Who Would Win In A Battle Between Hanuman And Superman?

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Inspired from the answers on this Quora thread.

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Forget Superman, all of the Avengers, Thanos, and Justice League cannot defeat Hanuman if they joined forces.

The Sanskrit epics of India seem to be losing their touch with the modern youth in India itself.

With these epics diluted by the numerous translations and interpretations, the enormity of them escapes us today.

 

When we watch the superhero movies of Hollywood, we marvel at their strength and powers, just because it is presented in a very glitzy way.

Yes, their powers are impressive, but if we go by just canon, our characters from Mahabharata and Ramayana far outstretch them by eons.

One such question made its way to Quora where a person asked the question –

 

Who would win in a battle between Hanuman and Superman?

Now, this question has been probably asked after he/she has seen Man of Steel or Superman Returns and has visually seen the powers of Superman on screen.

 

Just because our epics have not been translated into cutting edge CGI, we do not see them in a flashy way in our heads. And hence, Superman, with his CGI stunts seems cooler in our head.

But, just for arguments sake, let us actually take a crack at this question – just like the educated and wise people on Quora have –

Atul Amate’s answer was a fairly logical and an objective one –

 

He first postulated that Hanuman has boons given to him by Brahma, Vishwakarma, and Yama – the god of death

Brahma said that nobody would be able to kill Hanuman with any weapon in a war.
Vishwakarma blessed him with invulnerability too
Yama blessed him with immortality.

 

That by itself should make Hanuman victorious in any battle, but the author put forth Superman’s powers too.

Which are incredible.

 

But then Hanuman loves to eat the sun, which is the energy source of Superman.

An excellent answer, presented logically, giving both the sides considerations

Then there was Brijesh Chandrakar’s answer who gave a very brilliant answer, keeping in mind the Sanskrit texts in which Hanuman’s powers are described –

Hanuman is in possession of 8 siddhis (powers) that make him invulnerable

1. Aṇimā: Ability to reduce one’s size
2. Mahima: Ability to increase one’s size
3. Garima: Ability to increase one’s weight infinitely
4. Laghima: Ability to become lighter than the lightest
5. Prāpti: Ability to Obtain anything
6. Prākāmya: Ability to acquire anything desired
7. Iṣiṭva: Lordship over creation
8. Vaśitva: Having control over things

 

He doesn’t really need to fight because of the 6th siddhi.

He can literally acquire anything he wants. I bet, if everything fails, he can always obtain a lot of Kryptonite.

 

The problem lies with today’s world in dismissing the Hindu epics as just that – epics.

Even if they are completely fictional, you cannot ignore the enormity of the scale of powers our heroes had.

 

For example, Ravana rode a chariot that was as big as a city. Now imagine a city as big as Mumbai, flying in the air coming at you

There are other powers mentioned that are completely impressive.

 

But just because we haven’t portrayed them in a snazzy CGI movie, and because our Indian film industry has made no efforts to make it look impressive, doesn’t mean that Hanumanji can be compared to a comic book hero.

Whose powers change with every writer, every edition.

Millions of Indians dispel their fears with a small booklet with a picture of Hanuman on it, and a prayer to him in it.

That’s the amount of power his image has.

The day millions of people keep a picture of Superman in their pockets to dispel their fear of ghosts while walking through a dark alley, we will make this a competition to be considered.

Cover Image Source 1, 2.