We had seen the many incidents in the life of Ravana which have been a vent for his greed and ambition to fight and defeat the most powerful across different realms. While he remained victorious across the board, there are some instances which still humbled and humiliated him. Kartavirya Arjuna, the thousand-armed king of the Haihayas and ruler of Mahishmati, captured Ravana in a significant confrontation. Arjuna had dammed the Narmada River with his arms, disrupting Ravana's ritual offerings. Furious, Ravana challenged Arjuna, but the Haihaya king’s strength proved unmatched. In a fierce battle, Arjuna defeated Ravana, captured him, and paraded him as a prisoner in Mahishmati. Ravana was only freed after the intervention of Pulastya, Ravana’s grandfather and a revered sage, who requested Arjuna to release him out of respect for the sage’s lineage. Ravana’s arrogance led him to Kishkindha, the kingdom of the vanaras, to challenge Vali, the king of the apes. Vali was known for his unmatched physical strength and golden garland, which made him invincible in combat. While Vali was performing sandhya rituals (evening prayers) at the southern ocean, Ravana attempted to attack him stealthily. Unfazed, Vali seized Ravana with his immense strength, tucking him under his arm like a toy. Vali then carried Ravana across the skies to the four oceans, performing his sandhya rites at each stop. Exhausted and humbled, Ravana was released by Vali, who later accepted him as a friend. Looking at the strength of Vali, Rama addresses the sages saying Hanuman is much more powerful than Vali and in turn Ravana. We can look at the important incidents from Hanuman's life told by sages when he was a child in the following chapters.
Rama deeply admires and appreciates Hanuman in front of everyone for everything he had done to locate Sita and defeat Ravana. The sages recounts Hanuman as someone with immense potential which will be realized by a war as large as with Ravana.
In chapter 35, the story of Hanuman’s childhood is detailed by the sages to Rama.
Rama, deeply humbled and respectful, addresses a sage and acknowledges the immense contributions of Hanuman. Despite the unparalleled strength of Vali and Ravana, Rama claims that Hanuman’s valor, strength, and wisdom surpass all. Hanuman’s legendary accomplishments are recounted, particularly his leap across the ocean to Lanka, where he found Sita, comforted her, and wreaked havoc on Ravana’s forces. Hanuman's single-handed destruction of the enemy's warriors, ministers, and even Ravana’s son is described as unparalleled. Rama acknowledges that without Hanuman, the recovery of Sita, victory in the war, and even the preservation of his kingdom and relationships would have been impossible. He reflects on why Hanuman, during the conflict between Sugriva and Vali, did not unleash his full power, concluding that it was likely because Hanuman was unaware of his own strength at that time.
In response to Rama’s inquiry, the sage begins narrating Hanuman’s origins and a divine curse that initially made him ignorant of his great power. The sage describes Hanuman’s lineage, born to Kesari, the ruler of a golden mountain named Sumeru, and Anjana, his devoted mother. Blessed by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman was extraordinary from birth. As a young child, Hanuman was left alone by his mother in a desolate area as she wandered off to find fruit. Overcome by hunger, Hanuman began crying, much like a helpless child caught in reeds. At that moment, the rising sun appeared in the sky, glowing red like a japa flower. Mistaking the sun for a ripe fruit, the infant Hanuman leapt towards it with unparalleled speed and force. This remarkable leap through the sky astonished the gods, danavas (demons), and siddhas (spiritual beings), who marveled at the infant’s power, speed, and energy. Vayu, Hanuman’s divine father, followed closely behind, using his own strength to cool the child and shield him from the sun’s intense heat.
As Hanuman approached the sun, the sun god, Surya, recognized the child’s innocence and refrained from harming him. On the same day, however, Rahu, the demon who seeks to swallow the sun and moon during eclipses, had set out to seize the sun. When Rahu found Hanuman leaping toward the sun with great force, he was shocked and frightened. Thinking his prey had been stolen, Rahu fled to Indra, the king of the gods, and angrily reported that someone else had seized the sun. Indra, alarmed at Rahu’s report, immediately mounted his celestial elephant Airavata, a magnificent, golden-decorated beast, and approached the scene alongside Rahu. There, Indra found Hanuman, a mere child, glowing radiantly and appearing as vast and powerful as a mountain. Indra watched Hanuman release the sun and instead turn his attention to Airavata, mistaking the enormous elephant for another fruit. The child’s innocent mischief was coupled with terrifying power, as he lunged toward the elephant with incredible force.
