Who Was Hanuman In Vedic Age?

Is there any reference of Hanuman in Vedic literature? I ventured into literature to find out an answer of this question. I would briefly outline my conclusion in this article. In Rig Veda no such word as Hanuman has been found except a word Vrishakapi.Vrishakapi word comes in a reference to a story related to Indra and Indrani. The Sukta in which his name comes first is as follows: Here in this sukta Kapi is called as harit mriga, in Valmiki Ramayana one name of Hanuman is sakha Mriga. In Rig Veda harit mriga is an enemy of Indra and sometimes causes pain to Indrani, for that reason often there would be a fight. Vrishakapischaracter is as impressive as Indra but it is not clear what exactly he was because he drinks soma (remember Soma is not wine

 ! - it is juice of Saam Gaan.) and was worshiped like other gods. Geldner and Velankar agree that Vrishakapi was Indras friend before he became his enemy. The tussle between Indra and Vrishakapi had been becauseVrishakapi proposed Indrani- The wife of Indra and wanted her but She did not agree. After her refusal Vrishakapi rebuked her and said, She is not beautiful and only worthy of her husbands love, having heart this she became furious and quarreled with him, and in return he destroyed her assets. Later Indra tried to bring peace but was unable to. Vrishakapi left Indras house and took shelter in rich peoples homes. This event influenced people and they regarded him for his might, forgotten Indra and stopped worshiping him. We find some sukta that tells us that after this incident soma juice was not offered to Indra and Indrani but to Vrishakapi. Vrishakapi was already a Somapayee. Indra himself called him matsakha -. It was Vedic tradition that only mightiest, worthiest and accomplished in Vedas having divine qualities were called upon and offered the soma. After Rigveda, we do find many references in Tattiriya Samhita and Vasajneyi Samhita that convince us that a kind of monkey cult was in existence at that time. In these old scriptures word markata and mayum has been used for monkeys or a kind of species like monkeys. At the time of Chandogya Upanishad the cult was almost prominent and was recognized. Chandogya gives simile of monkeys red two sitters - as a metaphor for the eyes of the famous Golden man seated in the sun orb. In this Samhita we also find a kind of community named kapya; probably they might have been monkey worshipers. kapi and markata words are still used for monkey god Hanuman.

Suniti Kumar Chaterji and Parjitars researches on the monkey cult conclude that before the coming of Aryans, monkey cult might have been existed in non-Aryan peoples culture. Rigveda sukta confirms us about this truth. Indra was Aryan God and was challenged by non-Aryan monkey god namely ( in south >> in north). As usual according to their rule they encapsulated him by offering soma juice. word seems to be a distorted form of . Vrishakapi story is also found in Brahma Purana old editions at present deleted in all new editions. Brahma Purana tells us how Vrishakapi became Indras friend. He saved his kingdom and made him free from the devil Mahashani. The relation with Shani and Hanuman was established later and it is said that only Hanuman can control Shani. Shani was a devil and still he is believed to be so but as an evil planet. According to many Vrishakapi was a most important god of non-Aryans and possibly is ancient than RigVeda. He was assimilated in Aryan culture and people carried him forward as Vira deity. As religion evolved he was relate to every Avataras and Gods. Vrishakapi is still worshiped by many schedule cast societies of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the form of Vira from where Hanuman received another name Mahavira.

His Gayatri mantra includes this name thus: : Vira might have been Yakshas Deity according to many Vedic scholars who was capable to appear in any form; he was probably a nature deity. This was remarkably depicted by Tantric worshipers in the form of five headed (Mahabira) Hanuman. He could appear in five animal forms:-lion, ass, monkey, parrot and boar. It is an authentic depiction of Vrishakapi because a nature worshiper who lived in forest and whose entire life was dependent on forest could not expect more than this; in each form Vrishakapi was able to save them from the dangerous forest beasts. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar many casts worship Vira as boar or Varah Devata. In Mahabharta we find him as Varaha Devata:

Written by : Rajesh Shukla ( Artcritic , author and journalist)