Editing Hanuman (section)

==Names and etymology==
[[File:A Hanuman sculpture in Singapore.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|Hanuman with a [[Namaste]] (Anjali Mudra) posture]]
The meaning or origin of the word "Hanuman" is unclear. In the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[pantheon (religion)|pantheon]], deities typically have many synonymous names, each based on some noble characteristic, attribute, or reminder of a deed achieved by that deity.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}} One interpretation of "Hanuman" is "one having a disfigured jaw". This version is supported by a Puranic legend wherein infant Hanuman mistakes the [[Sun]] for a fruit, heroically attempts to reach it, and is wounded in the jaw for his attempt by [[Indra]] the King of Gods.{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}

Hanuman combines two of the most cherished traits in the Hindu [[bhakti]]-[[shakti]] worship traditions: "heroic, strong, assertive excellence" and "loving, emotional devotion to personal God".{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}

Linguistic variations of "Hanuman" include ''Hanumat'', ''Anuman'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]), ''Hanumantha'' ([[Kannada]]), ''Hanumanthudu'' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]). Other names include:
* ''Anjaneya'',<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/68 68]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> ''Anjaniputra'' (Kannada), ''Anjaneyar'' (Tamil), ''Anjaneyudu'' (Telugu), ''Anjanisuta'' all meaning "the son of [[Añjanā|Anjana]]"
* ''Kesari Nandana or Kesarisuta'', based on his father, which means "son of [[Kesari (Ramayana)|Kesari]]"
* ''Vayuputra/ Pavanputra'' : the son of the [[Vayu]] deva- Wind god<ref name="Claus2003p280"/>
* ''Vajrang Bali/Bajrang Bali'', "the strong one (''bali''), who had limbs (''anga'') as hard or as tough as [[vajra]] (''diamond'')"; this name is widely used in rural North India{{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}
* ''Sankata Mochana'', "the remover of dangers, hardships, or hurdles" (''sankata''){{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=31–32}}
* ''Māruti'', "son of Maruta" (another name of [[Vayu]] deva){{sfn|Lutgendorf|2007|pp=50–53}}
* ''Kapeeshwara'', "lord of monkeys."
* ''Rama Doota'', "the messenger (''doota'') of [[Rama]]"
* ''Mahakaya'', "gigantic"
* ''Vira'', ''Mahavira'', "most valiant"
* ''Mahabala/Mahabali'', "the strongest one"
* ''Vanarkulathin Thondaiman'', "descendant of the [[Vanara|Vanar]] clan" (Tamil)
* ''Panchavaktra'', "five-faced"
* ''Mukhya Prana Devaru'', "Primordial Life Giver" (more prominent amongst followers of Dvaita, such as Madhwas)