Surya, or Sun God, was the Guru of Hanuman. But Surya put a strange condition if Hanuman was to take lessons from him. As per this story Hanuman had to walk backwards facing the sun.
The sun god had offered to become Hanuman’s tutor. When the
latter approached him, Surya put
a condition. Since Surya had to keep moving, Hanuman would have to keep moving with his face towards the Sun. Hanuman accepted the condition. With his book open in his hands,
his eyes fixed on
the Sun, Hanuman kept moving backwards in the sky, synchronizing his steps
with the Sun’s movement. In this way, he mastered grammar and other academic
disciplines. (Valmiki Ramayana, 7.36.45; Tulsidas, Hanuman Bahuk, 4.)
On completing his education with Surya, Hanuman insisted on offering his guru-dakshina, the preceptor’s fee. Surya asked him to serve Sugriva, his son, who was not as strong and powerful as Vali, the chief of the vanaras. This brought Hanuman into Sugriva’s service.
Symbolism and Meaning in Hindu Philosophy
This story is rich with profound spiritual and philosophical meaning drawn from Hindu teachings. Here are the key symbolic dimensions:
The Sun as Ultimate Knowledge and Truth
In Hindu scriptures, Surya represents not merely the physical sun but cosmic consciousness, ultimate truth (Brahman), and divine illumination. By choosing the Sun as his guru, Hanuman seeks knowledge from the highest source. The Upanishads repeatedly use solar imagery to represent enlightenment and the dispelling of ignorance. Hanuman's willingness to learn from Surya suggests that true knowledge comes only from aligning oneself with the divine and eternal.
Moving Backwards: Surrender and Counterintuitive Discipline
The central challenge—moving backwards while facing the Sun—embodies several profound teachings. First, it represents complete surrender (sharanagati) to the guru's will. Hanuman doesn't question or negotiate; he accepts the condition fully. In Hindu philosophy, spiritual progress often requires abandoning our natural instincts and ego-driven logic.
Moving backwards symbolizes moving against the world's normal flow, suggesting that spiritual education requires going against ordinary conditioning and worldly patterns. The student must be willing to appear foolish or awkward by worldly standards to achieve higher wisdom. This echoes the Bhagavad Gita's teaching that true knowledge transcends conventional understanding.
Maintaining Focus: The Steadfastness of Devotion
Despite the physically challenging and unusual condition, Hanuman keeps his eyes fixed on the Sun and his book open—simultaneously maintaining focus on the divine goal while engaging in disciplined study. This represents yoga in its deepest sense: the integration of devotion, knowledge, and discipline. His unwavering concentration despite physical difficulty exemplifies the Hindu ideal of the devoted student who surrenders completely to learning.
The Guru-Disciple Relationship
The guru-dakshina (preceptor's fee) at the end reveals a crucial principle in Hindu education: true learning creates a bond of service and gratitude. The fee isn't merely financial; it's a commitment to use knowledge in service to others. Surya redirects Hanuman's gratitude toward serving Sugriva, teaching that education ultimately serves a larger purpose—helping those who need strength and support.
Synchronizing with Divine Rhythm
By synchronizing his steps with the Sun's movement, Hanuman learns to align his individual will with cosmic order (Rta). This reflects the Hindu concept that wisdom involves attunement to universal laws and rhythms rather than resistance to them. Even while moving backwards, Hanuman moves in harmony with divine motion.
The Ultimate Fruit: Service and Devotion
The story's conclusion is significant: Hanuman's education culminates not in personal achievement but in dedicated service to Sugriva and ultimately to Rama. In Hindu philosophy, knowledge without devotion (bhakti) and service (seva) remains incomplete. Hanuman becomes the archetypal model of the student who transmutes learning into selfless action.
This narrative teaches that the spiritual path requires unconventional discipline, complete faith in the guru, unwavering focus despite apparent absurdity, and ultimately, the channeling of all learning into humble service.