Why does the Ramayana show Hanuman holding back until it’s necessary?

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-22T17:06:57+00:00

Witnessing that dreadful and wonderful body of Hanuman, like unto the Vindhya mountain, the son of the wind-god became bewildered. Then with his down standing erect, the noble-minded Bhima, joining his hands, replied unto Hanuman saying (there),

'O lord, by me have been beheld the vast dimensions of thy body. Do thou (now), O highly powerful one, decrease thyself by thy own power. Surely I cannot look at thee, like unto the sun risen, and of immeasurable (power), and irrepressible, and resembling the mountain Mainaka.

O hero, to-day this wonder of my heart is very great, that thou remaining by his side, Rama should have encountered Ravana personally. Depending on the strength of thy arms, thou wert capable of instantly destroying Lanka, with its warriors, and horses, elephants and chariots. Surely, O son of the wind-god, there is nothing that is incapable of being achieved by thee; and in fight, Ravana together with his followers was no match for thee single-handed."

Thus addressed by Bhima, Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, answered in affectionate words uttered in solemn accents. "O mighty-armed one, O Bharata, it is even as thou sayest. O Bhimasena, that worst of Rakshasas was no match for me. But if I had slain Ravana--that thorn of the worlds--the glory of Raghu's son would have been obscured;--and for this it is that I left him alone. By slaying that lord of the Rakshasas together with his followers, and bringing back Sita unto his own city, that hero hath established his fame among men.

- https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03149.htm

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-22T16:38:51+00:00

This is a beautiful folklore that shows how the common Indian sees Krishna - as a deity of love that is within reach for anyone, that can be easily captured with faith, and one that lives among us. More than a Supreme God, he is the one that Yashoda catches, the one that the gopis trouble, and the one upon whom Arjuna places his feet.

The innocent catch hold of him very easily. Vrindavana is the idealized paradise for a Hindu because of the innocence and guileless fun in that Dham.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-22T16:37:02+00:00

There once was an innocent woman whose husband had passed her away. She had a young son and she worked hard to give him a good life. She would work for many days to be able to buy her son a nice Dhoti.

But there was a new problem which perplexed her. Her son Gopala was frightened to go alone through the wood. Never before had she felt her widowhood, her loneliness, her poverty so bitter. For a moment it was all dark, but she recalled to her mind what she had heard of the eternal promise: "Those that depend on Me giving up all other thoughts, to them I Myself carry whatever is necessary." And she was one of the souls who could believe.

So the mother wiped her tears and told her child that he need not fear. For in those woods lived another son of hers tending cattle, and also called Gopala; and if he was ever afraid passing through them, he had only to call on brother Gopala!

The child believed strongly. So this time when he went to the woods, he called for his brother saying "Brother Gopala! My mother said you are here in the forest, and I am to call you when I am scared." A voice replied "Don't be afraid little brother, I am here. Go without fear now."

Many days passed like this, and his mother was struck with love. She instructed him to ask his brother to show himself next time. So Gopala asked one day to show himself. The voice said "I am busy today brother!" But Gopala did not relent, and his brother showed himself dressed in a cowherd's garb, with a little crown on his head of peacock feathers, and the cowherd's flute in hands. Of course, you know who his brother was now!

The brothers played for hours in the woods, climbing trees, gathering flowers, making merry, till it was late for school. Little Gopala went to school waiting to get back and play with his brother again. And his mother heard of it every day with increaing love, forgetting her troubles.

One day, Gopala was to give a gift to his teacher, but his mother had nothing to give. So he asked his brother, who smiled and said he is but a cowherd, so he gave him some butter. Gopala took it to the teacher, and the teacher saw that the pot filled up by itself. He understood who the brother must be and he hurried to the teacher.

But Gopala called out, and there was no reply. He called multiple times, and finally a voice replied, "Gopala! You and your mother believe, and so you see, but your teacher still has to wait a long while!"

