Hanuman (Sanskrit: हनुमान्, IAST: Hanumān), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism revered as a divine vanara and a devoted companion of Rama. He is a central figure in the Ramayana, celebrated for his unwavering devotion to Rama, and is regarded as a chiranjivi (immortal). According to tradition, he is the spiritual offspring of Vayu, the wind-god, and is said to derive many of his abilities from this lineage.
| Name | Hanuman |
|---|---|
| Other names | Maruti, Bajrangabali, Anjaneya |
| Tradition | Hinduism |
| Form | Divine vanara |
| Father (traditional) | Vayu, the wind-god |
| Associated deity | Rama |
| Status | Chiranjivi (immortal) |
| Principal text | Ramayana |
| Other texts | Mahabharata, various Puranas |
Hanuman's place within Hindu traditions varies by school. In the Shaiva tradition, he is regarded as an incarnation of Shiva. In most Vaishnava traditions, he is considered the son and incarnation of Vayu. The Vaishnava theologian Madhvacharya proposed that Vayu assists Vishnu in his earthly incarnations, a role parallel to Hanuman's service to Rama.
Hanuman is traditionally celebrated as a lifelong celibate, embodying the virtue of chastity. He is also revered as an exemplar of self-control, faith, and steadfast commitment to a cause.
Tales of Hanuman appear in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and various Puranas. While these texts narrate his exploits, devotional practices specifically centred on Hanuman were not prominent in early scriptural references or in early archaeological evidence.
The theological significance of Hanuman and the growth of an organised devotional following emerged roughly a millennium after the composition of the Ramayana, during the second millennium CE. During the medieval Bhakti movement, figures such as Samarth Ramdas portrayed Hanuman as an emblem of nationalism and resistance against oppression. In more recent times, the veneration of Hanuman through iconography and temple worship has significantly increased.
Hanuman is seen as embodying a fusion of "strength, heroic initiative, and assertive excellence" with "loving, emotional devotion" to Rama, representing both Shakti (power) and Bhakti (devotion). Later literature has occasionally depicted him as a patron deity of martial arts, meditation, and scholarly pursuits. His physical attributes as a vanara are also a focus of worship.