By Rama’s command, Hanuman set forth as a messenger to Sita, determined to fulfill his lord’s mission. As he sped across the vast ocean, he addressed the beings dwelling within its waters, urging them to assist Rama in his righteous endeavor. He pledged sincerely that, once he had seen both Maithili and Rama, he would return to their domain, speaking these words as a solemn vow. As Hanuman pressed onward, he was suddenly confronted by Surasā, the mother of serpents, who could assume any form at will. She blocked his path and declared, “No one may pass me; such is the boon granted to me.” Wishing to test Hanuman’s strength, Surasā spoke with authority, “Enter my mouth today, O best of monkeys, or you shall not proceed further. This boon was once given me by the Creator—be swift!” With her mouth opened wide, she stood before Hanuman, who grew angry at her challenge. “Make your mouth large enough to contain me!” he retorted, and in his fury, Hanuman expanded his body to ten yojanas in length. In response, Surasā widened her mouth to twenty yojanas. Hanuman then grew to thirty yojanas, and Surasā’s mouth became forty yojanas wide. Their contest continued—Hanuman became fifty yojanas tall, Surasā’s mouth sixty; Hanuman seventy, Surasā eighty; Hanuman, blazing like fire, became ninety yojanas, and Surasā stretched her jaws to one hundred yojanas. As he gazed upon her terrifying, gaping mouth—long-tongued and dreadful as the gates of hell—Hanuman paused and reflected. In that instant, the wise son of the wind contracted his form, shrinking down to the size of a thumb. Swiftly, he darted into Surasā’s mouth and, just as quickly, emerged again, standing in the sky. With reverence, he addressed her, “O daughter of Daksha, I have entered your mouth. My salutations to you! Now I will go to Vaidehī, for your boon remains fulfilled.” Seeing Hanuman released from her mouth, like the moon freed from Rahu’s jaws, Surasā resumed her true form and spoke kindly, “Go, O best of monkeys, gentle one, and accomplish your purpose as you wish. Bring Vaidehī to the great-souled Rāghava.” Witnessing this, all beings praised Hanuman’s extraordinary feat, exclaiming, “Well done! Well done!” Hanuman, having reached the unfathomable ocean, the very abode of Varuna, soared into the sky with the speed of Garuda. The heavens through which he traveled were alive with rain-bearing clouds, flocks of birds, celestial dancers, and the mighty Airavata. The sky was adorned with lions, elephants, tigers, birds, serpents as mounts, and resplendent flying vehicles. It shone with the glow of fire, touched by thunderbolts, and was inhabited by the fortunate souls who had reached heaven through merit. The path Hanuman traversed was crossed by the sun, worshipped by Chitrabhanu, and adorned with planets, stars, the moon, and the sun itself. Great sages, Gandharvas, Nāgas, and Yakṣas filled the clear expanse, attended by all the Viśvavasus. It was trodden by Airavata, the king of the gods’ elephant, and lay upon the auspicious path of the moon and sun—a vast canopy of living beings, spread out by Brahma’s creative power. Heroic Vidyādharas often frequented this realm, and Hanuman, son of the wind, traveled its course like Garuda himself. As he moved, Hanuman drew along masses of clouds—black as aloe wood, red, yellow, and white. The clouds shone brilliantly as Hanuman entered and exited their midst, his form visible everywhere, like the autumn moon emerging from behind the clouds. Soon, Hanuman reached the unsupported sky, soaring like a mountain with wings. As he floated there, he caught the attention of a rakshasi named Simhika. Watching him, the powerful, shape-shifting Simhika thought with delight, “Today, after a long time, I will have a meal. This great being has finally come under my control.” With that, she seized his shadow. Suddenly, Hanuman felt himself caught, his strength rendered useless, as if a great ship were being driven against the current by the wind. He looked about in all directions and saw, rising from the salty water, the immense form of Simhika. Recalling the description given by the monkey king, Hanuman realized this was the wondrous shadow-catcher, mighty and formidable. Understanding her true nature, Hanuman expanded his body like a rain cloud swelling in autumn. Seeing this, Simhika opened her mouth wide—so vast it seemed to stretch from the sky to the underworld. Roaring like thunderclouds, she rushed at Hanuman, her enormous mouth distorted and terrifying.