What happened to Vanaras of Kishkindha after Ramayana?
In Ramayana, the Vanaras or Vanara Sena (monkey clan) are the prominent people who helped Lord Rama in his quest. Everybody knows about the glorious role played by the Vanara sena, which was led by Hanuman, Sugreeva, and Angadha in the Ramayana. But many people don’t know about what happened to him after Lanka’s quest. Let’s find out what happened to the clan. Does any of them still alive?
In Ramayana, Vanaras belong to the region called Kishkindha (currently in Hampi, Karnataka). The kishkindha was ruled by King Vali in the Ramayana time. After the killing of Vali by Lord Rama, Sugriva became the king of Kishkindha and made Angada, the son of Vali commander of Kishkindha. The entire clan along with Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, and Jambhavan helped Lord Rama in his quest of finding Sita.
After the great fight between Rama and Ravana
After the great fight between Rama and Ravana, Lord Rama, Sita, and others along with the remaining vanara clan came to India. And Sugriva ruled the Kishkindha like before. A part of Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana describes the fate of various Vanaras post-Ramayana. When Lord Rama was told by Yama (the Hindu god of death) that his time on Earth was coming to an end Lord Rama prepared to depart the Earth by going into the Sarayu river.
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Angada is in charge of the Kishkindha
After hearing about this, Sugriva put Vali’s son Angada in charge of the Kishkindha. After that, he and a group of Vanaras went to Ayodhya to join Rama in departing the Earth. Hearing the depiction of Rama from the Earth many rishis also came to see him. The king of Kishkindha Sugriva also joined with Lord Rama. Along with Sugriva several other vanaras followed with him.
Lord Rama tells Hanuman, “You will live forever. You will also be praised as long as my history is spoken in the world. Delighted Hanuman said, “As long as your sacred name is present in this world, I will live here, carrying your command.”
Hanuman assures other Vanaras
After that, Hanuman assures Jambhavan, Mainda, Dwrivida, and other Vanaras: “As long as the Kali-yuga exists, so will you will all live.” Thus, along with Lord Rama, Sugriva and other Vanaras depicted the Earth. Hanuman, Jambhavan, Mainda, Dwirida, and five other Vanaras including Nala and Nila are said to be still alive today.
Vanaras appearance in Mahabharata
The most famous vanara that appeared after the Ramayana period i.e., in Mahabharata time was Lord Hanuman. He visited Pandavas many times, in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, he blocked the path of Bhima in the Gandhamadana mountains in the Himalayas. This incident is titled the “Garvabhangam” in the Mahabharata.
Arjuna meeting Hanuman
In the Mahabharata, there is a story that Arjuna met Hanuman at Rameshwaram. Hanuman challenged Arjuna to make a sturdy bridge of arrows. This encounter is responsible for Arjuna putting the flag of Hanuman on his chariot, and also why Arjuna is called “Kapidhwaja.”
Krishna meeting Jambhavan
In another instance, the Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Lord Krishna was once falsely accused of stealing the Samanthakamani. Then he launched a quest to clear his name, the gem had actually fallen into the hands of Jambhavan. After the Ramayana period, Jambhavan lived in a mountain cave. Jambhavan gave the Samanthakamani to his daughter to play with this gem. After that, there was a great battle happened between Lord Krishna and Jambhavan.
The fight happened for about 20 days, after which Jambhavan began to grow tired. Realizing who Krishna was, Jambhavan submitted. He gave the Samanthakamani to Lord Krishna and his daughter Jambhavati to him. This story became a popular story that has been said during the Vinakaya Chaturthi time.
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Yudhistira’s Rajasuya Yagna
In the Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata, Yudhistira became the King of Indraprastha. One day, sage Narada visited Indhraprastha and suggested performing the Rajasuya Yagna. Rajasuya Yagna was a sacrifice performed by kings in ancient days to declare themselves as the King of Kings. The main theme of Rajasuya Yagna is to win all other kingdoms either by friendship or war.
Yudhistira sent his four brothers to all four directions. Sahadeva was sent to the South, where he conquered the vanara kingdom of Kishkindha. Sahadeva fought for a week with Mainda and Dwivida who were ruling during that time. Those illustrious kings, however, fought without being tired of the encounter and expressed their gratification with Sahadeva. They too accepted the Yudhistira as the King of Kings.
Dwivida’s death
Dwivida was friend of Narakasura. To avenge the death of his friend the mighty Dwivida ravaged the land, setting fires that burned cities, villages, mines, and cowherd dwellings. Dwivida tore up many mountains and used them to devastate all the neighboring kingdoms. He also harassed a group of young women who were with Balarama (brother of Krishna). Balarama took his club and plow weapon, having decided to put Dwivida to dead. The mighty Dwivida himself clenched his fists and beat them against Balarama’s body. Balarama became furious and used his bare hands and blew a powerful punch upon Dwivida’s collarbone. The mighty vanara warrior collapsed like a huge banyan tree vomiting blood.
There are many witnesses of Vanaras of Kishkindha after the Ramayana. There was a saying that Hanuman, Jambhvana, and a few others are still alive now.
Originally published at https://historicalhuman.blogspot.com.
