Five Amazing Things Hanuman Is Able To Do As A Vanara

“An intelligent person has respect for the body which brings them attachment to Shri Rama. That is why Hanuman gave up his form of Rudra in order to be a Vanara.” (Dohavali, 142)

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जेहि सरीर रति राम सों सोइ आदरहिं सुजान।
रुद्रदेह तजि नेहबस बानर भे हनुमान ॥

jēhi sarīra rati rāma sōṁ sō’i ādarahiṁ sujāna.
rudradēha taji nēhabasa bānara bhē hanumāna..

Stealing. Causing havoc. Not respecting personal property. No embarrassment or shame in giving trouble to others. Throwing feces as a game. All-around disruptive behavior. Who would actually want to become a monkey, if they had the choice?

From the periphery, when having a scant understanding of a culture known only through the term “Hinduism”, a person might be familiar with the concept of reincarnation. This would be based on karma, which is seen as a classification of deeds, good or bad.

If you are good, you get rewarded. If you are bad, you get punished. That punishment might mean demotion to a lower species, such as a monkey. Goswami Tulsidas explains that the wise people, those who are clever, sujana, prefer the rupa that favors rati, or attachment, to the Supreme Lord, Shri Rama.

The example provided is Shri Hanuman. Rather than stay as Rudra, Hanuman roams the earth as a Vanara. This is something like a monkey, but we see that due to the strength in devotion to Rama there is no limitation on what can be accomplished.

1. Compose Sanskrit poetry

We see this with gifted musicians. Provide them the instrument of choice and the ideas flow naturally. They can create ideas for complete songs in the matter of a few hours. They have the ability inside of them. Under the proper conditions, they are not limited in the output.

Shri Hanuman can compose amazing Sanskrit poetry, extemporaneously. He can compose and speak at the same time. His elocution is flawless. The cause is both the devotion and the subject matter. Hanuman impresses Shri Rama in this area.

नानृग्वेदविनीतस्य नायजुर्वेद्धारिणः।
नासामवेदविदुषश्शक्यमेवं विभाषितुम्

nānṛgvedavinītasya nāyajurveddhāriṇaḥ।
nāsāmavedaviduṣaśśakyamevaṃ vibhāṣitum

“One cannot speak this way without having been well-trained in the Rig Veda, memorized the Yajur Veda, and thoroughly understood the Sama Veda.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana about Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.28)

2. Work with others

A monkey causes trouble, but if there is a nefarious scheme, they can maybe work together. Hanuman is able to join the other Vanaras in tandem, to search the earth for Rama’s missing wife, Sita Devi. Though Hanuman is gifted, his abilities do not suppress the efforts of others. He does not get in the way. He is not envious.

3. Work all alone

When the need arises, Hanuman can go it alone. He can scour through a hostile territory, where going undetected is everything. Hanuman has no recourse in this situation. He cannot call for backup. He must succeed. Everyone is counting on him.

4. Absorb blows from the enemy

In the sport of ice hockey, the most feared fighters are the ones who can take a punch. If the other side lands a strike or two, these fighters don’t drop to the ice. They remain standing, undaunted. They can endure the struggle.

Shri Hanuman absorbs the blows from the Rakshasas of Lanka. Being all by himself, Hanuman is not afraid of confrontation. He will do whatever it takes to strike fear into the heart of the enemy, making them aware that their horrible deeds have not gone unnoticed. Punishment is set to arrive.

5. Stay steady in devotion

The demotion in species is a punishment because of the overall conditions relating to the consciousness. The more you are focused on satisfying the needs of the senses, the less steady you will be. Without peace of mind, there is no question of happiness.

नास्ति बुद्धिर् अयुक्तस्य
न चायुक्तस्य भावना
न चाभावयतः शान्तिर्
अशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम्

nāsti buddhir ayuktasya
na cāyuktasya bhāvanā
na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir
aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham

“One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.66)

Despite taking the Vanara form, Hanuman remains steady in his devotion to Sita and Rama. Time does not carry a negative influence for him. The external conditions do not make an impact, either. Whether he is with the Vanaras in Kishkindha, flying over the ocean to reach Lanka, battling Rakshasas, or accepting a valuable jewel as a gift from the goddess of fortune, Hanuman stays fixed in consciousness on that which matters most.

In Closing:

Assembled army not to impede,
Or by himself to proceed.

Into unknown territory goes,
Absorbing enemy blows.

All while as Vanara profound,
Pleasure in devotion found.

Hanuman fixed in that way,
With Sita and Rama to stay.