The Story of Hanuman's Attempt to Swallow the Sun

 

Birth of Hanuman

Long ago, the celestial nymph Anjana was born on Earth due to a divine destiny. She married the mighty monkey king Kesari. By the grace of Lord Shiva, a divine child was born to them. This child was named Anjaneya, who later became famous as Hanuman.

After Hanuman's birth, Anjana's time on Earth came to an end, and she prepared to return to heaven.

Anjana's Farewell Advice

Seeing his mother about to leave, young Anjaneya became sorrowful.

"Mother, how will I live without you? Who will take care of me when I am hungry?" he asked.

Anjana lovingly reassured her son, saying, "Do not worry. The gods will always protect you. Whenever you feel hungry, you can eat fruits that are as red and ripe as the rising sun."

After blessing and kissing her son, Anjana departed for heaven.

Hanuman Mistakes the Sun for a Fruit

The curious child began thinking about his mother's words.

"Fruits as red and ripe as the sun? Then perhaps the sun itself is a delicious fruit!" he thought.

Filled with excitement and innocence, Hanuman decided to catch and taste the glowing red orb in the sky. Being a divine incarnation of Lord Shiva, he possessed extraordinary powers even as a child.

With a mighty leap, he soared into the heavens toward the Sun.

The Sun God Becomes Alarmed

As Hanuman approached, the Sun God, Surya, noticed a giant monkey flying directly toward him. The child grew larger and larger as he neared.

Surya was astonished because the intense heat and blazing rays that could destroy any mortal had no effect on Hanuman.

Frightened by the unusual sight, Surya called out for help.

"Lord Indra, please save me!" he cried.

Indra Investigates the Situation

Hearing Surya's plea, Indra, the king of the gods, was puzzled.

"Why would the mighty Sun God need assistance?" he wondered.

Mounted on his majestic white elephant Airavata, Indra quickly traveled to the heavens to discover the cause of Surya's distress.

Soon, he found a giant monkey racing toward the Sun.

Hanuman Explains His Mission

Indra stopped the young monkey and asked, "Who are you, and why are you chasing the Sun?"

The child replied innocently, "I am Anjaneya, the son of Kesari and Anjana. My mother told me that red, ripe fruits would be my food. The Sun looks like the biggest and ripest fruit, so I want to eat it."

Amused by the child's innocence, Indra explained, "The Sun is not a fruit. He is the source of light and life for the entire world. You must return to Earth."

Hanuman Refuses to Turn Back

Despite Indra's advice, Hanuman remained determined. He ignored the warning and continued moving toward the Sun.

Indra repeatedly ordered him to stop, but the playful child paid no attention.

As Hanuman continued his pursuit, Indra became increasingly angry.

Indra Uses the Vajra

Finally, Indra raised his powerful thunderbolt weapon, the Vajra, and hurled it at Hanuman.

The weapon struck the child on his jaw, causing a severe injury. Hanuman immediately lost control and began falling back toward Earth.

As he descended, his gigantic form gradually shrank until he became a small monkey child once again.

The Origin of the Name Hanuman

The blow from Indra's Vajra injured Hanuman's chin and caused it to swell. According to tradition, the name "Hanuman" is derived from the Sanskrit word Hanu, meaning "jaw" or "chin."

This remarkable childhood episode became one of the most famous stories from Hanuman's life, showcasing his immense divine power, boundless courage, and innocent devotion.

Moral of the Story

The story of Hanuman's attempt to swallow the Sun teaches us about innocence, courage, and the extraordinary potential hidden within divine beings. It also reminds us that great power should be guided by wisdom and understanding. Even as a child, Hanuman displayed fearlessness and determination, qualities that later made him one of the greatest devotees of Lord Rama.