Hanuman (Anjaneya) was supremely knowledgeable (great Jnani), not a foolish person like us. He was adept in the knowledge of whom to ask, when to ask and how to ask.

One must know what to speak and how much to speak according to the situation. In addition, speech must be grammatically correct. Only Hanuman is adept in this skill. His humility, politeness, knowledge, ability to speak sweet words, made him great!

Why would he want to ask a demoness the whereabouts of Mother Goddess?? Secondly, he wanted an opportunity to meet and bless Vishnu Bhakta Vibhishana. If he had asked Demoness Lankini about Sita Mata, how would he have created an opportunity to meet and bless Vibhishana?

Mahatmas know how to bless, whom and when to bless. Their actions are not like ours. We can think only at our level, at a human level.

Hanuman had to discover the might of Ravana. If not for his one blunder, Ravana was considered to be as great as Rama, he was called Ravana Brahma. His intent in abducting Sita was not lustful. He wanted to die at the hands of Maha Vishnu. He came to be known as Ravana ‘Asura’ only because he tormented Rama. Otherwise, he was a great tapaswi. He provided support and protected those in penance. Hanuman recognized his greatness.

Do you think Hanuman did not know that Lankini knew her whereabouts? It is all a part of the divine play. He is like the Sun. He knows all. He knows what is in everyone’s heart. He is not ordinary.

(Q&A Session, 5th June 2016)