Hanuman

Author : Peter Vredeveld

Hanuman was an ardent devotee of Rama and one of the central characters in the Indian epic Ramayana. He was the son of Vayu, who, according to several stories, played a role in his birth. As a child, Hanuman lost his ability to speak when he tried to taste the sun, mistaking it for a fruit. His skill as an archer and his strength made him a formidable warrior. Hanuman was pivotal in the Ramayana War by retrieving the stolen Sanjivani buti from Lanka. During the battle between Rama and Ravana, Hanuman killed many demon warriors, including Jambumali, Aksha, and Mahaparshva. He fought with Ravana but was ultimately defeated and captured by him. Rama permitted him to attack Lanka on his own. He hopped over the ocean towards Lanka, burning it with his tail on fire.

Afterward, he brought Sita back to Rama, joining them in their return journey to Ayodhya.

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Hanuman: Devotee of Rama

Hanuman was an ardent devotee of Rama and one of the central characters in Ramayana. He is considered a deity in Hinduism, and his exploits form part of the folklore of India. Hanuman is popularly known as Anjaneya, but other names include Bajrangbali (the one who conquers fear) and simply 'Hanuman.'

Hanuman's birth is described in Valmiki Ramayana as follows:

"Once upon a time there lived on Mount Kailash a monkey named Sugriva with his wife Anjani at Chandravati near Himavat range near Alaka Parvat. After some time, Sugriva left his wife Anjani alone because she could not bear children."

Hanuman: The son of Vayu

According to several stories, Hanuman was Vayu's son, who played a role in his birth. Vayu is the Hindu god of wind and one of the most important gods in Hinduism. He is also known as Anila, Pavana, Marut, and Vatha.

Some legends say he was born when an eagle dropped him on Earth from its talons. In other versions, he was born out of an egg laid by his father when he jumped into the water after being startled by a lioness's roar (which may have been inspired by this incident).

Childhood of Hanuman

Hanuman was a child when he tried to taste the sun, mistaking it for a fruit. Because of this, he lost his ability to speak and had to learn sign language instead. As he grew older, Hanuman learned to communicate with animals instead of people because they could understand him better than any other creature.

Hanuman: The Formidable Warrior

Hanuman was a skilled archer who could fire arrows as fast as an arrow could be fired. His strength and skills made him a formidable warrior.

Hanuman could shoot many arrows at once; he could shoot lightning bolts that would strike multiple enemies at once (one of which would kill them).

He used his strength, skill, and strategy knowledge to defeat Ravana's army in battle.

Hanuman: Pivotal Role in Ramayana

In the Ramayana, Hanuman was pivotal in retrieving the stolen Sanjivani buti from Lanka. He was the only one who could take it to Rama, and thus, he flew there on his own.

The story goes that after he retrieved the buti, Rama used its power to cure Lakshmana, who had been injured during their journey through forests.

The following are some of the most famous facts about Hanuman:

1. Hanuman was captured by Ravana, who tried to kill him. Then, he was rescued by Vibhishan and imprisoned in a cage for many years.
2. In the epic of Ramayana, Rama gave Hanuman a unique weapon, which he used to burn Lanka. The gun was on fire, burning everything as Hanuman hopped over the ocean toward Lanka. He had a mission: to rescue Sita from Ravana's clutches.
3. After Ravana's death, he brought Sita back to Rama, joining them on their journey to Ayodhya. He is celebrated around India to this day.

Hanuman - The Brave: Conclusion

Hanuman is one of the most potent and respected Hindu deities in Indian mythology. For centuries, he has been celebrated as a symbol of courage, selflessness, and strength. His story is celebrated across India today, with numerous temples featuring statues dedicated to him, much like other Hindu gods. Statues in his honor can be found in every state of India. In addition, Hanuman's story—his life before becoming an avatar (chosen one) or hero—is told through the epic poem Ramayana.

Hanuman's bravery was praised by everyone who knew him: even his parents were proud of their son's actions during a battle with Lord Rama's brothers.

Hanuman is one of the most influential figures in Indian mythology. He was a devoted devotee of Rama, and many stories revolve around him. His bravery and strength made him a formidable warrior, but he also played an essential role in the Ramayana War by retrieving the stolen Sanjivani buti from Lanka. During this period, Hanuman was usually portrayed as a monkey or humanoid creature with large ears and a tail that burned fire. When Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana in Lanka, Hanuman brought Sita back home with him, after which he joined them on their return journey to Ayodhya, where they lived happily ever after.