Kesari is a male vanara, and a figure in Hinduism. He is the father of Hanuman and the husband of Anjana.
Legend
Early life
While mighty Kesari ruled the Mount Meru/Sumeru, Brahmā cursed an apsara named Managarva, and turned her into a vanara. She married Kesari, under the name Anjana. For a long time, the couple were childless. Anjana propitiated Vayu for a child.
In Shaiva tradition, Shiva was requested to beget a son to help Vishnu, who was about to incarnate as Rama to slay Ravana. Shiva and Parvati took the form of vanaras and engaged in intercourse. When Vayu appeared, the couple made their presence known, and Parvati revealed the child inside her. Parvati refused to take the foetus in the form of a vanara to Kailasha. As Shiva had instructed, Parvati offered the child to Vayu, who transferred it to Anjana's womb, who gave birth to Hanuman.
Later life Kesari, Anjana and child Hanuman moved to Kishkindha on the request of its king Riksharaja, father of Vali and Sugriva. Kesari became his Chief Commander alongside ruling the Mount Meru. He was a respected personality and was honoured by all Vanaras and was a friend of Brahma’s son Jamvanta, the king of bears.
Later in his life, he fought alongside the Vanara Army of Lord Rama against Lankesh Ravana to rescue Devi Sita and slew many powerful demons.
In popular culture Year Name Played by Channel Country 1997 Jai Hanuman Deepak Jethi DD Metro India 2015 Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman Gagan KangSony Entertainment Television India 2024 Shrimad Ramayan Jameel ChaudharySony Entertainment Television India
References
External links Birth of Hanuman Story