What happened to Vanara Sena after Ramayana

SPEAKING TREE

Everyone is familiar with the glorious role played by the Vanara Sena, or monkey clan, led by Hanuman, Vaali and Sugreeva, in the Ramayana. But not many know what happened to them afterwards. Let’s find out!

An excerpt from the Ramayana

An excerpt from the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana describes the fate of the various Vanaras post-Ramayana when Rama was told by Yama, the god of death, that his time on Earth was nearing an end, he prepared to depart the Earth by going into the Sarayu river.

Angada in charge

When Sugriva heard about this, he put Vaali's son Angada in charge of the Vanara kingdom of Kishkindha, after which, he and a group of Vanaras went to Ayodhya to join Rama in departing the Earth.

Monkeys

Then, the Vanaras, accompanied by bears and rakshasas (demons), began to assemble there. Apprised of Rama's determination of going to heaven, the Vanaras, along with Rishis and Gandharvas, came to see Rama.

What they said to Rama

And they told Rama: "O Rama, foremost among men, if you depart for heaven forsaking us all, it will be akin to hurling Yama's rod upon us." The highly powerful Sugriva too saluted Rama, saying: "O lord of men, having placed Angada on the throne, I have come hither. I am determined to follow you, O King."

Rama agrees

Hearing the words of the Vanaras, Rama agreed to fulfil their wishes. He tells Hanuman, "It is settled that you shall live forever. As long as my history is spoken in this world, you will also be praised. Being thus addressed by his beloved Master, Hanuman was delighted, and said, "As long as the sacred theme is present in this world, I shall live here, carrying out your command."

Hanuman assures other Vanars

Thereupon, Hanuman tells Jambhavan, Mainda, Dwrivida and other Vanaras: "As long as the Kali Yuga exists, so will you all live." Thus, while Sugriva and other Vanaras departed the Earth along with Rama, Hanuman, Jambavan, Mainda, Dvivida, and five other Vanaras (including Nila and Nala), are said to be still alive today.

Famous appearances of a Vanara

The most famous appearance of a Vanara is Hanuman's encounter with the Pandavas, in a much-later Yuga. The “Vana Parva” of the Mahabharata describes how Hanuman once blocked the path of Bhima in the Gandhamadana mountains in the Himalayas. Incidentally, both being the sons of Vayu, the wind god, they were also brothers.

Arjuna meeting Hanuman

Then, there is the story of Arjuna meeting Hanuman at Rameshwaram and challenging him to make a sturdy bridge of arrows. This encounter is said to be responsible for Arjuna putting the flag of Hanuman on his chariot, and also why Arjuna is also known as “Kapidhwaja”.

Krishna and Jambhavan

In another instance, the Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Krishna was once falsely accused of stealing the Syamantaka gem, and he launched a quest to clear his name. The gem had actually fallen into the hands of Jambhavan, who lived in a mountain cave, who in turn gave it to his son to play with.

Krishna fights Jambhavan

So Krishna fought Jambhavan to get the gem back. Jambhavan, realising that Krishna was a reincarnation of Rama, to whom Jambhavan had the utmost loyalty, happily gives Krishna the Syamantaka gem, as well as his daughter's hand in marriage. Jambhavan's daughter Jambhavati thus became one of Krishna's queens.

Pandavas and other Vanars

The Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata describes how Yudhishthira conducted a Rajasuya Yagna, during which he sent his four brothers in all four directions, and each king they encountered had to either accept the sovereignty of Yudhisthira, or fight them. Sahadeva was sent South, where he conquered the Vanara kingdom of Kishkindha after a week-long battle with Mainda and Dvivida, who were ruling it at the time.

The caves of Kishkindha

The long-armed hero marched further south, where he beheld the celebrated caves of Kishkindha and fought for seven days with the monkey kings Mainda and Dwivida. Those illustrious kings, however, without being tired of the encounter, expressed gratification with Sahadeva. And joyfully addressing the Kuru prince, they said, "O tiger among the sons of Pandu, go hence, taking the tribute from us all. Let the mission of king Yudhishthira be accomplished without hindrance."

Legend of Dvivida

There was an ape named Dvivida who was a friend of Narakasura. This powerful Dvivida, the brother of Mainda, had been instructed by King Sugriva to avenge the death of his friend Naraka. Indeed, the ape Dvivida ravaged the land, setting fires that burned cities, villages, mines and cowherd dwellings.

Mass destruction

Dvivida tore up a number of mountains and used them to devastate all the neighbouring kingdoms, especially the province of Anarta, wherein dwelt his friend’s killer, Lord Hari. Another time, he entered the ocean and, with the strength of 10,000 elephants, churned up its water with his arms, thereby submerging the coastal regions.

Sages tormented

The wicked ape tore down the trees in the hermitages of exalted sages and contaminated their sacrificial fires. Just as a wasp imprisons smaller insects, he arrogantly threw both men and women into caves in a mountain valley and sealed the caves shut with boulders.

Krishna's brother Balarama

Finally, Dvivida harassed a group of young women who were with Krishna's brother Balarama, so Balarama fought him in an epic battle. While Lord Balarama took up his club and plow weapon, having decided to put his enemy to death, mighty Dvivida himself clenched his fists and beat them against Balarama’s body. The furious Lord of the Yadavas then threw aside his club and plow and using his bare hands, hammered a blow upon Dvivida’s collarbone. The ape collapsed, vomiting blood. 

From Treta Yuga to Dwapar Yuga

Thus, we have proof of the Vanaras existing since the Treta Yuga up until Dwapar Yuga are they around in Kali Yuga? Only time will tell.