Speak Like Hanuman: The Lost Art of Thoughtful Speech

In an age of instant messages and impulsive opinions, the ability to speak thoughtfully has become rare—and invaluable. Long before modern self-help manuals, Hanuman demonstrated how words, chosen with care, can win trust and forge alliances.

Hanuman’s Mastery of Speech

Hanuman first appears in the Kishkindha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, where the Adi Kavi describes him as vakya-kovidah—one proficient in speech. Other epithets reinforce this image: vakyajna (knower of words) and vakyakushala (skilled in expression).

Interestingly, his physical prowess is revealed only later. Before we see the mighty leap to Lanka or the carrying of a mountain to save Lakshmana, we encounter a different strength—his command over language.

Before becoming Rama’s emissary, Hanuman served as Sugriva’s envoy. Sugriva, wary and exiled, suspected that the two unknown visitors—Rama and Lakshmana—might be agents of his enemy Vali. Hanuman was sent to assess them and report back.

But Hanuman did far more than gather intelligence. Through thoughtful and measured speech, he won their trust and persuaded them to form an alliance with Sugriva—a decisive and mutually beneficial partnership.

(Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana to Rishyamuka: Kalighat painting)

Why Rama Trusted Hanuman

Rama was no novice. As the crown prince of Ayodhya, he had been trained to judge character and intent. Yet Hanuman’s words impressed him deeply.

Hanuman spoke; Rama weighed every word—and found them worthy of trust.

After Hanuman’s address, Rama pointed out to Lakshmana the qualities that distinguished Hanuman’s speech: not a single misplaced or inappropriate word, precision without verbosity, clarity without ambiguity, fluent, delivered in a calm, modulated tone, and perfect harmony between speech and body language—expression, gaze, and gesture.

Such eloquence, Rama observed, could only come from one deeply grounded in knowledge of the Vedas, grammar, and the fine art of diplomacy.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance

These principles sound strikingly modern.

The lesson is timeless: words, when used thoughtfully, build trust; when used carelessly, they erode it.

One is reminded how easily public figures today undermine trust through careless or contradictory speech. The contrast with Hanuman’s measured words is stark.

The Power of Words

Words are more powerful than warheads. Missiles can be intercepted; words, once spoken, cannot be recalled. They can ignite conflicts—or resolve them.

Think before you speak.
Choose your words with care.

Didn't Kabir, the saint poet, counsel one and all to use words to heal, not to hurt?

शब्द सम्हारे बोलिए, शब्द के हाथ न पाँव। 

एक शब्द औषधि करे, एक शब्द करे घाव।। 

And when words do not serve a purpose, silence is often the wiser choice.

A Head of State recently admonished a very powerful ally for the latter's frivolous, flippant use of words:

“You have to be serious. When you want to be serious, you don’t go around saying the opposite every day of what you just said the day before. And perhaps you shouldn’t talk every day.”

Build Bridges

Speak less, but speak better.

Like Hanuman, let our words build bridges, not burn them.

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For readers who might be interested, here is a link for a previous blog: Hanuman's Multilinguism:

https://www.pkdash.in/2025/04/hanumans-multilingualism.html

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