.
This Vyudyutagni is said to have holding the weapon “Thunder Bolt”.
This couple Marut-Vaayu is also called Mukhya Praana or Sreshta Praana in Veda.
It is this two-fold Agni that is Indra-Vaayu that presides over the Mid Air becoming 11-fold pervading in 11 different directions (in 10 directions + 1 in the Middle).
These are the Ekadasa (11) Rudras.
They are:
1) Prabhrajamanah (The Refulgent)
2) Vyavadatah (The All-Spreading)
3) Vaasuki Vyudyutah (The Lightning of Indra)
4) Rajatah (The Silvery One)
5) Syamah (The Darkish One)
6) Kapilah (The Jet Black One)
7) Lohitah (The Red One)
8) Ati Lohitah (The Ruddish One)
9) Urdhvah (The Upward Going One)
10) Apavantah (The Descending One)
11) Vyudyutah (The Lightening One).
These 11 Rudras pervade in 8 directions, (1) one above, (1) one below, and one in the Middle along with their Rudranis.
The 11th Rudra which is in the Middle, is the heart of everything, the Antaryami of Jiva and Parama Purusha. This 11th Rudra inspires the individual along with his 10 aspects presiding over 10 pranas, 5 jnanendriyas and 5 karmendriyas of the Jiva. These 11 rudras pervade the three worlds in Bhu, Bhuvah, Suvah.
10 rudras (excluding the middle one) each become 10-fold again.
So, 10x10 = 100 rudras.
These sata (100) rudras are extolled in Rudra Adhyaya and hence, it is called Sata Rudriya.
Rudra Abhisheka done to Rudra rupa Siva along with Namaka and Chamaka propitiate these 100 Rudras which give health, prosperity, peace, longevity to the Upasaka.
This Rudra has again 2 forms i.e, Ghora (Fierce) and Aghora (Calm).
He holds the arrows that are of the form of Anna (food), Vaata (Vaayu) and Varsha (Rain).
In his Ghora form, he punishes the Jiva with indigestion, diseases related to Vaata Doshas, drought, famine and floods.
In his Aghora Rupa, he nourishes us with good harvest of paddy, timely rains, nourishing food, medicines, vitality, mental peace, health and prosperity.
Now, this Mukhya / Sreshta Praana is interpreted as “Mukhe Bhavati Iti Mukhya Pranaha” i.e, that which resides in the jaw.
One of the greatest saints of Madhva Philosophy is the Raghavendra Tirtha of Mantralayam. He was a great upasaka of Moola Rama and Anjaneya. This great saint, in exposing the Madhva Siddhanta, in one of his commentaries, quotes that Hanuma is the aspect of Vaayu which is the Praana Tattva in Macro as well as Microcosm.
This Vaayu devata is the messenger and chief diety at Vaikuntha Loka where Vishnu resides (as per dvaita philosophy).
For dvaitas, they have to serve Vaayu devata to get the grace of Lord Vishnu.
As per dvaita philosophy “Hari Sarvottamah Vaayu Jivottamah”. Hari at Vaikunta Loka is the most supreme lord whereas the Vaayu which is the Praana Devata, the deity of Vital Force is most supreme among the Individuals.
Praana, an aspect of Vaayu, being the vital force in our body assumes 5 chief forms:
1) Praana 2) Apaana 3) Vyaana 4) Udaana 5) Samaana.
These five forms of praanas are the 5 faces of Lord Pancha Mukha Hanuman.
Again these 5 praana tattvas are under the control of Mukhya Praana, as mentioned above.
Again, Hanuma is also having an aspect of Agni in him as he is a Rudra Virya Samudbhava. Hence, Hanuma is considered as dual aspect of Vaayu and Agni and shines as Vydyutagni Swarupa.
His weapon is also Vajraa (thunder bolt) (pl. refer Hanuman Chalia of Tulasidasa: “Haath Vaajra aur Dhwaja Viraje….).
Hence, in order to get the grace of Rama (Hari Sarvottama), one has to surrender to the Hanuman (Jivottama) who paves the way for Vaikuntha.
This was expounded by Raghavendra Thirtha.