Hanuman
हनुमान
Hanuman is the mighty vanara (monkey-faced) deity revered as the supreme symbol of devotion, selfless service, and unwavering loyalty to Lord Rama. As the son of Vayu (the wind god) and Anjana, he possesses incredible supernatural powers including the ability to fly, change size at will, and move mountains. His central role in the Ramayana, where he served as Rama's greatest ally in the war against Ravana, has made him the most celebrated devotee in Hindu tradition. Hanuman represents the ideal of perfect bhakti (devotion), demonstrating that through selfless love and surrender to God, one can achieve extraordinary feats and transcend all limitations.
Iconography & Appearance
Hanuman is depicted as a muscular figure with a monkey face, often shown kneeling in devotion with folded hands before Rama and Sita. He is frequently portrayed in a heroic pose — flying through the sky carrying a mountain (Dronagiri) of healing herbs, or tearing open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita seated in his heart. His body is typically red or orange (representing the sindoor he applied all over himself for Rama's well-being), and he carries a golden mace (gada) in one hand. His long tail, sometimes depicted ablaze from the burning of Lanka, is a distinctive feature of his iconography.
Key Stories & Legends
Hanuman Leaps Across the Ocean
When Sita was abducted and taken to Lanka across the vast ocean, it was Hanuman alone among the entire vanara army who had the power to make the colossal leap across the sea. Expanding his body to an enormous size, he leaped from the southern tip of India and flew over the ocean, overcoming obstacles including a she-demon who tried to swallow him and a mountain that rose from the sea to offer rest. Upon reaching Lanka, he searched the entire city and finally found Sita in the Ashoka grove, delivering Rama's message of hope. This incredible feat earned him the title Mahavira (great hero) and demonstrated the limitless power of faith and devotion.
Burning of Lanka
After delivering Rama's message to Sita, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured by Ravana's forces to assess the strength of Lanka's defenses. Ravana ordered his tail to be set on fire as punishment, but Sita prayed that the fire would not harm him. With his tail ablaze, Hanuman broke free, grew to an immense size, and leaped from building to building across Lanka, setting the golden city on fire. He then extinguished his tail in the ocean and returned to Rama with vital intelligence about Lanka's military strength and layout, turning his apparent punishment into a strategic advantage.
Hanuman Brings the Sanjeevani Mountain
During the fierce battle in Lanka, Lakshmana was struck by a powerful weapon and lay mortally wounded. The physician Sushena said that only the Sanjeevani herb, found on the Dronagiri mountain in the Himalayas, could save him, and it had to be brought before dawn. Hanuman flew to the Himalayas with the speed of wind but could not identify the specific herb among thousands of plants. Without hesitation, he uprooted the entire mountain and carried it back to the battlefield in time to save Lakshmana's life. This act exemplifies Hanuman's boundless strength, quick thinking, and absolute devotion to serving Rama and those dear to him.
Sacred Mantras
Salutations to Lord Hanuman, the embodiment of strength, devotion, and selfless service.
I take refuge in Hanuman, who is swift as the mind, fast as the wind, master of the senses, the foremost among the wise, son of the wind god, chief of the monkey army, and the messenger of Lord Rama.
By remembering Hanuman, one gains intelligence, strength, fame, courage, fearlessness, good health, freedom from laziness, and eloquence of speech.