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We know that Hanuman is a great devotee and follower of Lord Rama in Treta Yuga.
But my doubt is, did he meet Krishna?
Is it explicitly mentioned anywhere in Vyasa's Mahabharat or some other Hindu text that Hanuman and Krishna met each other? If true, then what exactly happened during their meeting?
Did Hanuman and Krishna ever meet with each other?As I discuss in this answer, this episode occurs in the Sarga Eighteenth of the Manohara kāṇḍa of the Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa.
The basic premise of the story is to elucidate on the 'origin of Arjuna's Monkey-bannered flag', and thus why Arjuna is also known as Kapi-dhvaja.
This meeting occurs between Arjuna, Hanumāna, and Kṛṣna, in the Rāmeśvaram in the Dvāpara-yuga before the Mahābhārata war.
Here's a small Sanskrit excerpt from the 18th Sarga, which describe the meeting:-
Sarga Eighteen, Manohara kāṇḍa, Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa
चक्रं ययौ यथास्थानं श्रीकृष्णस्याज्ञया तदा । सागरेण स्वकल्लोलः शरसेत विलोपितः ॥४१॥ तदाऽर्जुनो गर्वहीनो मेने कृष्णेन जीवितः । कृष्णस्तदाऽर्जुनं प्राह त्वया रामेण स्पर्द्धितम् ।।४२।। हनूमता धनुर्विद्या तबातोऽत्र मृषा कृता । यत्प्रतापादिति गिरा त्वयाऽपि वायुनन्दन । ४३|| रामेण स्पर्धितं यस्मात्तस्मादर्जुन संजितः । अतः परं वीतगर्वस्त्वं मां मज निरन्तरम् ॥४४॥ इत्युक्त्वा मारुतिं पृष्ट्वाऽर्जुनेन तत्पुरं ययो । अतः कपिध्वजश्चति जनैरर्जुन ईर्यते ॥४५।।
- Thus as per the order of Śrī Kṛṣṇa the Chakra (Sudarśana-chakra) stopped supporting the Arjuna's 'arrow-made bridge', following which even the bridge collapsed back into the sea.
- And thus, Arjuna's ego was annihilated, and Arjuna, therefore, realized how Śrī Kṛṣṇa saved Arjuna's life (by intervening in the bet between him and Hanumān ji).
- Śrī Kṛṣṇa thus explained, to Arjuna that since he in his ego dared to compare himself with Śrī Rāma, therefore Hanumāna voided his dhanur-vidyā (archery-skills). Similarly, he explained to Hanumāna that since Hanumāna boasted about helping Śrī Rāma - thus he was defeated by Arjuna (in his second attempt).
- & 45. And thus, losing, wager to Arjuna (with Kṛṣna's apt intervention though), Hanumāna occupied Arjuna's flag, and thus Arjuna came to be known as kapi-dhvaja (Monkey-Bannered).
The complete story may be read from the linked answer above in this question
It is doubtful if Sri Krishna and Sri Hanuman had ever met, as per Mahabharata.
Varuna gave Arjuna the great bow Gaandiva and a Chariot, whose banner is a large ape, before the commencement of Khandava Vana dahana.
Varuna replied unto Pavaka, saying, 'Well, I am giving them.'
He then gave that wonderful jewel of a bow that was endued with great energy. That bow was the enhancer of fame and achievements, and was incapable of being injured by any weapon. It was the chief of all weapons, and the grinder of them all. And it was the smiter of hostile armies and was alone equal to a hundred thousand bows. It was the multiplier of kingdoms, and was variegated with excellent colours. It was well-adorned, and beautiful to behold, and without a mark of weakness or injury anywhere. And it was always worshipped both by the celestials and the Gandharvas.
Varuna also gave two inexhaustible quivers, and he also gave a car furnished with celestial weapons and whose banner bore a large ape.
Arjuna might have used the same chariot with a large ape on the Flag, during the Mahabharata war also. Arjuna might be using those Gandiva and that Chariot ever since, till Agni asked him to return to Varuna, after the departure of Sri Krishna.
