The death of Hanuman, the mighty monkey god and devotee of Lord Rama, has puzzled Hindus for centuries. Despite his supernatural abilities and strength, Hanuman was eventually killed. But how did the seemingly invincible Hanuman meet his end? Let’s examine the various accounts of his death and try to solve this ancient mystery.
Who was Hanuman?
Hanuman was born to Anjana and Kesari and belonged to the Vanara kingdom. He possessed extraordinary powers due to a boon from the gods. Hanuman played a pivotal role in the Ramayana by helping Rama defeat the demon king Ravana and rescue Sita. He is worshipped for his strength, devotion, and selfless service to Lord Rama.
Why is Hanuman considered immortal?
There are several reasons why Hanuman is considered immortal or ‘Chiranjeevi’:
- He was blessed by Surya with boons of immortality and supernatural powers.
- He played a key part in Rama’s divine mission, so he was untouched by death.
- His devotion to Rama made him invincible against any attack.
- His tale is eternal, keeping his character alive forever.
So how did such a powerful and immortal being eventually die? Let’s analyze the different theories about Hanuman’s death.
Theories about Hanuman’s Death
There are several accounts of how Hanuman eventually met his end. Here are some of the main theories about his death:
Killed by another Vanara
One legend states that Hanuman was killed by another mighty Vanara named Gandhamadana on the orders of Lord Brahma. Gandhamadana struck Hanuman on the jaw with his weapon during a dispute between Rama’s and Krishna’s devotees. This blow eventually led to Hanuman’s demise.
Cursed by sages
According to another story, Hanuman was cursed by several sages that he would gradually lose his supernatural powers and eventually die. Their curse came to pass during the Mahabharata era long after the Ramayana war. With his strength depleted, Hanuman could finally be slain.
Tricks by Lord Krishna
Some accounts say that Lord Krishna wanted to remove Hanuman from the earth as he was too devoted to Lord Rama. So he devised a plan to kill him. Krishna disguised himself as a small boy and entered Hanuman’s meditation cave. He took Hanuman’s gada (mace) saying he wanted to play with it. Annoyed, Hanuman slapped the child lightly to take it back. But this discharge of violence during meditation made Hanuman lose his supernatural powers. This allowed him to be killed by a normal hunter or soldier.
Accident while flying
A folk tale describes how Hanuman was engaging in his usual habit of flying and circling the earth. He saw the sun low on the horizon and flew towards it thinking it was a ripe mango. In his rush, Hanuman was unable to stop himself and crashed into a mountain. This accident proved fatal for him.
Killed by his own power
According to a philosophical theory, Hanuman generated so much life energy through his celibate lifestyle that he could not contain it anymore. His own vital power accumulated inside his body till it caused an explosion, leading to Hanuman’s death.
Where did Hanuman die?
The place of Hanuman’s death is also disputed in different accounts:
- Himalayas – Hanuman died in the Himalayas after an attack by Gandhamadana or the sages’ curses.
- Dwarka – Lord Krishna orchestrated Hanuman’s end in this city.
- Mountain in south India – Hanuman crashed into this hill in a flying accident.
- No physical place – Since it was a metaphysical explosion of energy, Hanuman did not die anywhere.
How did Lord Rama react?
Despite the different theories about how Hanuman met his end, all accounts agree that Lord Rama was distraught when he learned of Hanuman’s death. This devoted companion had played a pivotal part in Rama’s divine mission. Rama was inconsolable at the death of his beloved devotee Hanuman. It is said that Lord Rama’s grief led Hanuman’s soul to immediately re-enter his body so he could console his Lord one last time before attaining moksha or salvation.
Conclusion
| Theory | How Hanuman died | Where it happened |
|---|---|---|
| Killed by Vanara | Blow to jaw by Gandhamadana | Himalayas |
| Cursed by sages | Lost powers gradually by curse | Unknown |
| Tricks by Krishna | Slapped disguised Krishna, lost powers | Dwarka |
| Flying accident | Crashed into mountain | Mountain in south India |
| Own energy explosion | Vital energy accumulated and exploded | No physical place |
Hanuman’s death remains a mystery with several competing theories about how the immortal monkey god met his end. But the common strand across all accounts is Lord Rama’s immense grief at losing his beloved companion. While we may never know what truly happened, Hanuman’s loyal service and devotion continue to inspire Hindus till today. His character remains immortal through the ages.