Episode 1 - Anjaneya’s flight across the ocean

Having been persuaded by other Vanaras in his team, the great Anjaneya was about to start on his flight from the Mahendra Mountain, across the ocean, from the north to the south, to reach Lanka in search of Sita. Before doing so, he turned east and saluted Lord Indra, the king of the Devas (gods), the Wind God (his father), Lord Brahma, the Creator and others. Then he turned southward and assumed an extraordinarily huge form like a mountain.

As he was starting his flight, Anjaneya declared to his mates: “I will go to Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana, like an arrow shot by Rama, with the speed of the wind. If I don’t find Sita there, I will proceed to Heaven with the same speed. If I don’t find her even in Heaven, I shall get back to Lanka. By all means, I shall accomplish my task and return with Sita. If not, I will uproot the city of Lanka along with Ravana and return with them.”

As Hanuman (Anjaneya) started to fly, he pounded the mountain with such force that all the living beings on the mountain were disturbed and hurt and came out of their abodes. The momentum generated by his flight was so great that some of the trees on the mountain were uprooted and they followed him just as kith and kin would follow their relatives leaving them, for some distance, to bid them farewell.

Anjaneya flew high up into the sky, sometimes hidden behind the clouds and sometimes coming out of them and he shone like the moon. As he was flying across the sea, the Sea God spotted him and knowing his noble mission, wanted to assist him, bearing in mind that Rama’s ancestor by name Sagara, had helped his growth in the past. Therefore, he called up Mainaka, the mountain residing in him and requested him to rise up and invite Anjaneya to rest on him and receive his hospitality. He pointed out the Dharma that if a duty was not performed by anyone as prescribed, holy men would be offended. Mainaka, responding to the Sea God, stood in human form, on his own mountain peak and welcoming Anjaneya, on his way, said: “O Anjaneya! The sea has been developed by the ancestors of Rama. You are going on Rama’s mission. The Sea God wants to provide hospitality to you through me as a mark of gratitude. This is an ancient Dharma. Therefore, stay on me (on the mountain) for a while, accept my offering and proceed.”

“There is a special reason for me in welcoming you. When you are worshipped, your father, the Wind God is also worshipped. In Kruta Yuga, O Anjaneya, the mountains had wings and they were moving here and there and the Devas (gods), the Rishis and human beings were all terrified. To remove their fears, Lord Indra cut off the wings of the mountains. When Indra was nearing me to cut off my wings, I felt helpless and motionless and your father, the Wind God, moved me swiftly into the sea and protected me. Therefore, be pleased to accept our hospitality and make the Sea God and myself happy.”

Anjaneya was quite pleased and replied, “Mainaka, I feel happy and your hospitality is deemed to have been extended. Time is running out. I have taken a vow in the presence of my companions that I shall not tarry on the way.” So saying and smiling and touching the mountain with his hand in acknowledgement, Anjaneya proceeded on his journey.

Lord Indra, who was observing the whole event from above, told Mainaka, the Mountain, “O Mainaka! I am very pleased indeed with you. Move wherever you like without fear, hereafter.”

Anjaneya was continuing his flight uninterrupted. The Devas wanted to test his strength. So they approached the Nagamata (mother of the Serpent race) called Surasa, residing in the ocean and pleaded with her, “O Surasa! We desire to know the strength and valour of Anjaneya. Therefore, you assume the form of a huge Rakshasi (demoness) and test him. Let us see whether he will conquer you by some means or the other or come to grief, unable to face you.”

Surasa agreed with the request of the Devas and came in the way of Anjaneya in a terrible Rakshasi form and warned him, “O Vanara! You are ordained to be my food by the Devas. Therefore, enter my mouth and I will eat you up.” Anjaneya respectfully answered Nagamata thus, “O Nagamata! I am going in search of Sita, King Rama’s Consort. You are dwelling in his kingdom and ought to help him. I promise that after finding Sita and contacting Rama, I will return here to become food for you.”

Surasa, not convinced, said to Anjaneya: “No one can leave this place, having come here, without entering my mouth. This is a boon given to me by Lord Brahma.” So saying, Surasa widened her mouth. Anjaneya grew angry and asked Surasa: “Alright! Let your mouth be as wide as you wish so as to accommodate me.” Thereupon, Surasa began to open her mouth wider and wider even as Anjaneya was becoming bigger and bigger and all of a sudden, Anjaneya reduced himself to the size of a thumb, swiftly entered the wide mouth of Surasa and came out unhurt. He then thanked the Nagamata, who on her part, blessed Anjaneya and wished him success in his mission.

As Anjaneya’s flight continued, a Rakshasi named Simhika saw him and began to pull him down towards her by her mere contact with his shadow and was intent on swallowing him up. She assumed a great form and a huge mouth opened up to receive Anjaneya. Anjaneya quickly realized the danger and cleverly reduced himself to a small size, entered the mouth of the Rakshasi and destroyed the vital parts of her body with his nails killing her instantly. The Devas (gods) above commended Anjaneya thus: “O Hanuman! You have a sharp mind, judgment, courage and competence and whoever has these four traits like you, does not despair.”

As he was approaching the city of Lanka on the other shore of the ocean, Hanuman thought that a huge form such as his and his speed would attract the attention of the Rakshasas and therefore, he assumed a small form to enter and move unnoticed in the land of the enemy.