Vali, king of Kishkindha, had a feudal lord named Kesari who was married to the beautiful monkey damsel Anjana. She was a nymph named Punjikasthala in her previous birth. She assumed the birth of a monkey damsel due to the curse inflicted upon her.
Hanuman was the son of Anjana and Kesari. One morning, he took off to eat the sun, thinking it to be a fruit. He put the sun inside his mouth. Seeing this, Indra attacked the infant with his weapon, which hit against Hanuman’s chin. Hanuman fell down on the ground unconscious. Kesari was furious and stopped all his movements. All creatures felt choked. Lord Brahma along with all the gods apologised to Vayu who resumed his movements after the little Hanuman was revived. All the gods blessed that Hanuman would be invincible against all weapons. As the child’s chin was broken, he came to be known as ‘Hanuman’.
As a child, Hanuman was very naughty and mischievous. he often teased the saints and the sages. One day, a sage cursed him that he would forget everything and would be able to recall his strength only when reminded of.
