The Hidden Tale of Hanuman and His Son Makardhwaja

The epic Ramayana is filled with heroic deeds, divine interventions, and timeless lessons. Among its lesser-known stories is the intriguing tale of Hanuman and Makardhwaja—a narrative of unexpected kinship, duty, and devotion. Rooted in Bengali and Assamese adaptations of the Ramayana, this story reveals Hanuman’s hidden struggles and the power of familial bonds.

The Birth of Makardhwaja: A Divine Accident

After the fiery battle in Lanka, Hanuman—the mighty devotee of Lord Rama—returned to the ocean to cool off. As he bathed, a drop of his sweat fell into the waters, where it was swallowed by a giant fish. Miraculously, this fish gave birth to a half-monkey, half-fish warrior named Makardhwaja, who inherited Hanuman’s divine strength and loyalty.

Though unaware of his lineage, Makardhwaja grew into a formidable guardian, eventually appointed as the protector of Patala (the netherworld) by Ahiravana, the demon king and brother of Ravana.

Ahiravana’s Deception: Kidnapping Rama and Lakshmana

During the final days of the Lanka war, Ahiravana hatched a sinister plan. Disguised as Vibhishana (Ravana’s righteous brother), he kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana and whisked them away to Patala. To rescue them, Hanuman embarked on a perilous journey to the underworld, battling demons and navigating dark labyrinths.

Father vs. Son: The Battle in Patala

At the gates of Patala, Hanuman encountered Makardhwaja, who stood as the fortress’s fierce guardian. A brutal clash ensued—Hanuman’s mace met Makardhwaja’s trident, shaking the very foundations of the netherworld.

But as they fought, Hanuman sensed a strange familiarity in his opponent’s strength. Through divine insight, he realized Makardhwaja was his own son, born of his sweat and the ocean’s magic. When Hanuman revealed this truth, Makardhwaja froze in awe. Recognizing his father’s devotion to Rama, he immediately surrendered, pledging allegiance to Hanuman’s mission.

The Rescue and a Son’s Redemption

With Makardhwaja’s help, Hanuman infiltrated Ahiravana’s lair. To defeat the demon, Hanuman had to extinguish five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously—a task requiring his iconic Panchamukhi (five-faced) form. Victorious, he rescued Rama and Lakshmana, while Makardhwaja, now redeemed, took charge of Patala as its righteous ruler.

Significance of the Story

Unexpected Kinship: The tale underscores that familial bonds can emerge in the unlikeliest ways, transcending physical form and circumstance.

Duty Above All: Makardhwaja’s choice to side with dharma (righteousness) over his king highlights the importance of moral duty.

Hanuman’s Humility: Despite his divine power, Hanuman embraces compassion, even toward a foe-turned-son.

Sources and Cultural Legacy

This story is famously narrated in Bengali and Assamese Ramayana adaptations, such as Krittibas Ojha’s Bangla Ramayana and Madhava Kandali’s Assamese Ramayana. It remains a popular folk narrative, symbolizing the triumph of devotion and the complexity of divine relationships.