Hanuman’s Multilingualism

The politics over language is currently raging with the central government insisting on a pan-India 3-language policy, and a Southern state swearing by a 2-language formula.

How was the linguistic diversity during the Ramayana period, and how did people manage to communicate? Sanskrit was used by the few learned, but the commoners spoke in diverse vernacular languages.

What languages did Hanuman speak? What was his mother tongue? It depends on Hanuman’s place of birth about which there are rival claims – Nashik, Thirumala Hills, Hampi, and others. Kishkindha, the kingdom of Bali and Sugriva where Hanuman served is believed to be Hampi, Karnataka.

Hanuman had a boon which enabled him to assume any shape at will. It may be inferred that he was multilingual with competence in all languages and dialects spoken in Bharata-varsha.

Valmiki highlights Hanuman’s multilingualism and his great skill in the use of language suitable for the occasion.

(Hanuman Conversing, Tamilnadu, 11th Century; 

Source: metmuseum.org)

Valmiki introduces Hanuman in Kiskindhakanda. Sugriva, defeated by Bali and hiding in Rishyamuka mountains, sends Hanuman as his emissary to seek Rama’s help. Hanuman assumes the form of a mendicant and addresses Rama and Lakshmana with a fine and respectful speech after which Rama tells his brother:

नानृग्वेदविनीतस्य नायजुर्वेदधारिणः ।

नासामवेदविदुषः शक्यमेवं विभाषितुम् ॥ २८ ॥

(Kiskindhakanda -Canto III)[i]

‘The way (this emissary) has spoken is not possible for one who has not mastered Rgveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda.’

It is evident that Hanuman had spoken in elegant, flawless Sanskrit.

Later, Hanuman reaches Lanka and spots the distressed Sita in Ashok-van. Before addressing Sita, he speculates about the appropriate language for the occasion.

Sundarakanda: Canto XXX

यदि वाचं प्रदास्यामि द्विजातिरिव संस्कृताम्।

रावणं मन्यमाना मां सीता भीता भविष्यति ॥ १८ ॥

'If I speak in Sanskrit like a brahmana, Sītā will get frightened thinking me to be Ravana.’

Ravana was a brahman, and a reputed scholar. He, too, had the ability to assume any form at will.

अवश्यमेव वक्तव्यं मानुषं वाक्यमर्थवत्।

मया सान्त्वयितुं शक्या नान्यथेयमनिन्दिता ॥ १९॥

‘Only by using the language of the common people may I succeed in consoling this irreproachable lady.’

What language did Hanuman use to address Sita? Was it Maithili, Sita’s mother tongue; or Avadhi, Rama’s mother tongue?

Valmiki does not specify. But it is beyond doubt that Hanuman was multilingual.

May Lord Hanuman bless all on Hanuman Jayanti!  

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Postscript

Ancient India was Multilingual

Valmiki composed Ramayana in Sanskrit, the language of the elites and the learned; but the epic acknowledges a multilingual subcontinent.

Sheldon Pollock in The Language of the Gods in the World of Men quotes from Bhoja’s Sarasvatikanthabharana which mentions six languages – Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Paishachi, Shauraseni, and Magadhi - each with six varieties.

“Heavenly speech ["Sanskrit"] is worthy to hear, the best Prakrit is mellifluous by nature, Apabhramsha is lovely, Paishachi can be used to compose enchanting literature; the language of the people who dwell in Mathura ["Shauraseni"] and that of the people of Magadha are appealing to the clever. He who can compose in them all is the most successful, the very king, of poets.”

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[i] Ramayana quotes are from Srimad Valmiki-Ramayana (Gita Press, Gorakhpur)