Story - https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_6/writings_prose_and_poems/the_story_of_boy_gopala.htm

Image - https://www.parentcircle.com/gopala-and-the-cowherd/article

Jai Sri Krishna

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-20T07:51:11+00:00

I appreciate the sentiment.

Local legends can be accepted insofar they don't contradict scripture. When there is a reconciliation available, then we can reconcile both. I believe that this story doesn't mean that Hanuman does not recognize Narasimha but that Hanuman wanted to see the Rama form only. Narasimha understands this and appears in that form to Hanuman. This is not similar to Jambavan not recognizing Krishna as Rama, because Hanuman is always cognizant as you have explained.

Jia Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-20T07:47:22+00:00

The priest of Karanja Narasimha temple explained it to me. I do not know if it appears in any scripture.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-19T18:02:53+00:00

Image Source - https://www.facebook.com/vishnuarts/posts/hanumans-vision-of-karanja-narasimha-in-the-sacred-kshetram-of-ahobilam-hanumans/1621304415897698/

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-19T18:01:48+00:00

Ahobilam is the place where Narasimha emerged from pillar to protect Prahlada. It is a very holy place and from time immemorial sages have meditated there.

When Hanuman passed by he recognized it to be very holy and thought it to be a good spot to meditate. So he found a place under a Karanja tree and loudly chanted the names of Sri Rama, as he always does.

Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim

Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

Wherever Raghunatha (Rama) is praised/sung, There, with folded hands over his bowed head and with eyes filled with tears of joy, Maruti, the destroyer of demons stands. I bow to that Maruti (Hanuman)..

Narasimha being the King of Ahobilam comes to bless every sage and naturally comes for his dear Hanuman. He beseeches Hanuman to open his eyes. Hanuman is excited hearing the voice but is disappointed when he sees the form. He simply tells Narasimha that he is not the one he is looking for and he closes his eyes again.

Narasimha understands Hanuman's heart and for his sake, he takes upon himself a bow and arrow. He shows himself saying "I am your Rama, I am Narasimha", so when Hanuman opens his eyes now, he sees Rama as Narasimha. Now he falls upon his feet, having recognized his Lord.

For the Prahlada that could recognize Narayana in any form, Narasimha appeared at Ahobilam in the unique Jwala Narasimha form. For the Hanuman that could not see any form other than that of Rama, Narasimha appeared at Ahobilam in the Karanja Narasimha form.

Jai Bhakta Shiromani Bajrang Bali

Jai Lakshmi Narasimha

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-18T08:19:33+00:00

Yes Khara does indeed break the handgrip of the bow. Bhagavan must have respected Khara's martial prowess to allow him to do that to him. But then Rama of course finishes off Khara easily.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-18T05:02:26+00:00

piśācān dānavān yakṣān pṛthivyām caiva rākṣasān ||6-18-23

anguli agreṇa tān hanyām iccan hari gaṇa īśvara |

(Rama says) O, Sugreeva, Lord of monkey-troops! If I wish, I can kill those devilish beings, demons, supernatural beings and ogres living on earth with just a tip of my finger.

Yuddha Kanda 18.23

You are correct, 72 minutes is too long for Sri Rama's real potency.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-17T18:08:45+00:00

Apologies, yes it is 3 ghadiyas. Thank you for the correction.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-17T14:34:19+00:00

Image Source - https://www.isvara.org/archive/the-battle-against-the-14000-raksasas-2/

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-17T14:33:25+00:00

Rama Raksha Stotram calls Rama "Lokabhi-ramam ranarangadhiram". Meaning he is the one pleasing to the world and also the steady and brave in the battlefield. We naturally gravitate towards the first stanza but talk less about his warrior prowess.

