- Source: Macchanu
Macchanu (Sanskrit: मकरध्वज:), (Khmer: មច្ឆានុប; RTGS: Macchanub); (Thai: มัจฉานุ; RTGS: Matchanu) is the son of Hanuman that appears in the
Khmer version of the story and other versions of the Ramayana.
As per these versions of Ramayana, during one of the battles with Ravana's army, Hanuman encounters one powerful opponent, who looked like vanara from waist-up but had tail of a fish. After a fierce battle, as Hanuman was about to hit the creature with his weapons, a golden star shining in the sky above, reveals by way of aakashwani that the enemy, whom he is going to harm is his own son born by his union with Sovann Maccha, the mermaid daughter of Ravana. Hanuman, immediately holds his weapons in mid-air and father-son duo recognize each other.
Another version of story tells, while following Maiyarab in order to find Rama and Laxmana, who have been abducted by Maiyarab and taken to his kingdom in netherworld, Hanuman reaches a pond, where he encounters Macchanu. The fight between them is indecisive, therefore, Hanuman is surprised and asks his opponent, who is he. Macchanu introduces himself as son of Hanuman and Sovann Maccha and so they finally identify and embrace each other. He tells Hanuman that Maiyarab is his foster father, who had picked him up lying on sea shore, where his mother had left him. Although, he does not want to betray Maiyarab but tells Hanuman through a riddle the entrance to the netherworld lies inside the lotus in the pond he was guarding.
See also
Makardhwaja - the son of Hanuman, as per Indian version of Ramayana, where Hanuman is a celibate.