As Hanuman soared across the vast ocean, both the mountain from which he had launched and the ocean itself watched him with deep reverence. They honored him, offering blessings befitting his extraordinary journey. Ascending higher and higher, Hanuman left behind the mountain and the wide expanse of the sea, following the path of his father, the wind, and moving swiftly through the clear sky. Hanuman, the mighty leader of the monkeys, again rose further, gazing back at the mountain below. Unsupported, he advanced through the heavens, performing a feat so remarkable that all the gods, the perfected beings, and the supreme sages marveled at his courage and praised him. The deities rejoiced at his accomplishment, among them Sunabha, the golden-naved mountain, and Indra, the thousand-eyed lord of the heavens. Filled with satisfaction, Indra, the wise lord of Shachi, addressed Sunabha, the foremost mountain. His words, stammering with delight, conveyed his gratitude: “O Sunabha, lord of golden-naved mountains, I am greatly pleased with you. I grant you fearlessness; go, gentle one, as you wish.” Indra continued, “You have given great assistance to Hanuman, who rested here, enabling him to cross the hundred yojanas step by step, fearless amidst danger. This monkey goes solely for the welfare of Rama, son of Dasharatha. By performing this act of hospitality with your power, you have firmly pleased me.” Hearing Indra’s words and seeing his satisfaction, the excellent mountain was filled with joy. Sunabha remained there, blessed and content, while Hanuman, in a single moment, crossed the ocean’s breadth. Meanwhile, the gods, together with the Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme sages, turned to Surasa, the radiant serpent-mother. They said, “This illustrious son of the wind, Hanuman, is crossing the ocean; for a moment, you must create an obstacle for him. Assume a terrifying and monstrous form, like a great mountain, with dreadful fangs, tawny eyes, and a mouth reaching the sky. We wish to test his strength and further his prowess; either he will overcome you by some means, or he will fall into despair.” Honored by the gods, Surasa took on a demonic form in the midst of the ocean. Grotesque and fearsome, she blocked Hanuman’s path as he flew, and spoke: “You have been appointed as my food by the gods, O foremost of monkeys; I will devour you—enter my mouth.” She reminded him of the boon once given to her by the Creator: “Be swift!” With her vast mouth opened wide, she stood before the son of the wind. Hanuman, his face beaming, replied: “Rama, son of Dasharatha, has entered the Dandaka forest with his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita. Absorbed in other duties and bound by enmity with the demons, his illustrious wife Sita was carried off by Ravana. By Rama’s command, I am going as a messenger to her; you, dwelling in these waters, ought to assist Rama. Otherwise, having seen Maithili and Rama, the doer of righteous deeds, I will return to your mouth; I pledge you this truthfully.” Surasa, who could assume any form at will, replied, “No one may bypass me; this is my boon.” Wishing to test Hanuman’s strength, she insisted, “Enter my mouth today, O best of monkeys, or you cannot go further; this boon was once given to me by the Creator—be swift!” With her mouth opened wide, she stood before Hanuman, who grew angry at this challenge. Hanuman said, “Make your mouth such that you can contain me!” With these words, he expanded his body to ten yojanas long. Surasa responded by making her mouth twenty yojanas wide. Hanuman then grew to thirty yojanas, and Surasa widened her mouth to forty yojanas. The heroic Hanuman became fifty yojanas tall, and Surasa’s mouth stretched to sixty yojanas. Hanuman grew to seventy yojanas, and Surasa opened her mouth to eighty yojanas. Blazing like fire, Hanuman became ninety yojanas tall, and Surasa’s mouth reached a hundred yojanas. Seeing Surasa’s terrifying, gaping mouth, dreadful as hell and long-tongued, Hanuman, wise and resourceful, paused and reflected. In that instant, he contracted his body, becoming as small as a thumb. Approaching and entering Surasa’s mouth, the mighty Hanuman swiftly emerged and stood in the sky, declaring, “I have entered your mouth, O daughter of Daksha; my salutations to you! Now I will go where Vaidehī is, for your boon remains true.” Surasa, seeing Hanuman released from her mouth like the moon escaping Rahu’s jaws, addressed him in her own form: “Go, O best of monkeys, gentle one, and accomplish your purpose as you wish. Bring Vaidehī to the great-souled Rāghava.” Witnessing Hanuman’s third and most difficult feat, all beings—gods, sages, and celestial creatures—praised the monkey, exclaiming, “Well done! Well done!