Indra, realizing the child’s divine energy, became enraged. With his characteristic weapon, the vajra (thunderbolt), Indra struck Hanuman. The mighty blow caused Hanuman to fall from the sky, shattering his left jawbone. The impact rendered the young Hanuman unconscious. Witnessing this, Vayu, the wind god, was overcome with grief and fury. Out of anger at the harm done to his son, Vayu withdrew his powers from the world. This caused catastrophic consequences for all living beings. Without the wind to enable breathing, the creatures of the world—humans, animals, and gods—began to suffocate. Their bodies became rigid, and life in the three worlds ground to a halt. Religious rites and sacrifices ceased, and dharma (righteousness) was abandoned as chaos reigned. The entire universe felt like a place of suffering and torment, resembling hell. Alarmed and desperate, all living beings—gods, Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Asuras (demons), and humans—rushed to Prajapati, the creator god, pleading for relief.
Prajapati, witnessing the devastation, approached Brahma, the supreme god of creation. Alongside other gods, Brahma intervened, seeking out Vayu to pacify him. They offered prayers and assurances to the wind god, pleading for the restoration of balance to the universe. As part of their resolution, Hanuman was granted boons that restored his health and further empowered him. The shattered jaw that had given him his name—“Hanuman,” derived from “hanu” meaning jaw—was healed, and he became even more formidable. Despite his power, the gods placed a curse on him that would cause him to forget his extraordinary abilities unless reminded of them in times of great need. This curse was meant to temper his energy, as his childhood antics, though innocent, had proven too destructive for the world to bear.
Through this narrative, the sage reveals the reason why Hanuman was initially unaware of his immense power. His strength, speed, and divine abilities, while extraordinary, were veiled until circumstances demanded their full display. Rama, listening intently, comes to understand Hanuman’s unparalleled nature and the divine forces that shaped him. The story emphasizes Hanuman’s innocence, devotion, and latent might, which would later manifest fully during Rama’s quest to rescue Sita and defeat Ravana. His life serves as a testament to the gradual realization of one’s true potential when guided by righteous purpose.
In chapter 36, how Hanuman was cursed by the ascetics is detailed by the sages.
The narrative recounts the origins and extraordinary boons conferred upon Hanuman, the son of Vayu, the wind god, and Anjana. When Hanuman was afflicted after being struck by Indra's vajra (thunderbolt), Vayu, grief-stricken, carried the child to Brahma, the creator. Brahma, moved by Vayu’s plight, revived Hanuman, who was instantly restored to life, like parched crops brought back to vitality with water. Witnessing this, Vayu rejoiced, and the gods sought to appease Vayu’s anguish by blessing Hanuman with numerous divine boons. Indra, filled with affection, declared that his vajra would never harm Hanuman again and named him “Hanumat,” owing to his shattered jaw. Surya, the sun god, granted Hanuman eloquence and mastery of sacred texts, while Varuna ensured he would not die from water or the noose of his power. Yama, the god of death, decreed that Hanuman would never be afflicted by disease or suffer distress, particularly in battles. Similarly, Vishvakarma, the celestial artisan, and Shiva bestowed boons that no weapons fashioned by them or anyone else would bring him death. These divine gifts made Hanuman invincible and filled him with immense strength, delighting his father, Vayu.
As a child, Hanuman, imbued with power and vitality, began to cause mischief in the hermitages of the rishis. He disturbed their sacrifices by destroying their tools and sacred items, yet the rishis refrained from punishing him because of Brahma's blessings, which made him impervious to their divine staff (Brahmadanda). However, growing weary of his relentless disruptions, the rishis placed a mild curse upon Hanuman, causing him to forget his own strength until a time when it would serve a greater purpose. Despite his parents’ efforts to restrain him, Hanuman roamed freely, ignorant of his limitless powers.
