The Oshadhi Parvata, the Mountain of Healing Herbs, is a sacred peak in the Himālaya, between the peaks of Kailāsa and Ṛshabha. Four divine oshadhis (healing herbs) of great power grow there: Mṛtasañjīvanī, Viśalyakaraṇī, Sauvarṇakaraṇī and Saṃdhānakaraṇī. The mountain is best known for the two journeys of Hanumān to bring these herbs during the war at Laṅkā. The herbs revived Śrī Rāma, Lakshmaṇa and hundreds of fallen vānara warriors at the hardest moments of the war.

Location and nature

The Yuddha Kāṇḍa describes the Oshadhi Parvata as a shining mountain in the Himālaya, between the peaks of Kailāsa and Ṛshabha. The four herbs on its slopes glow with their own light, so they can be seen in the dark as a shimmer of divine power.

Jāmbavān knew this mountain and sent Hanumān to it. He was the most ancient being in Sugrīva’s army, and his knowledge reached across the yugas.

The source for this section is the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter 87.

The four oshadhis

Jāmbavān named the four herbs that grow on the Oshadhi Parvata:

Mṛtasañjīvanī is the herb that revives even those who have died. Its power is enough to give life back to the slain.
Viśalyakaraṇī is the herb that removes all wounds made by weapons. It closes gashes and heals hurts that would otherwise be fatal.
Sauvarṇakaraṇī is the herb that gives back the original colour, health and strength of a being after a severe blow.
Saṃdhānakaraṇī is the herb that joins severed limbs and broken bones and makes the body whole again.

The source for this section is the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter 87.

Hanumān’s two journeys

Indrajit bound Rāma and Lakshmaṇa with the brahmāstra (the weapon of Brahmā), and they lay lifeless on the battlefield. Then Jāmbavān sent Hanumān to the Oshadhi Parvata. Hanumān crossed the whole breadth of the land at a speed beyond understanding and reached the Himālaya. He found the mountain, but the herbs hid themselves from him by māyā (illusion) and would not let themselves be picked out one by one. Hanumān did not go back empty-handed. He pulled up the whole mountain and carried it to Laṅkā.

As he set the mountain down, the fragrance of the oshadhis drifted through the night air and began to revive the fallen vānaras across the whole battlefield. Then Sushena, the vaidya (physician) of the army, picked out the right herbs and applied them. Rāma, Lakshmaṇa and the wounded warriors were revived. When the healing was done, Hanumān took the mountain back to its place in the Himālaya.

The source for this account is the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter 88.

A second journey came in the last part of the war. Rāvaṇa’s śakti-astra (spear weapon) struck Lakshmaṇa, and he fell near death. This time Sushena told Hanumān to bring the Viśalyakaraṇī in particular. Hanumān made the journey again and brought the herb before Rāvaṇa could press his advantage. Sushena gave it to Lakshmaṇa, and Lakshmaṇa rose fully healed.

The source for this account is the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter 102.

The full account of these journeys is told in the narrative of Hanumān’s herb journey (Hanumān Oshadhi Yātrā).

Sources

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapters 87–88, 102