This page brings together key shlokas about Lord Hanuman and a selection of his Sanskrit names with their meanings. For the complete Ashtottara Shatanamavali — the 108 sacred names recited with a mala — see the 108 Names of Hanuman page.
The Budhi-Bal Shloka
Sanskrit
BuddhirbalamyashoDhairyam nirbhayatvam-arogata
Ajadyam vakapatutvam cha Hanumatsmaranathbavet
Meaning
By remembering Hanuman, one receives: intelligence, strength, fame, steadiness, courage, freedom from disease, freedom from laziness, and power of speech.
The significance of this shloka is that it names qualities which rarely coexist in one person. An intelligent person may not be strong; a strong person may not have humility; a learned person may not have devotion. Anjaneya embodies all these qualities simultaneously and without contradiction. He is strong and humble. He is learned and devoted. He is fearless and utterly surrendered. Because he holds all these without conflict, he is able to bestow them on those who remember him.
Anjaneya as Scholar and Devotee
Lord Rama himself praised Hanuman as Nava vyakarana vetta — one who has mastered all nine schools of grammar. He learned the Vedas and all shastras under Suryadev. SOURCE NEEDED: The claim that Hanuman composed a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in the Paisasa language is mentioned in South Indian devotional tradition — primary source not identified.
In South India he is called Anjaneya or Anjaneyalu. In Karnataka, Hanumanthaiah. In Maharashtra, Maruthi. In North India, Mahaveer or Pavanputra.
On Hanuman’s Original Name
Scholars of the devotional tradition have discussed what Hanuman’s original name was. One view holds that his mother Anjana named him Sunder (handsome) at birth, owing to his divine beauty. This is supported by the observation that the fifth chapter of the Ramcharitmanas — which contains Hanuman’s greatest deeds — is called Sundar Kand (as is the corresponding kand of Valmiki’s Ramayana). This is a traditional scholarly argument within devotional literature, not an established historical fact.
Names of Hanuman — Selected
The names below are drawn from devotional literature and traditional usage. For the full recitation list of 108 names with mala chanting instructions, see 108 Names of Hanuman.
- Anjaneya
- Son of Anjana
- Anjanagarbhasambhoota
- Born of Anjani
- Ashokavanikachhetre
- Destroyer of the Ashoka Grove
- Akshahantre
- Slayer of Aksha (Ravana’s son)
- Bajrangbali
- Of the strength of diamond (bajra = diamond/thunderbolt)
- Bhakthavatsala
- Protector of devotees
- Bhavishya Chaturanana
- Aware of future happenings
- Chiranjeevini
- Eternal being
- Deenabandhave
- Protector of the downtrodden
- Daithyakulantaka
- Destroyer of the demon lineage
- Hanumanta
- One with puffy/swollen cheeks (from the sun-swallowing episode)
- JaiKapeesh
- Hail, lord of monkeys
- Kapeeshwara
- Lord of monkeys
- Kabalikruta
- Swallower of the sun
- Kesarinandan
- Son of Kesari
- Kalanemi Pramathana
- Slayer of Kalanemi
- Karagrahavimoktre
- One who frees from imprisonment
- Kamaroopine
- One who can change form at will
- Lankineebhanjana
- Slayer of Lankini
- Lakshmanapranadatre
- Reviver of Lakshmana’s life
- Lankapuravidahaka
- He who burnt Lanka
- Lokapujya
- Worshipped by the universe
- Maruti
- Son of Marut (wind god)
- Mahavira
- Most valiant
- Manojavaya
- Speed like the wind
- Mahabala Parakrama
- Of great strength and valour
- Navavyakruti Pandita
- Skilful scholar of the nine vyakaranas
- Panchavaktra
- Five-faced
- Pavanputra
- Son of the wind god
- Pingalaksha
- Pink-eyed
- Ramadhuta
- Ambassador of Rama
- Ramabhakta
- Devoted to Rama
- Rakshovidhwansakaraka
- Slayer of demons
- Sankatamochana
- Reliever of sorrows and difficulties
- Sarvaduhkhahara
- Reliever of all agonies
- Sarvagraha Nivashinay
- Killer of evil effects of planets
- Sarvarogahara
- Reliever of all ailments
- Sanjeevananagahatre
- Bearer of the Sanjeevani mountain
- Sitashoka Nivarana
- Destroyer of Sita’s sorrow
- Sugreeva Sachiva
- Minister of Sugriv
- Tatvagyanaprada
- Granter of wisdom
- Vajrakaya
- Body strong as metal/diamond
- Vijitendriya
- Controller of the senses
Related Pages
- 108 Names of Hanuman — the complete Ashtottara Shatanamavali with mala chanting instructions
- Hanuman Mantras — Mool Mantra, Beej Mantra, Gayatri and more
- Hanuman Chalisa — the 40-verse prayer by Tulsidas
- About Hanuman Ji — the complete introduction to Hanuman’s identity, qualities and role