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Vanara

( Legendary Creatures In Hindu Mythology )

Etymology
Identification
In the ''Ramayana''
Other texts
Shapeshifting
Notable Vanaras
References
External links

C O N T E N T S

Ramayana Son Vanara Vanaras

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In Hinduism, Vanara ()

Nanditha Krishna (2014). 9788184751826, Penguin UK. . ISBN 9788184751826

are either monkeys, apes, or a race of forest-dwelling people.

In the epic the Ramayana, the Vanaras help Rama defeat Ravana. They are generally depicted as humanoid apes, or human-like beings.

Etymology

There are three main theories about the etymology of the word "Vanara":

Aiyanar suggests that vanara means "monkey" derived from the word vana ("forest"), Literally meaning "belonging to the forest"
Aiyangar Narayan9788120601406, Asian Educational Services. . ISBN 9788120601406
Monier-Williams says it is probably derived from vanar (lit. "wandering in the forest") and means "forest-animal" or monkey.
Devdutt Pattanaik suggests that it derives from the words vana ("forest"), and nara ("man"), thus meaning "forest man" and suggests that they may not be monkeys, which is the general meaning.
It may be derived from the words vav and nara, meaning "is it a man?" (meaning "monkey")
Shyam Banerji (2003). 9788188237029, I.K. International. . ISBN 9788188237029
or "perhaps he is man".

Identification

Although the word Vanara has come to mean "monkey" over the years and the Vanaras are depicted as monkeys in the popular art, their exact identity is not clear.

Kirsti Evans (1997). 9789004105751, BRILL. . ISBN 9789004105751

According to the Ramayana, Vanaras were shapeshifters. In the Vanara form, they had beards with extended sideburns, narrowly shaved chin gap, and no moustache. They had a tail and razor-sharp claws. Their skin and skeleton were inforced with an indestructible Vajra, which no earthly element could penetrate. Unlike other exotic creatures such as the , the Vanaras do not have a precursor in the Vedic literature.

Vanamali (2010). 9781594779145, Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. . ISBN 9781594779145

The Ramayana presents them as humans with reference to their speech, clothing, habitations, funerals, weddings, consecrations etc. It also describes their monkey-like characteristics such as their leaping, hair, fur and a tail.

Catherine Ludvik (1994). 9788120811225, Motilal Banarsidass. . ISBN 9788120811225

Aiyanagar suggests that though the poet of the Ramayana may have known that vanaras were actually forest-dwelling people, he may portrayed them as real monkeys with supernatural powers and many of them as s (portions) of the gods to make the epic more "fantastic".

According to one theory, the Vanaras are semi-divine creatures. This is based on their supernatural abilities, as well as descriptions of Brahma commanding other deities to either bear Vanara offspring or incarnate as Vanaras to help Rama in his mission. The Jain re-tellings of Ramayana describe them as a clan of the supernatural beings called the ; the flag of this clan bears monkeys as emblems.

Paula Richman (1991). 9780520075894, University of California Press. . ISBN 9780520075894

Kodaganallur Ramaswami Srinivasa Iyengar (2025). 9788126018093, Sahitya Akademi. . ISBN 9788126018093

Valmiki (1996). 9780691066622, Princeton University Press. . ISBN 9780691066622

Philip Lutgendorf (2006). 9780198042204, Oxford University Press. . ISBN 9780198042204

Devdutt Pattanaik (2003). 9781594775581, Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. . ISBN 9781594775581

G. Ramdas, based on Ravana's reference to the Vanaras' tail as an ornament, infers that the "tail" was actually an appendage in the dress worn by the men of the Sora people tribe. (The female Vanaras are not described as having a tail.

(1995). 9788185880778, M.D. Publications. . ISBN 9788185880778

) According to this theory, the non-human characteristics of the Vanaras may be considered artistic license. In Sri Lanka, the word "Vanara" has been used to describe the mentioned in the Vedda people legends.

C. G. Uragoda (2025). 9789559684305, Vishva Lekha Publishers. . ISBN 9789559684305

In the Ramayana

Vanaras are created by Brahma to help Rama in battle against Ravana. They are powerful and have many godly traits. Taking Brahma's orders, the gods began to parent sons in the zion of Kishkindha (identified with parts of present-day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra). Rama first met them in Dandaka Forest, during his search for Sita. An army of Vanaras helped Rama in his search for Sita, and also in battle against Ravana, Sita's abductor. Nala and Nila built a bridge over the ocean so that Rama and the army could cross to Lanka. As described in the epic, the characteristics of the Vanara include being amusing, childish, mildly irritating, badgering, hyperactive, adventurous, bluntly honest, loyal, courageous, and kind.

Other texts

The Vanaras also appear in other texts, including Mahabharata. The epic Mahabharata describes them as forest-dwelling, and mentions their being encountered by Sahadeva, the youngest Pandava.

Shapeshifting

In the Ramayana, the Vanara Hanuman changes shape several times. For example, while he searches for the kidnapped Sita in Ravana's palaces on Lanka, he contracts himself to the size of a cat, so that he will not be detected by the enemy. Later on, he takes on the size of a mountain, blazing with radiance, to show his true power to Sita.Goldman, Robert P. (Introduction, translation and annotation) (1996). Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume V: Sundarakanda. Princeton University Press, New Jersey. 0691066620. pp. 45–47.

Notable Vanaras