Kamban conferred the title of sollin selvan (Master of words) upon Hanuman in his Ramayanam. Hanuman’s eloquence is like a rare jewel. Valmiki’s work also pays tribute to Hanuman’s way with words.

There are two occasions when Hanuman lives up to his title, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. When Sugriva despatches Hanuman as his emissary to Rama and Lakshmana who have arrived near the Rushyamukha mountain in their search for Sita, Hanuman takes the form of a mendicant and addresses them. “How is it that you, with your brilliant complexion like that of royal sages or gods, are appearing like ascetics with matted hair? With bows in your hands that look like Indra’s bow, you dazzle with your splendour and beauty. How did you, who deserve to rule a kingdom and are comparable to gods, come to this place?”

Impressed with his speech and astuteness in sizing them up, Rama tells Lakshmana that Hanuman knows the nuances of speech and adds that only a man who has undergone the discipline needed to learn the Rig Veda, the memory power to master the Yajur Veda, and proficiency in proper recitation of the Sama Veda could speak that eloquently. He also marvels at the measured delivery by Hanuman, which while delivered at the correct cadence, does not in any way distract from the beauty of the speech.

The other occasion when Hanuman’s eloquence came to the fore is when Sita was in the depths of despair while being held captive in Ashok Vanam by Ravana. He gently introduces himself by reciting life events from Ayodhya in a manner that convinces her that he is there to help. Hanuman offers to carry her away on his shoulders, saying he had already carried Rama, who is like a father figure to him, on his shoulders at the Rushyamukha mountain. He says he was offering the same service to Sita, who is like a mother to him. However, Sita turns down the offer reasoning that if she were to do so, everyone would hail Sita as a great fighter, diminishing Rama’s valour and more importantly, his dharmic principles. As a talented speaker himself, Hanuman is impressed by her words.