| “ | O Hanuman! Victory to you! You are the ocean of knowledge. O Kapeeshwar! Victory to you! Your fame is evident in all three regions of the universe.
— The Hanuman Chalisa by Tulsidas
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Hanuman is a simian Hindu deity and a significant figure in many Hindu epics, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, and occasionally a figure in Buddhism and Jainism as well. His utter devotion to his lord Rama made him one of the most popular Hindu gods, symbolising the human virtues of loyalty, faith, and self-control.
Hanuman was one of the vanara, a species of monkey-like people that inhabited the forests of India. He was the son of the vanara chief Kesari and his wife Anjana, but he is often called the son of the wind god Vayu, due to Vayu's role in his birth.
Hanuman was a mischievous child, and he enjoyed using his many magical powers to play pranks on unsuspecting passersby. One day, a meditating sage become the victim of Hanuman's tricks, and the furious sage cursed Hanuman to forget his powers.
After an unknown amount of time, Hanuman found himself back among the tribes of his people. The hero Rama was meeting with the tribes at the time, seeking aid for his campaign against the demon Ravana, who had kidnapped Rama's wife. Hanuman was chosen to go with Rama, and one of Rama's companions was able to lift the curse and restore Hanuman's powers. Overwhelmed by gratitude, Hanuman become Rama's most loyal follower.
Hanuman used his newly restored powers in the war against Ravana, destroying Ravana's base in Sri Lanka and saving the life of Rama's brother from poison. When Rama finally overcame Ravana, he granted Hanuman immortality. Hanuman wished only to serve Rama forever, but Rama insisted. Hanuman spends the rest of eternity wandering the world, ensuring that the story of Rama is never forgotten.
Hanuman's fame has spread far beyond his native Indian subcontinent, appearing in many different forms in other East Asian traditions. He is often considered to be the inspiration for the Chinese novel Journey to the West, and its protagonist Sun Wukong.
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