But Surya refused to be Hanuman’s teacher arguing that he was busy travelling all day and at night he had to rest and so had no time to teach. Hanuman then began flying in front of the sun’s chariot, facing the sun, suffering his glaring heat, determined to learn whatever the sun god could share during his daily journey from the east to the west. Impressed by this display of determination, the sun—who is lord of all grahas—taught Hanuman many things, amongst them how to counter the ill effects of dangerous planets, plants and animals. Therefore, one prays to Hanuman in times of crisis.