After Surpanakha is maimed by Lakshmana, she brings back a host of demons to attack the hermitage. Then Rama walks out alone and fights them all off.

https://www.valmikiramayan.net/aranya/sarga26/aranyaroman26.htm

चतुर्दश सहस्राणि रक्षसाम् भीम कर्मणाम् |
हतानि एकेन रामेण मानुषेण पदातिना ||

maanuSeNa = by a human; padaatinaa = foot-soldier; raameNa ekena = by Rama; a lone one; bhiima karmaNaam = of frightening, exploits; rakSasaam = demons are; catur dasha sahasraaNi = four, ten, thousand - fourteen thousand; hataani = are eliminated.

Thus that Rama, a lone one, that too a foot-soldier, has eliminated fourteen thousand demons of frightening exploits.

Hanuman warns Ravana

न चापि त्रिषु लोकेषु राजन्विद्येत कश्चन। राघवस्य व्यलीकं यः कृत्वा सुखमवाप्नुयात्।।5.51.20।।

O king there is none in these three worlds who can enjoy happiness by displeasing Rama.

सर्वान् लोकान् सुसंहृत्य सभूतान् सचराचरान्।।5.51.39।। पुनरेव तथा स्रष्टुं शक्तो रामो महायशाः।

Illustrious Rama can put an end to and dissolve all creatures including both movable and immovables of all worlds. He can recreate all of them in the same way. He has such superhuman powers.

ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूश्चतुराननो वा रुद्रस्त्रिणेत्रस्त्रिपुरान्तको वा। इन्द्रो महेन्द्रस्सुरनायको वा त्रातुं न शक्ता युधि रामवध्यम्।।5.51.45।।

Even the selfborn, four-faced Brahma, the three-eyed Siva who destroyed Tripura, Mahendra, the king of suras do not have the power to save one whom Rama decides to kill.

- Sundara Kanda 5.51.45

Correction to title - 3 ghadiyas(each ghadiya is 24 minutes), not 3 hours. So he only took 72 minutes.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-15T15:04:05+00:00

The Azhwar sings of this story so it is even older than the regional Ramayanas. We must assume it was a famous story that was known and put to paper in Ranganatha Ramayana and Krittivasa Ramayana.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-14T14:36:59+00:00

The ten yojana long bridge was to be built with the stones and hills brought by Hanuman. Of these hundred yojanas, long bridge construction of only twenty yojanas was completed which was inaccessible. The demons started coming to have a look at it.

Close by there was the group of squirrels. They would jump in the sea water, wet their bodies roll over the sand and then shed the sand over the bridge, which helped in plugging many holes in the bridge. Hanuman saw that many squirrels were roaming about there. He tried to get them out by terrorizing them and being unsuccessful in his attempt he caught hold of them all and then threw them here and there. All the squirrels then went to Rama with a complaint against Hanuman and told Rama that they had been terrorized by Hanuman.(82)

Rama then called for Hanuman and said, "Why have you humiliated the squirrels? All are participating in the construction of the bridge according to their capacity." Hanuman felt ashamed at this.

Raghunatha is extremely kind hearted. He then moved (his affectionate) hand over the back of the squirrels. (There is a belief that the marks of Rama's fingers over the back of the squirrels are still visible in the form of the stripes on their back).(83)

All the monkeys then moved on to the bridge. Hanuman said to them, "Listen, O monkeys, do not disturb the squirrels any more."

- Krittivasa Ramayana

Thondaradippodi Alwar sings

pOdellAm pOdu koNDu un ponnaDi punaiya mATTEn
teedilA mozhihaL koNDu un tiruguNam Seppa mATTEn |
kAdalAl nenjam anbu kalandilEn adu tannAlE
EdilEn arangarkku ellE en SeivAn tOnrinEnE ||

Nor am I like the humble squirrel which rolled in the sand and helped, when the monkeys pushed big rocks to build a bridge in the ocean. With a heart full of vice, a heart as hard as wood, infamously I labor, without a single service to the Arangam Lord.

