---
title: "Hanumanji: Shri Ram's Devotee in the Ramcharitmanas"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/characters/hanuman"
lang: "en"
---

# Hanumanji: Shri Ram's Devotee in the Ramcharitmanas

Hanumanji is the son of the wind-god and the devoted servant and messenger of Shri Ram in Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. He brings Shri Ram and Sugriv together, crosses the sea to find Mata Sita and serves in the war against Ravan. His strength and intelligence serve one purpose: carrying out Shri Ram's work with devotion.

## Devotion begins with the wish to serve

Hanumanji's greatness begins with how he understands his relationship with Shri Ram. In Kishkindha Kand, doha 3, Shri Ram teaches that exclusive devotion rests on the conviction that we are His servants and that all creation belongs to Him. Hanumanji's actions give this teaching a visible form.

In Kishkindha Kand, doha 4, he explains the circumstances of Shri Ram and Sugriv to one another and establishes their alliance with fire as witness. He uses his intelligence to bring them together. Here, *seva* means service. It gives strength and intelligence their direction. We begin to follow Hanumanji when we use our abilities to fulfil the responsibility before us.

## Courage keeps Shri Ram in the heart

Hanumanji enters Lanka with a task to accomplish and Shri Ram in his heart. In Sunderkand, doha 5 and its accompanying chaupais, he assumes a minute form, remembers the Lord and searches the city. His courage includes careful attention. He looks for Mata Sita and continues when he does not find her in Ravan's palace.

In Sunderkand, doha 6 and its accompanying chaupais, he hears Vibhishan repeat Shri Ram's name and resolves to meet him. The place is full of demons, yet Hanumanji recognises devotion there. In Sunderkand, doha 7, remembering the Lord's grace brings tears to his eyes. His strength leaves room for tenderness and reverence.

## A messenger attends to another's sorrow

Finding Mata Sita calls for thoughtfulness as well as courage. In Sunderkand, doha 12, Hanumanji carefully drops Shri Ram's ring before her. She takes it up with joy. In Sunderkand, doha 14, he asks her to steady herself and hear Shri Ram's message, but his own voice falters with emotion.

Hanumanji attends to the sorrow of the person he has come to serve. The ring and the message connect Mata Sita with Shri Ram during their separation. For us, this gives service a practical measure. Before speaking, we should consider what the other person needs to hear and how to convey it with care. Compassion belongs within the work itself.

## Strength remains joined to humility

In Sunderkand, doha 28 and its accompanying chaupais, Hanumanji returns across the sea, bringing joy to the waiting monkeys. In Sunderkand, doha 32 and its accompanying chaupais, Shri Ram hears of Mata Sita's suffering and declares that He cannot repay Hanumanji's service. Hanumanji places remembrance and worship of the Lord above every other concern.

His service continues through the war. In Lanka Kand, doha 95, he invokes Shri Ram and fights Ravan. In Lanka Kand, doha 107 and its accompanying chaupais, the Lord sends him to announce the victory to Mata Sita. He bows before her from a respectful distance. Follow this example by joining determination in the task with humility towards those we serve.

## Questions

### What does Hanumanji teach us about devotion?

Hanumanji teaches us to place our abilities in Shri Ram's service. In Kishkindha Kand, doha 3, Shri Ram connects exclusive devotion with knowing ourselves as His servants and seeing creation as His manifestation. Hanumanji acts from this understanding. His courage, intelligence and tenderness all serve the work entrusted to him.

### How does Hanumanji help Mata Sita?

Hanumanji finds Mata Sita in Lanka and brings her Shri Ram's ring and message. Sunderkand, dohas 12 and 14, show her joy on receiving the ring and his emotion as he prepares to speak. After Ravan's defeat, Shri Ram sends him to tell her of the victory in Lanka Kand, doha 107.

### Why do people read Sunderkand when life is difficult?

Sunderkand shows Hanumanji carrying out Shri Ram's work amid danger, searching for Mata Sita and returning with her message. It is customarily recited in times of difficulty and on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the days associated with Hanumanji. Sunderkand, doha 5 and its accompanying chaupais, direct our attention to remembering Shri Ram while attending to the task before us.