Jaya Guru Datta

On the sixth day after his birth i.e. on the New-moon day, around dawn Hanuman began to wail loudly as he was hungry. It was a day of solar eclipse and hence all the saints were engrossed in worshipping the Sun-god. Desirous of fetching a fruit for her son, Mother Anjana went into the forest. Just then the little Hanuman saw the rising Sun and peered at it curiously fascinated by it.

Even we are tempted to hold the rising Sun. Its indescribable beauty enchants us. On the silver clouds, its golden rays dazzle enlivening the entire space with varied hues. It is the same with the setting Sun. Although sunset is a bit more intense than sunrise, it is nevertheless breath-taking.

Hanuman who was wailing loudly spotted the rising Sun and presuming it to be a fruit, leapt into the skies without a second thought. This boy, who was born with the divine radiance of all the Devatas, had in him many miraculous energies. As he was the embodiment of all Gods, his energies were incomparable. He cut through the sphere of wind and travelled into deep space quickly approaching the Sun.

Have we ever heard of anyone travelling towards the Sun? Although there are claims that they seek to travel towards the Sun, it is not possible. They will be burnt totally.

As it was the time of the eclipse, Planet Rahu was travelling towards the Sun to gulp it down. He was astounded to see a baby vānara flying towards the Sun at speeds faster than him. He thought, ‘Today is my day. I am supposed to envelop the Sun and cast my shadow on it. Who is this racing ahead of me?’

When it is said that Rahu eats up the Sun, we presume that Sun is his breakfast for the day. We do not seek to understand the symbolism contained in this.

Jaya Guru Datta