Hanuman
Monkey hero of the Ramayana and devoted ally of Rama
- Known from
- Valmiki's Ramayana
- Father
- Vayu, the wind god
- Famous deed
- Leap across the sea to Lanka to find Sita
- Worship
- Widely worshipped across India
- Influence
- Linked to the Monkey King of China's Journey to the West
The monkey hero who leaps the sea to Lanka, finds Sita, and sees the Pushpaka flying car resting in Ravana's city.
What is Hanuman known for?
Hanuman is the monkey hero of the Ramayana, a son of the wind god Vayu. His name is traditionally linked to a story in which the god Indra struck him on the jaw (hanu) when he was a child. He becomes a devoted servant and ally of Rama.
In the epic's fifth book, the Sundara Kanda, Hanuman crosses the strait to Lanka in a single leap to search for the abducted Sita. While searching Ravana's palace he sees the Pushpaka, the vast flying car, and marvels at it. He finds Sita, sets fire to Lanka, and returns with news. Later he carries a mountain of healing herbs from the Himalayas to revive Rama's wounded army.
Hanuman is among the most widely worshipped figures in Hinduism, usually shown as a red-faced monkey standing upright, and he is a model of devotion. Many scholars see him as one inspiration for Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of the Chinese novel Journey to the West.
His search of Lanka is where the Ramayana first describes the Pushpaka vimana in detail.
Mentioned on these pages
- Rabbit holePushpaka Vimana
- PersonRama
- PersonRavana
- PersonSita
- PlaceLanka
Sources
- Valmiki, Ramayana, trans. Ralph T. H. Griffith, sacred-texts.comPrimary text
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Hanuman'Reference
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