But in Ramayana, the description of the monkeys is not given like ordinary monkeys; they had great skills, both physically and intellectually, better than humans. The Vedic wisdom of Sri Hanuman is lauded by Sri Rama Himself.
Even Jambavan, Sampathi, Vali, Tara seem to be evolved beings, many ways better than humans. According to Valmiki, it is described that they are of Deva origins by birth, born for the service of Sri Rama. So, where is the evolution of monkeys to humans in Ramayana?
As I read Balakanda, 17th sarga of Valmiki, the birth of this monkey group is vividly given. Also, in Kishkindha Kandam, very vividly, the discussion between Sugriva and Hanuman expresses their alertness and thoughtfulness. In Vali Vada, the argument of Vali makes it clear that they go on par with a dharmic human standard. They are not ordinary monkeys. So, how did the evolution from an ordinary monkey to a human occur? You mean to say only the physical evolution of monkeys to human form?
The Vanara was a stage of evolution from the Apes to Man. Of course, they were not just monkeys but a kind of prototype humanity living in the forests who probably used animal-like clothing as humanity at that stage did to avoid the dangers. Besides, many stories in the Ramayana are clearly symbolic that convey profound and beautiful truths in a language that will appeal to a simple, childlike humanity. There is no other way that we can explain the stories of the Ramayana as well as the Bhagawatam to today’s humanity that has outgrown its infancy and gone through the rational curve. To take these stories literally is not only to create a disconnect with the present-day humanity but, even more importantly, to miss the deeper truth in them.
As to the special characters such as Sampati, Jambvan, Sugriva, Tara, etc. that you mention, they were clearly not belonging to the average humanity or protohumanity of that time. The average human being was as undeveloped as the washerman of Ayodhya, who believed in abandoning the wife if she stayed in captivity or to let her walk on fire. Lord Rama was born amidst such types and had to change them by, first, accepting their state as all Avatars do. When the Avatar comes, there are always beings from the higher dimensions, the gods, who accompany him for the Lila. For example, we know that Hanuman ji is the ansa of Shiva, Jambawan is the ansa of Brahma, Jatayu is the ansa of Aruna. So too the gopas and gopis, and the Pandavas themselves were partial manifestations of different gods. These are called as involutionary beings. Sri Aurobindo also describes some of them who came with him for this, work. Swami Vivekananda was another involuntary being who came to help. The presence of such beings and the Avatar himself gives the evolutionary boost to the average humanity of that time. For when they see someone like them scaling the heights of new possibilities, they feel inclined and inspired to follow.
Physical form is secondary. It is the inner change from a monkey-type restless humanity to a more illumined sattwic human is what is intended during the times of Lord Rama.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
(Follow-up Question:)
“बुद्धि विज्ञान संपन्न इङ्गितैः सर्वम् आचर | न हि अबुद्धिम् गतो राजा सर्व भूतानि शास्ति हि”
This sloka refers to Hanuman addressing Sugriva as Wise, Intelligent, reading the minds of others, so they are not mere monkeys.
No, they were involutionary beings as noted above.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
