Shree Hanuman’s Quest for Knowledge

Based on a story from the Shiva Purana

Long ago, in the vast and ancient forest surrounding the kingdom of
Kishkindha, there lived a tribe called the Vanaras-intelligent beings with
the faces and tails of monkeys. The Vanaras were created by Lord Brahma
to support the forces of light in the epic battle narrated in the scriptural
classic, the Ramayana. Lord Shiva himself came to earth as the greatest of
the Vanaras, Shri Hanuman, who was destined to play a significant role
in this battle.
When Hanuman was still a young child, he was granted immense powers
by the gods. From his protector, Vayu, lord of the wind, Shri Hanuman
received the ability to travel anywhere; from Brahma, lord of creation, the
power to change his shape at will; and from Vishnu, the lord who sustains
the universe, the gift of devotion. Surya Devata, lord of the sun and keeper
of knowledge, promised that when the right time came, he would teach
Shri Hanuman.
Because he was a divine being, Shri Hanuman grew very quickly. His
childhood passed by in a flash. It seemed to his mother, Anjana, that in
one moment Hanuman was a baby and in the next he was fully grown—
strong as a herd of elephants and swift as the wind.
"What shall we do about Hanuman's education?” Anjana asked her
husband, Kesari. “He needs to learn the Vedas, and all the sciences that
support these holy scriptures. He grew so fast, there was no time for his
schooling!"
"Yes,” Kesari agreed. “Hanuman will be prepared to use his great powers
with wisdom and discernment only after he has absorbed this timeless
knowledge.”
"But who can we find to teach him?"

"We need look no farther than the one who shines on us every day," Kesari
said, adding, “Remember, Surya Devata offered to teach Hanuman."
"Lord Surya would be a wonderful teacher for our son," Anjana said,
“though he is so very far away." She knew, however, that she had to let
her son leave the safety of home for the sake of his own development, and
so Anjana went to tell him of these new plans for him.
The often mischievous and active Hanuman was in this moment sitting
on a large rock, beside a stream, deep in thought.

"Hanuman,” Anjana said, “your father and I think it is time for you to
begin your studies. Your body is grown now, and it is time for you to
discipline your mind through study of the sacred scriptures."
"Thank you, Mother,” Hanuman said. “I have a deep yearning for
scriptural knowledge. Who will be my teacher?"
"Surya Devata,” Anjana said with great satisfaction. “He represents the
light that is in us all. Lord Surya is a symbol for the light of the Truth,
which we

know as the Supreme Self. Tomorrow, you may go to the Lord of the Sun
and humbly ask if he will accept you as his student."
"I would be deeply honoured to study with Lord Surya," Hanuman said,
looking above the western horizon, where Surya Devata was just then
painting the sky in vivid shades of red, orange, and gold. “But how will I
ever reach him?"
Anjana smiled. “Dear Hanuman,” she said, “have you forgotten who you
truly are?" Placing her hands on his shoulders, she told him, “You are a
divine being. You are blessed by the gods. You have the speed of wind
and the power to change your form at will. If you have faith in yourself,
Hanuman, you can achieve anything."
Shri Hanuman nodded and, folding his hands together, he bowed to the
glorious setting sun.
The following morning, the young Vanara rose before dawn, eager to
reach his celestial teacher and begin his studies. Shri Hanuman walked
outside, into the still air, and faced the east, where a faint light glowed on
the horizon. He formed his intention to reach Surya Devata and, breathing
in deeply, Hanuman grew taller than the tallest tree in the forest and leapt
into the sky.

Shri Hanuman flew faster than thought, like a glowing comet in the pre-
dawn sky. As the Earth receded behind him, he cast one look back and
gasped in wonder: Earth looked like a shining blue jewel in the sky's
infinite darkness.
Shri Hanuman turned back to his goal—and within moments he was in
the magnificent presence of Lord Surya.
Surya Devata was traveling through heaven in his glorious chariot of light.
This wondrous vehicle, inlaid with thousands of sparkling gemstones,
was pulled by seven white horses. As these magnificent steeds galloped
through the air, sparks of light flashed from their manes, sending out
rainbows in all directions. Yet the radiant face of Surya Devata was so
dazzling that the many lights around him were dimmed by comparison.
Entranced and awed, Shri Hanuman aligned himself with Lord Surya's
movement so that he could fly along beside his chariot.
“Greetings, Lord of Light, keeper of knowledge, self-illumining one,"
Hanuman said, his hands folded on his chest and his head bowed. Please
accept me as your student and light up my soul with your divine wisdom.”

