Introduction
Hanuman is a Vanara, one of the forest-dwelling, monkey-like people in the Ramayana, and Rama's most devoted follower. He is famous for his enormous strength, his intelligence, his loyalty and his humility. He is one of the most widely worshipped figures in India.
This article primarily follows the Valmiki Ramayana. Where a well-known detail comes from later retellings or devotional texts, the article says so.
Words to Know
Vanara: a forest-dwelling, monkey-like people.
Kishkindha: the Vanara kingdom ruled by Sugriva.
Sundara Kanda: the fifth book of the Ramayana, which centres on Hanuman's journey to Lanka.
Sanjeevani: a herb that revives and heals. It is used in the story to save Lakshmana.
Chiranjivi: one who lives for a very long time, or forever.
Names
Hanuman is also called Maruti, Anjaneya, Pavanaputra, Vayuputra, Kesarinandan, Bajrangbali, Mahavira and Sankatmochan. "Anjaneya" means "son of Anjana", and "Pavanaputra" and "Vayuputra" mean "son of the wind".
Family
Mother: Anjana.
Father: Kesari, a Vanara chief. Hanuman is also called the son of Vayu, the wind god, who blessed the birth.
Birth and Childhood
Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari, and Vayu, the wind god, is also considered his father. As a child he saw the rising sun and, thinking it a fruit, leapt into the sky to catch it. Indra, the king of the gods, struck him with his thunderbolt, and Hanuman fell to the earth with a wounded jaw. His name comes from hanu, "jaw".
His father Vayu was so angry that he stopped the wind, and the world began to suffocate. To calm him, the gods gave Hanuman many boons, including strength, protection from weapons and a very long life.
Valmiki adds that because Hanuman used his powers playfully as a child, sages cursed him to forget how strong he was, until someone reminded him at the right time.
Meeting Rama
Hanuman served Sugriva, who had been driven out of Kishkindha by his brother Vali. When Rama and Lakshmana arrived searching for Sita, Sugriva sent Hanuman to speak to them, disguised as a wandering monk. Rama was so impressed by his polite and precise speech that he told Lakshmana that no one could speak so well without deep learning.
Hanuman took Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva and helped them make their alliance. From then on, he was Rama's most loyal servant.
The Leap Across the Ocean
The Vanaras searched all directions for Sita. The group in the south learned from the vulture Sampati that Sita was in Lanka, across the sea. No one could jump so far, until the elder Jambavan reminded Hanuman of his own powers. Hanuman grew to a huge size and leapt from Mount Mahendra.
On the way, he was tested. The mountain Mainaka rose from the sea to give him rest, and he politely refused. The serpent-mother Surasa tried to swallow him, and he outwitted her by growing and then shrinking. The Rakshasi Simhika, who caught flying creatures by their shadows, was killed by Hanuman. At Lanka's gate, the city's guardian goddess Lankini stopped him, and he struck her, after which she let him in and told him that Lanka's fall was near.
Searching Lanka
Hanuman entered Lanka at night, shrinking to the size of a cat. He searched palaces, gardens and even Ravana's own chambers. He was troubled to be looking at sleeping women, but concluded his mind stayed pure, since he was only looking for Sita.
He finally found Sita in the Ashoka grove, thin, tired and guarded by Rakshasis. He gave her Rama's ring and told her Rama's story to win her trust. She gave him her crest jewel as a sign for Rama. Hanuman offered to carry her back, but Sita refused, saying Rama himself must come to rescue her.
Burning Lanka
Hanuman then decided to test Lanka's strength. He destroyed the grove and fought Ravana's guards, including one of Ravana's sons, Aksha. Indrajit captured him with a divine weapon. In Ravana's court, Hanuman spoke boldly, warning Ravana to return Sita. Ravana ordered him killed, but Vibhishana argued that a messenger should not be killed. Ravana ordered his tail set on fire instead.
Hanuman broke free, grew larger and leapt from roof to roof, setting Lanka on fire with his burning tail. He then feared that Sita might have been harmed, but saw that she was safe. He returned across the sea to bring the news to Rama.
The War
In the war, Hanuman fought many Rakshasa warriors. In one battle, Rama rode into combat on Hanuman's shoulders. When Lakshmana fell, Jambavan told Hanuman to fetch healing herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman flew north, and unable to identify the right herb, he lifted the whole peak and brought it back. Lakshmana was revived.
After the War
Rama sent Hanuman ahead to Ayodhya to tell Bharata that he was returning. When Rama was crowned, Sita gave Hanuman a necklace as a gift. A popular later story adds that he bit into each jewel to check for Rama's name and said he valued nothing without it. This story is not in Valmiki's text.
According to the Uttara Kanda, when Rama offered Hanuman a boon, Hanuman asked to remain alive for as long as Rama's story was told on earth. Rama granted it. For this reason he is considered chiranjivi, still alive in the world.
Character
Hanuman is powerful but modest. He is loyal, clever, honest and brave, and he is skilled in speech and diplomacy as well as combat. He never seeks credit for himself. In devotional traditions he is the ideal bhakta, the perfect devotee.
Legacy
Hanuman is worshipped across India, and Tuesdays and Saturdays are days when many devotees visit his temples. He is honoured as the giver of strength and courage, and as a remover of troubles, which is what the name Sankatmochan means. The Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn of forty verses traditionally attributed to the poet Tulsidas, is recited by millions. Wrestlers and athletes often honour him as their patron. He also appears in Ramayana traditions in Southeast Asia, including the Thai Ramakien.