Who was the physician of the vanara army?

Sushena was the physician of the vanara army in the Ramayana.

He was a senior vanara leader associated with Sugriva’s forces during the campaign against Ravana. His most famous service came after Lakshmana was struck down by a powerful weapon during the battle in Lanka. Sushena examined the wounded prince and identified the need for rare healing herbs from a northern mountain.

Hanuman was sent to obtain the medicine. Unable to distinguish the correct plants, he carried the entire mountain back to Lanka. Sushena then prepared and administered the healing remedy, helping restore Lakshmana. The episode is closely connected with the later popular tradition of the Sanjeevani herb, although different Ramayana versions name and describe the herbs in varying ways.

Some retellings create confusion by calling Sushena the physician of Lanka or by emphasizing his connection with Ravana’s kingdom. In the Valmiki-based narrative, however, the physician serving Rama’s vanara forces is Sushena. Jambavan was a veteran leader who urged Hanuman to remember his powers, Nala was famed as an engineer and bridge-builder, and Vibhishana was Ravana’s brother who joined Rama. Their roles are distinct from Sushena’s medical expertise.