HANUMAN The monkey god of Hindu mythology, he leapt across the sea to Sri Lanka, there to do battle with Ravana, but a female demon named Surasa tried to swallow him. Hanuman distended his body, forcing Surasa to grossly elongate her mouth, then he suddenly shrunk to the size of a thumb, shot through her head, and emerged from her right ear. Landing safely on the island, he dealt the forces of Ravana a mortal blow, and burned down the city there. For his services Rama awarded Hanuman the gift of perpetual life and youth.