The narrative transitions to Riksharaja, the king of the apes and father of Vali and Sugriva, who ruled the kingdom of the apes until his demise. Following his death, Vali was consecrated as king, and Sugriva served under him. During the enmity that arose between the brothers, Hanuman, due to the lingering effects of the curse, remained unaware of his strength. Yet, it is revealed that no one could rival Hanuman in valor, intellect, bravery, patience, and conduct. His abilities were unmatched, likened to the destructive power of fire and Death itself.
In his quest for knowledge, Hanuman displayed immense dedication by learning grammar and sacred texts directly from Surya, following the sun god tirelessly from Mount Udaya to Mount Asta. This pursuit emphasized Hanuman’s insatiable thirst for wisdom and his capacity for endurance. The gods, recognizing the necessity of Hanuman’s prowess, created other mighty vanaras—Sugriva, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila, Tara, Anala, and Rambha—specifically to aid Rama in his quest against Ravana. The sage narrating this tale concludes by affirming Hanuman’s unmatched capabilities and his indispensable role in serving Rama. Having recounted Hanuman’s divine childhood, his boons, and his eventual purpose, the rishis took their leave, returning to their respective abodes.
In chapter 37, homage is paid to Shri Rama by the assembled kings.
Rama, after achieving victory and reuniting with Sita, prepared to bid farewell to his allies and friends. Among them was Pratardana, the fearless king of Kashi, who had demonstrated immense affection and friendship. Rama embraced Pratardana warmly and expressed his gratitude for the king’s efforts alongside Bharata in the battle against Ravana. He then encouraged Pratardana to return to the beautiful city of Varanasi in Kashi, a place protected by the king’s strength and adorned with excellent walls and gates.
Rama, the righteous descendant of the Kakutstha dynasty, rose from his seat and embraced Pratardana close to his heart, displaying deep affection. He then turned to the other assembled kings, greeting and addressing them with words full of warmth and sweetness. Rama praised their unwavering affection, devotion to dharma, and self-restraint. He acknowledged their valor and credited their combined energy and efforts for the defeat of Ravana, the wicked lord of the rakshasas. Rama humbly described himself as merely an instrument in the battle, while it was the kings’ strength and courage that had led to Ravana’s demise, along with the destruction of his sons, companions, and relatives.
Rama further recounted that upon hearing of Sita’s abduction, Bharata had taken the initiative to summon the great kings to his aid. The kings, moved by the cause, had gathered and fought valiantly for a long time. Acknowledging the passage of time and sensing their readiness to return, Rama expressed his approval for their departure. He praised their loyalty and courage, and his words resonated with genuine respect and gratitude.
The assembled kings were overjoyed at Rama’s words and responded with equal warmth. They congratulated Rama on his victory, the recovery of Sita, and the defeat of his enemies. For the kings, these events were the fulfillment of their greatest desire—to see Rama victorious and Ravana vanquished. They humbly credited Rama’s generosity for his kind words and acknowledged his worthiness as a leader. In turn, they sought his leave to depart, assuring him that he would always remain in their hearts. They pledged their enduring affection and loyalty to Rama, the noble and virtuous king.
Thus, Rama’s allies, content with their role in his triumph and deeply honored by his praises, prepared to return to their respective kingdoms. The bond of friendship, respect united them as they took leave of the victorious Raghava, who stood as a beacon of dharma and righteousness.
This concludes chapters 35, 36 and 37 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen the subject of Hanuman coming to the forefront for a post-war study and understanding by Rama. When there is an entire kanda or book written on the great exploits of Hanuman through Sundara Kanda or 5th book in Ramayana, there is little doubt that Rama is astonished, amazed and admires the strength of Hanuman. With these at the back of the mind, Rama questions the sages whether Hanuman is greater than Vali and Ravana and did he forget his true potential till the time comes. The sages give a detailed account of Hanuman’s childhood and his background, while also recounting the many boons he has received – the depth of which is only seen in the war with Ravana. The assembled kings then receive praise from Rama and pay homage to Rama. We can look at the subsequent chapters as the assembly after the great war continues the dialogue and pay homage to Rama.
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