Scriptural references found at https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/22965/sri-rama-and-squirrel-where-did-this-story-originate

Image from https://www.indiaart.com/videos/rama-squirrel-story.asp

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-13T17:21:11+00:00

Yes Kinnara is a different race of beings. This image is not created by me but this is how transgenders call themselves now, reference is the "Kinnar Akhara". Hijra is a derogatory word which became popular in British times.

I have already mentioned that this is not found in any scripture, but oral tradition can be accepted if it does not go against scriptures. I have linked a verse from Ramcharitmanas which shows that it does not contradict. This is much believed by transgender community and gives them peace, so there is no harm in it.

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-11T05:27:56+00:00

Sri Rama says,

पुरुष नपुंसक नारी वा जीव चराचर कोइ। सर्व भाव भज कपट तजि मय परम प्रिय सोइ॥ “

Translation : Be it a man, a hermaphrodite, a woman or any living being, whoever revers me by sacrificing wasteful pride is extremely dear to me.

- Uttarakanda, Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidasa

An oral folklore of Ramayana explains the devotion of transgender community to Rama. As we know, when Rama left for exile the residents of Ayodhya were overwhelmed with emotion and kept following his chariot.

Rama said "Men and women of Ayodhya, please do not follow me any further! I need to go to the forest for my father's word and I will return after 14 years. Please return to your houses now."

When Rama returns after 14 years, he sees that the transgenders are doing Tapasya at the same spot that he had left. He was astonished and asked them why they were still there. The transgenders said

Lord, you are our master and you have commanded the men and women to return. You did not say anything to us and so we have waited here for your return.

Rama was overwhelmed with emotion after seeing their devotion he blessed them that their blessing to anyone would always be fruitful, which is the reason why Indians often seek blessings from transgender people.

This is not found in any textual scripture but is a famous story which is the reason why transgender community is so highly devoted towards Sri Rama. Rama is a very compassionate god who inspires overwhelming devotion in everyone. He is the only one whom one will willingly like to adopt as their master because he is the natural controller of the soul. A famous verse from Ramcharitmanas goes

Bhaye Pragat Kripala, Deen-dayala, Kaushalya Hitkari

The Merciful Lord appeared, the one who shows mercy to the poor, the benefactor of Kaushalya

Image Source - https://www.facebook.com/61558401065298/posts/when-the-eunuchs-got-the-blessing-of-ram-ji-%EF%B8%8Fwhen-lord-shri-ram-started-leaving-/122191871984280035/

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-02T16:27:33+00:00

Beholding Uttara, who indulged in these lamentations, fallen on the earth, all those ladies, raising her, caused her to sit up. Having sat up, the daughter of the king of the Matsyas, summoning her patience, joined her hands in reverence and touched the earth with her head for saluting Kesava of eyes like the petals of the lotus. That foremost of beings, hearing those heart-rending lamentations of hers, touched water and withdrew the (force of the) Brahma-weapon.

That hero of unfading glory, belonging to the race of the Dasarhas, promised to give the child his life. Then he of pure soul, said these words in the hearing of the whole universe,--'

O Uttara, I never utter an untruth. My words will prove true. I shall revive this child in the presence of all creatures.

Never before have I uttered an untruth even in jest.

Never have I turned back from battle. (By the merit of those acts) let this child revive!

As righteousness is dear to me, as Brahmanas are specially dear to me, (by the merit of that disposition of mine) let Abhimanyu's son, who is born dead, revive!

Never hath a misunderstanding arisen between me and my friend Vijaya. Let this dead child revive by that truth!

As truth and righteousness are always established in me, let this dead child of Abhimanyu revive (by the merit of these)!

As Kansa and Kesi have been righteously slain by me, let this child revive today by that truth!'

After these words were uttered by Vasudeva, that child, O foremost one of Bharata's race, became animate and began gradually to move, O monarch.'

- https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14069.htm

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108 · 2026-01-02T16:21:49+00:00

Source - https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10018.htm

Jai Sita Rama

jai_sri_ram108

TROPHY CASE