Hanuman Leaps Across the Ocean

1. Hanuman climbed Mount Mahendra and bowed to Rama, Vayu and the demigods. Before beginning a great task, he first asked the Lord for help and blessings.
2. He pressed his feet into the mountain and sprang into the sky. Trees and flowers followed him for a moment like joyful friends.
3. Hanuman flew above rolling waves, whales and sparkling clouds. He repeated Rama's name and did not feel tired.
4. The golden mountain Mainaka rose from the ocean and offered Hanuman a place to rest. The ocean wished to honour Rama's messenger.
5. Hanuman touched Mainaka gratefully but did not stop. Until Sita was found, every moment mattered.
6. The celestial mother Surasa appeared like a great serpent and asked Hanuman to enter her mouth. The demigods had sent her to test his wisdom.
7. Hanuman grew huge, and Surasa opened her mouth even wider; then he suddenly became tiny. He understood that wisdom helps where strength alone is not enough.
8. Small as a thumb, Hanuman darted into Surasa's mouth and out again before she could close it. She blessed him for using intelligence instead of anger.
9. Farther on, Hanuman felt himself being pulled downward. The rakshasi Simhika had seized his shadow from beneath the sea.
10. Hanuman entered her enormous mouth, defeated her and flew out safely. He did not allow danger to delay Rama's mission.
11. At last the golden walls and high towers of Lanka appeared on the horizon. Hanuman landed upon a wooded hill and observed the city.
12. To search without harming anyone, Hanuman reduced himself to the size of a cat. He waited until darkness covered the gates.
13. Lankini stopped the tiny stranger and struck him. Hanuman answered with one controlled blow, and she fell without serious harm.
14. Lankini remembered that Lanka would begin to fall when a vanara defeated her. She bowed to Hanuman and allowed him to enter.
15. Hanuman crossed the wall and quietly entered the moonlit city. Somewhere within Lanka, Sita was waiting.

Authoritative sources

• Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.10
• Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.11