By 
No time for reading the story? Give it a listen on Spotify in English and Hindi.
This is the story of Hanuman’s legendary clash with Ravana in the Ramayana—a fierce battle where devotion, divine strength, and humility collide to uphold Lord Rama’s vow and rescue Sita from Lanka’s tyrannical king.
Characters in the story:
Lord Rama: Lord Rama is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism and is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his virtues of righteousness, courage, and devotion, and is considered a symbol of ideal human behavior and the victory of good over evil.
Hanuman: Hanuman is a revered deity in Hinduism, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible strength, symbolizing courage, loyalty, and selflessness.
Ranava: Ravana, a prominent character in the Hindu epic Ramayana, is widely recognized as the demon king of Lanka. Infamous for abducting Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, he faced his ultimate downfall at the hands of Lord Rama.
Lord Brahma: Lord Brahma holds a significant position in Hinduism as the divine creator of the universe and all living beings. He is commonly portrayed with four heads, symbolizing his association with the four Vedas.
The battle between Hanuman and Ravana was part of the great war to rescue Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, who had been kidnapped by Ravana.
Ravana, the arrogant king of Lanka, had abducted Sita to avenge his sister’s insult and to defy divine justice. Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, vowed to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita with the help of an army of Vanaras. Hanuman, Rama’s most devoted follower, played a key role in this war. His clash with Ravana wasn’t just about strength—it was a fight to uphold righteousness (dharma) and protect the innocent from evil.
The Battle Begins
During the final war of the Ramayana, Ravana charged onto the battlefield in his golden chariot. His arrows rained chaos, but Hanuman—Lord Rama’s loyal devotee and a mighty warrior—stood fearless. Determined to protect Rama’s army, Hanuman decided to confront Ravana himself.
1. Hanuman’s Thunderous Strike
Hanuman leaped into action. He uprooted a massive mountain peak and hurled it at Ravana! Ravana shattered it with his arrows, but Hanuman didn’t back down. With lightning speed, he closed in and punched Ravana’s chest with his fist. The blow was so powerful that Ravana staggered like a mountain hit by a thunderbolt!
Sanskrit Verse (Valmiki Ramayana 6.59.12–13):
ततो हनूमान् वेगेन रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्।
आजगाम जवोपेतः करेणाभिजघान ह॥
तस्य तेन प्रहारेण चचाल स महासुरः।
वज्रेणेव महाशैलः सपर्वतवनद्रुमः॥
Transliteration:
Tato hanūmān vegena rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasādhipam |
Ājagāma javopetaḥ kareṇābhijaghāna ha ||
Tasya tena prahāreṇa cacāla sa mahāsuraḥ |
Vajreṇeva mahāśailaḥ saparvatavanadrumaḥ ||
Translation:
“Then Hanuman, with great speed, struck Ravana with his fist. The demon king trembled like a massive mountain struck by a thunderbolt.”
Ravana’s crown tilted, his arms wobbled, and he nearly fell from his chariot. The demon king had never faced such raw strength!
2. Ravana Fights Back… But Fails
Humiliated, Ravana drew his sword and lunged at Hanuman, screaming in rage. But Hanuman, blessed with invincibility by Lord Brahma, didn’t flinch. The sword clanged harmlessly against his body.
Sanskrit Verse (Valmiki Ramayana 6.59.18–19):
ततः खड्गमथोद्यम्य रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः।
अभ्यधावत संक्रुद्धो हनुमन्तं महाबलः॥
तमापतन्तं संप्रेक्ष्य हनुमान् वानरर्षभः।
निषसाद महातेजा ह्यवध्यत्वं विचिन्तयन्॥
Transliteration:
Tataḥ khaḍgamathodyamya rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ |
Abhyadhāvata saṁkruddho hanumantaṃ mahābalaḥ ||
Tamāpatantaṃ saṁprekṣya hanumān vānararṣabhaḥ |
Niṣasāda mahātejā hyavadhyatvaṃ vicintayan ||
Translation:
“Ravana raised his sword and attacked Hanuman. But Hanuman calmly sat down, knowing no weapon could hurt him.”
Hanuman then smashed Ravana’s chariot to pieces with his bare hands, leaving the demon king sprawled in the dust.
3. Why Hanuman Spared Ravana
Hanuman grabbed Ravana by the throat, ready to crush him. But suddenly, he remembered Lord Brahma’s divine boon—a blessing that made him invincible but also reminded him of Rama’s sacred vow: “Only Rama can defeat Ravana.”
Though Hanuman could have killed Ravana easily, he chose to honor Rama’s promise. He released Ravana and said:
“You’re lucky Lord Rama swore to end you himself! Go face him—your doom is near.”
The Lesson: Loyalty Over Pride
This moment shows Hanuman’s greatness:
Unmatched Strength: He overpowered Ravana effortlessly.
Divine Wisdom: He obeyed Rama’s vow, even when victory was in his hands.
Humility: He let Rama take the glory, proving true devotion means serving others, not yourself.
Key Takeaways
Dharma Matters: Hanuman put duty (Rama’s vow) above personal triumph.
Divine Protection: Lord Brahma’s boon kept Hanuman safe and guided his choices.
Ravana’s Fate: This clash foreshadowed Ravana’s end at Rama’s hands, as destiny demanded.
Why This Story Inspires Us
It’s not just about a fight—it’s about loyalty, humility, and trusting a higher plan. Hanuman’s actions remind us that true power lies in selflessness.
