A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.637

c5.637

HANUMĀN, HANUMAT, HANŪMAT. A celebrated monkey chief. He was son of Pavana, ‘the wind,’ by Anjanā, wife of a monkey named Kesarī. He was able to fly, and is a conspicuous figure in the Rāmāyana. He and the other monkeys who assisted Rāma in his war against Rāvana were of divine origin, and their powers were superhuman. Hanumān jumped from India to Ceylon in one bound; he tore up trees, carried away the Himālayas, seized the clouds, and performed many other wonderful exploits. (See Surasā.) His form is “as vast as a mountain and as tall as a gigantic tower. His complexion is yellow and glowing like molten gold. His face is as red as the brightest ruby; while his enormous tail spreads out to an interminable length. He stands on a lofty rock and roars like thunder. He leaps into the air, and flies among the clouds with a rushing noise, whilst the ocean waves are roaring and splashing below.” In one of his fights with Rāvana and the Rākshasas, they greased his tail and set it on fire, but to their own great injury, for with it he burnt down their capital city, Lankā. This exploit obtained for him the name Lankā-dāhī. His services to Rāma were great and many. He acted as his spy, and fought most valiantly. He flew to the Himālayas, from whence he brought medicinal herbs with which he restored the wounded, and he killed the monster Kāla-nemi, and thousands of Gandharvas who assailed him. He accompanied Rāma on his return to Ayodhyā, and there he received from him the reward of perpetual life and youth. The exploits of Hanumān are favourite topics among Hindus from childhood to age, and paintings of them are common. He is called Marut-putra, and he has the patronymics Ānili, Māruti, &c., and the metronymic Ānjaneya. He is also Yoga-chara, from his power in magic or in the healing art, and Rajata-dyuti, ‘the brilliant.’ Among his other accomplishments, Hanumat was a grammarian; and the Rāmāyana says, “The chief of monkeys is perfect; no one equals him in the sāstras, in learning, and in ascertaining the sense of the scriptures [or in moving at will]. In all sciences, in the rules of austerity, he rivals the preceptor of the gods. . . . It is well known that Hanumat was the ninth author of grammar.”—Muir, iv. 490.