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Vānara ((サンスクリット:वानर)) refers to a group of people living in forests〔(Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary p. 940 )〕〔(Apte Sanskrit Dictionary ) search ''vaanara''〕 in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'' and its various versions. In ''Ramayana'', the Vanaras help Rama defeat Ravana. In Ramayana, it says Indrajit killed 670 million Vanara's in a single day, nearly exterminated the entire half man-half monkey race. == Identification == There are three main theories about the etymology of the word "Vanara": * It derives from the word ''vana'' ("forest"), and means "belonging to the forest" or "forest-dwelling".〔 * It derives from the words ''vana'' ("forest") and ''nara'' ("man"), thus meaning "forest man". * It derives from the words ''vav'' and ''nara'', meaning "is it a man?" or "perhaps he is man". Although the word Vanara has come to mean "monkey" over the years and the Vanaras are depicted as monkeys in the popular art, their exact identity is not clear.〔 Unlike other exotic creatures such as the rakshasas, the Vanaras do not have a precursor in the Vedic literature. The ''Ramayana'' presents them as humans with reference to their speech, clothing, habitations, funerals, consecrations etc. It also describes their monkey-like characteristics such as their leaping, hair, fur and a tail. According to one theory, the Vanaras are strictly mythological creatures. This is based on their supernatural abilities, as well as descriptions of Brahma commanding other deities to either bear Vanara offspring or incarnate as Vanaras to help Rama in his mission.〔 The Jain re-tellings of Ramayana describe them as a clan of the supernatural beings called the Vidyadharas; the flag of this clan bears monkeys as emblems. Another theory identifies the Vanaras with the tribal people, who dwelled in the forests and used monkey totems.〔 G. Ramdas, based on Ravana's reference to the Vanaras' tail as an ornament, infers that the "tail" was actually an appendage in the dress worn by the men of the Savara tribe.〔 (The female Vanaras are not described as having a tail.) According to this theory, the non-human characteristics of the Vanaras may be considered artistic imagination. In Sri Lanka, the word "Vanara" has been used to describe the Nittaewos mentioned in the Vedda legends. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Vanara」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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