"Hanuman," Surya Devata said, “I am happy to see you again. You have
grown in grace and speed since we last met. I would be delighted to accept
you as my student.” He paused. “But how can I possibly teach you? As
you can see, I am never still. I must move through the heavens constantly,
radiating life-giving light. I can never remain in one place."
"Dear Lord, I understand that it is your dharma to perpetually move
through the heavens, and I will always be grateful for your life-giving
light. If you will agree to teach me, I will move through the sky with you,
catching every precious word you utter."

Lord Surya smiled. “You have splendid enthusiasm," he said, "and this is
important for a student of scripture. If, however, you are to learn the
sacred mantras of the Vedas, you will need to face the one who teaches
you at all times."
"Then I will move backward,” Shri Hanuman said, darting to a spot in
front of the chariot and turning around to face his teacher. "I will take my
direction from you," Hanuman continued, "keeping your radiant face
always before
mine."

Lord Surya was impressed with Hanuman's commitment and zeal. "Very
well then," he said, “let us begin."
Surya Devata recited the whole of the four sacred Vedas along with the
six explanatory scriptures. Day after day, circling the Earth while moving
backward and looking into his teacher's eyes, Shri Hanuman absorbed
every precious word into himself. He was aware of nothing but the
resplendent light of Surya Devata, which saturated him and nourished
every fibre of his being. The golden verses and mantras of the Vedas
bloomed within the student, like flowers of Truth.

When Surya Devata had completed his recitation, he asked his student to
repeat what he had learned. Shri Hanuman recited flawlessly every
mantra, every verse of all four Vedas and the six shastras. Just by hearing
it once, he had learned it all by heart!
"You have listened carefully," Surya Devata told his student. "You have
absorbed my every word."
He paused. “Know this, Hanuman: You have always held this wisdom
within you. What I gave you served as a key to open the door to your own
wisdom.

You will always have access to that wisdom now. It is time to return to
your home and reflect on all you have learned."
Overcome with gratitude, Shri Hanuman folded his hands over his heart
and bowed low before his teacher. “Lord Surya, just as you bring the light
of day wherever you shine your radiant face, you have filled my heart
and mind with the light of Self-knowledge. As I leave you, what offering
can I make to express my gratitude?"
"I thank you for your words of gratitude," Surya Devata said with a smile.
"Your steadfastness and dedication were my reward for teaching you."

Shri Hanuman bowed once again, yet he persisted. “Dear Lord, I ask to
make an offering to you, not for your sake. There is nothing you need; I
know this. I ask for my own sake. What you have given me is so precious
that I feel I must offer something to you in return.
Pleased with his student once again, Lord Surya looked at him
thoughtfully. "Hanuman, I will, indeed, ask something of you."
"Please do, Lord Surya," Hanuman said, coming closer in his eagerness to
hear. "Please let me know what I can do."

"Go to my son, the Vanaras' Prince Sugriva. Become his companion and
counsellor. I will be greatly pleased with this service from you."
Shri Hanuman's eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "I will gladly serve
Prince Sugriva. I know that in serving him, I am fulfilling your wish.
Thank you, Lord.”
Shri Hanuman bowed once again and then, pivoting, flew fast as light
back to the shining blue planet that is Earth. And so began his journey to
Prince Sugriva, which, in turn would lead him to meet Lord Rama and to
fulfil his noble destiny.

Shri Shiva Purana is one of India's revered scriptural texts, a vast

compendium of sacred stories, philosophical teachings, hymns, and
guidance on how to live a virtuous life. The earliest versions are thought
to have been compiled and recorded around the 6th century CE, though
the stories themselves describe events thought to have occurred
thousands of years before.