Hanumán

Family: Vánars · Role: Vánar chief · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

Nárad’s summary tells of Ráma winning Hanumán’s friendship at Pampá and of Hanumán finding Sítá in Lanká, giving her Ráma’s ring, and burning the town. Book I, Canto 16 names Váyu as Hanumán’s father. In Book IV, Sugríva sends him as an envoy to question Ráma and seek a friendly league; Hanumán later counsels Sugríva to honor his promise and help Ráma search for Sítá, then summons the Vánar legions. At the search’s departure, Ráma gives him a ring for Sítá.

In Book IV, Canto 66, the account tells how Anjaná gave birth to Hanumán, how Indra’s bolt shattered his cheek, and how Brahmá and Indra granted protections. Hanumán grows to gigantic size and pledges to find Sítá and bring down Lanká’s walls. In Book V, he crosses the ocean, enters Lanká, finds Sítá, and carries Ráma’s message to her; she gives him a gem and asks him to urge Ráma to rescue her. Hanumán destroys the grove, fights the city’s defenders, and is bound by Indrajít’s magic shaft. He escapes, burns Lanká while sparing Vibhishaṇ’s house, then returns to the Vánar host and gives Ráma Sítá’s gem and news of her captivity.

In Book VI, Hanumán fights the Rákshases, carries wounded Lakshmaṇ to Ráma, and bears Ráma into battle. When Jámbaván sends him for healing herbs, Hanumán brings them back and the wounded and dying Vánars recover. Later, Ráma sends him ahead to Ayodhyá with news of his return; Hanumán delivers it to Guha and Bharat. At the consecration, Sítá gives Hanumán her pearl chain with Ráma’s approval.