Hanuman's Powers, Forms and Iconography
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Hanuman can shrink to the size of a mouse, grow as tall as a mountain, fly across the sea and lift a mountain, yet the stories stress that his real power is devotion and humility.
The eight siddhis
- Anima
- Becoming as small as an atom. Hanuman took a tiny form to enter Lanka.
- Mahima
- Becoming huge. He grew colossal for the leap across the ocean.
- Laghima
- Becoming weightless, enabling him to fly.
- Garima
- Becoming extremely heavy.
- Prapti
- Attaining whatever one wishes.
- Prakamya
- Irresistible will; no wish goes unfulfilled.
- Ishitva
- Lordship or mastery over things.
- Vashitva
- Power to control and bring others under influence.
The Hanuman Chalisa (verse 31) says that Mother Sita blessed Hanuman with the ability to grant the eight siddhis and nine nidhis (treasures) to devotees.
Forms mentioned in the Hanuman Chalisa
- Sukshma roop: a tiny form used to meet Sita in the Ashoka grove.
- Vikat roop: a terrifying form, used to burn Lanka.
- Bhima roop: a gigantic form, used against demons in battle.
Panchmukhi Hanuman
In the Panchmukhi (five-faced) form, Hanuman is described with faces of Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hayagriva, facing different directions, and is worshipped as a protector against dangers from every direction. The form is linked in later tellings to the rescue of Ram and Lakshman from Ahiravana in the netherworld.
How Hanuman is pictured
- Gada (mace): the weapon of strength; often held over the shoulder.
- Sanjeevani mountain: lifted in one hand, from the story of Lakshman's revival.
- Saffron flag (dhwaja): a symbol of victory and dharma.
- Sindoor: his images are smeared with vermilion; a folk story says he covered himself in it after seeing Sita's sindoor.
- Folded hands: the humble servant of Ram, called Dasa Hanuman.
- Chest opened: Ram and Sita seen in his heart.
- Flying pose: Veer Hanuman, the leaper over the ocean.
Intelligence and speech
Hanuman's mind matches his strength. He learned the Vedas and grammar from Surya, and in the Ramayana Ram remarks that only a master of the Vedas could speak so clearly and respectfully. His cleverness is shown when he chooses his forms, answers Ravana without fear and identifies himself to Sita in a way that wins her trust.
See the names of Hanuman, or return to the Hanuman ji guide. View his illustrated paintings.
A note on sources: the story of Hanuman is told in the Valmiki Ramayana (Sanskrit), Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi), the Mahabharata, the Puranas and many regional retellings. The accounts agree on the main events but differ in details, so this guide says so wherever traditions differ.