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According to the dictionary, the word वानर has multiple meanings. One among them is Monkey.

But others include ape, Monkey-like etc.,

Hanuman, Sugreeva etc., are said to be of Vanara race.

In this context, are there any scriptural statements supporting that Vanara is different from Monkey?

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    it could also be said that early tribal people living primitively were viewed as such. – Swami Vishwananda Jul 14 '20 at 6:45
  • Seems like scientific speculation. You are comparing vanaras from Ramayana with modern monkeys. – sv. Jul 14 '20 at 18:05
  • @sv. I am not comparing, translations contain the word money for the word वानर. But according to the dictionary, there are several meanings. So I am asking for scriptural statements that may support non-monkey translation. – hanugm Jul 14 '20 at 18:20
  • Are you looking for verses that use 'vanara' to mean a normal monkey and not the vanara race (Hanuman, Sugriva, etc.)? Then you need to change the title to: "Scriptural statements where 'vanara' is used for normal monkey and not the vanara race" – sv. Jul 14 '20 at 18:26
  • @sv. Im looking the reverse. I want to know whether vanara race can be edifferent from monkeys. – hanugm Jul 14 '20 at 18:28
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Vanara although popularly translated as monkey can not possibly be monkey.

When the vimana touched down, Bharata, for whom truth was his valour, happily approached Rama and greeted him again. Kakustha had seen him after a long time. Full of joy, he made Bharata rise, embraced him and placed him on his lap. The scorcher of enemies, Bharata, then happily approached Lakshmana and Vaidehi, greeted them and announced his name. Kaikeyee's son also embraced Sugriva, Jambavat, Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila and Rishava. The apes, who could assume any form at will, assumed human forms.

Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Chapter 6(115) translated by Bibek Debroy

No monkey that is currently known to man is capable of changing his form.

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  • Not sure how this answers the question. OP's looking for verses from scripture where 'vanara' is used as an adjective but not directly referring to a monkey or ape. – sv. Jul 15 '20 at 17:20
  • The questioner has commented that 'I want to know whether vanara race can be different from monkeys. – hanugm yesterday ' What I have quoted supports the idea that the vanara race is different from monkeys. – Pradip Gangopadhyay Jul 16 '20 at 4:00

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