Vanara

In Hinduism, Vanara () are either monkeys, apes, or a race of forest-dwelling people. In the epic the Ramayana, the Vanaras help Rama defeat Ravana. They are generally depicted as humanoid apes, or human-like beings. There are three main theories about the etymology of the word "Vanara": Aiyanar suggests that vanara means "monkey" derived from the word vana ("forest"), Literally meaning "belonging to the forest" Monier-Williams says it is probably derived from vanar (lit. "wandering in the forest") and means "forest-animal" or monkey. Devdutt Pattanaik suggests that it derives from the words vana ("forest"), and nara ("man"), thus meaning "forest man" and suggests that they may not be monkeys, which is the general meaning. It may be derived from the words vav and nara, meaning "is it a man?" (meaning "monkey") or "perhaps he is man". Although the word Vanara has come to mean "monkey" over the years and the Vanaras are depicted as monkeys in the popular art, their exact identity is not clear. According to the Ramayana, Vanaras were shapeshifters. In the Vanara form, they had beards with extended sideburns, narrowly shaved chin gap, and no moustache. They had a tail and razor-sharp claws. Their skin and skeleton were inforced with an indestructible Vajra, which no earthly element could penetrate. Unlike other exotic creatures such as the rakshasas, the Vanaras do not have a precursor in the Vedic literature. The Ramayana presents them as humans with reference to their speech, clothing, habitations, funerals, weddings, consecrations etc. It also describes their monkey-like characteristics such as their leaping, hair, fur and a tail.cite book |author=Catherine Ludvik |title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa |url= |date=1 January 1994 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1122-5 |pages=2–3|quote=G. Ramadas infers from Ravana's reference to the ''kapis tail as an ornament (bhusana) that is a long appendage in the dress worn by men of the Savara tribe.