Bala Ramayana - The Birth of the Vanara Heroes

Summary of the last story

King Daśaratha performed the Putreṣṭi yajña. The gods pleaded with Viṣṇu to be born as a human and destroy Rāvaṇa. Viṣṇu agreed, and a divine being rose from the sacrificial fire with celestial porridge, which Daśaratha gave to his queens. They soon conceived.

When the moment came for Viṣṇu to descend to earth as Daśaratha's son, Brahmā gathered the gods once more. The heavens filled with shimmering light as the celestials stood before him.

Brahmā spoke:

"Viṣṇu has kept his promise. He will walk among men to destroy Rāvaṇa. We must prepare forces worthy of serving him. Create mighty sons—strong as lions, swift as the wind, noble in thought, and fearless in battle. Let them be freed from hunger and thirst, protected like those who have tasted amṛta. Let them shape their bodies at will, moving across the worlds with ease."

He added, "I have already created Jāmbavān, the leader among bears."

At Brahmā's command, the gods and divine beings began creating powerful sons in the forms of vanaras—forest-dwelling beings with the strength and energy of wild nature.

The Birth of the Vanara Heroes

The celestial hosts worked together:

  • Indra created Vāli, future king of the vanaras.
  • Sūrya brought forth Sugrīva, brave and radiant.
  • Bṛhaspati produced the wise Tārā.
  • Kubera created Gandhamādana.
  • Viśvakarma shaped Nala, skilled in crafts and building.
  • Agni, the fire-god, brought forth Nīla, glowing with fiery strength.
  • The Aśvinī gods produced Mainda and Dvivida.
  • Varuṇa created Suṣeṇa, and Parjanya brought forth Śarabha.

And then came the mightiest of all.

From the wind-god Vāyu was born Hanumān. His body was hard as a diamond. His speed matched Garuḍa. His courage, wisdom, and devotion shone brighter than the sun. The moment he came into being, the worlds felt a rush of wind, as if touched by limitless strength.

Soon thousands more appeared—vanara heroes who could shake mountains with their steps, split trees with their roars, and leap across oceans in a single bound. Their powerful voices echoed through the forests and hills, causing birds to fall in fear. Their bodies were enormous and their hearts full of purpose.

All these mighty beings filled the earth, waiting for the day when Rāma, the human form of Viṣṇu, would need their help.

Thus the world prepared for the great battle between dharma and adharma, between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, between light and darkness.