Hanuman

Hanuman South and Central Asia In Hindu mythology, the monkey chief and son of Vayu, was an ally of Rama in his battle with Ravana. His divine nature was very versatile, permitting dramatic changes in shape and size as well as the power of flight. When Hanuman leapt across the sea to Sri Lanka, the stronghold of Ravana, a female demon named Surasa tried to swallow him bodily. To avoid this interception Hanuman distended his body, forcing Surasa to elongate her mouth enormously, then he suddenly shrank to the size of a thumb, shot through her head, and emerged from her right ear. Landed safely on the island, he dealt the forces of Ravana mortal blows and burned down the capital. For his many services Rama rewarded Hunuman with the gift of perpetual life and youth.

In Buddhist mythology the story of the monkey deity is reproduced with many embellishments. The most celebrated account of his exploits is found in the Chinese novel Pilgrimage to the West by Wu Cheng-en (1505–80); it tells of Hanuman's assistance to Tripitaka on his long journey to India in order to obtain the Buddhist scriptures.