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Hanuman

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The devoted monkey god and heroic ally of Rama in the Hindu epic "Ramayana," symbolizing loyalty, strength, and devotion.

Detailed Definition
Hanuman, embodiment of strength, loyalty, and devotion, leapt across the ocean to find Sita and set Lanka ablaze. He represents selfless service and divine energy. Poets invoke him to symbolize unwavering faith, heroic effort, and the union of power with humility, especially in devotional and epic poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Hanuman appears in devotional poetry as the perfect devotee: "Hanuman leaps the ocean, / his heart a flame for Rama— / devotion has no distance"; In epic verse, he embodies strength and humility: "Mighty enough to lift mountains, / yet bows his head like a child / before his lord’s sandals"; Poets reference him in times of struggle: "When doubt clouds my path, / I call Hanuman— / his tail still burns with faith"; He symbolizes selfless service: "No reward, no glory— / Hanuman serves for love alone, / and that is his power"; In modern poetry, he represents resilience: "Like Hanuman in Lanka’s fire, / I walk through my own trials / unburned by fear"; Contemporary poets link him to community: "Hanuman’s army is us— / ordinary souls with extraordinary / love for what is right"
Additional Notes
Hanuman, the monkey god and devoted servant of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana, epitomizes bhakti (devotion), strength tempered by humility, and selfless service. In poetry, he symbolizes unwavering faith, physical and spiritual power, and the ideal devotee who seeks no reward. His feats—leaping across the ocean, carrying mountains, setting Lanka ablaze—offer dynamic imagery for poems about courage, loyalty, or divine love. When referencing Hanuman, emphasize his dual nature: mighty yet gentle, playful yet disciplined. He is especially resonant in devotional (bhakti) poetry and diasporic verse exploring cultural identity. Related concepts include seva (service), dharma (duty), and the Hanuman Chalisa; he contrasts with Ravana’s ego-driven power.
Also Known As
The Monkey God Son of the Wind Devotee of Lord Rama
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