As Hanuman soared through the unsupported sky, he appeared like a mountain with wings, gliding effortlessly above the earth. But as he floated onward, a rakshasi named Simhika caught sight of him. This powerful, shape-shifting demoness thought to herself, "Today, after a long time, I will finally have a meal." Seeing Hanuman approaching, she was filled with anticipation: "This great being has come within my grasp," she mused, and, with her magical power, seized hold of his shadow. Suddenly, Hanuman felt himself restrained, his strength rendered useless, as if an invisible force had seized him in midair. Like a great ship in the sea driven against the current by the wind, Hanuman looked about—sideways, upwards, and downwards—seeking the cause of this sudden hindrance. Then he saw her: rising from the salty waters below, the formidable Simhika revealed herself. Hanuman pondered, remembering the words of the monkey king, Sugriva, who had spoken of such a wondrous being, a mighty shadow-catcher. There was no doubt—this was she. Understanding her true nature, Hanuman, wise and resolute, expanded his body, swelling like a rain cloud in autumn. Seeing the monkey's form grow immense, Simhika responded in turn, opening her mouth wide—so vast it seemed to stretch across the sky and the underworld. Roaring like thunderous clouds, she rushed toward Hanuman, her mouth distorted and enormous. The wise Hanuman observed her carefully, noting her body and vital points. Then, contracting himself repeatedly, he suddenly leapt and plunged into her gaping mouth. The Siddhas and Charanas—celestial beings—watched in awe as he seemed to be swallowed whole, much like Rahu devours the full moon at its zenith. But within her, Hanuman unleashed his power, tearing at her vital points with his sharp nails. With swift prowess and unyielding courage, Hanuman sprang up from her body. By fate, skill, and valor, he struck her down, destroying her heart. He emerged, falling into the troubled waters below, victorious—indeed, Hanuman had been created by the Self-born for this very purpose: to bring her destruction. Witnessing Simhika struck down and fallen by Hanuman's hand, the sky-roaming beings spoke to him, the foremost of monkeys: "A terrible deed has been accomplished today; a mighty being has been slain by you. Fulfill the purpose for which you set out, O best among those who leap. O king of monkeys, one who possesses resolve, vision, intelligence, and skill—just as you do—never falters in action." Honored by these celestial words, Hanuman, the venerable monkey, rose into the sky once more, like Garuda, the devourer of serpents. Nearing the far shore, he looked around and saw a stretch of forest at the end of a hundred yojanas. As he descended, the best among branch-leaping monkeys beheld an island adorned with many kinds of trees, and the groves of Mount Malaya. He gazed upon the ocean, the coastal lands, the trees growing by the shore, and even glimpsed the faces of the ocean's wives. Seeing his own form, vast as a great cloud, Hanuman reflected that he seemed to block the very sky. The great-minded one thought, "If the rakshasas see my increased size and speed, they will become curious about me." So, contracting his mountain-like body, he returned to his natural form, composed and free from delusion. Having reduced his form, Hanuman stood in his own nature and traversed three strides, like Hari who once stole Bali's strength and power. Assuming a charming and varied form, he reached the far shore of the ocean; taking a shape impossible for others, Hanuman—self-aware and intent on his mission—surveyed the scene. On the splendid peak of the lofty Lambā mountain, amidst ketaka, udālaka, and coconut trees, the great-souled Hanuman, resembling a mass of clouds, alighted. Having reached the ocean's shore, he gazed upon Lanka, which stood atop the best of mountains. Landing upon that mountain, Hanuman shed his vast form, startling the deer and birds that dwelled there. Having crossed the ocean teeming with danavas and serpents, wreathed in mighty waves, he stood on the shore and beheld Lanka, shining like the city of the gods. Now begins the second sarga of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana’s Sundara Kanda. Having crossed the invincible ocean, the mighty Hanuman stood at ease and beheld Lanka on the slope of Trikuta mountain. Even after traversing a hundred yojanas, the illustrious and supremely valiant monkey did not pant or show fatigue. "I could cross hundreds of yojanas, even many more," he thought. "So what of this measured hundred yojanas across the ocean?" The foremost among the powerful, the best among those who leap, Hanuman sped swiftly to Lanka, crossing the vast ocean. Along the way, he passed through green meadows, dark forests fragrant with scent, honey-laden woods, and mountains. Radiant and chief among monkeys, Hanuman approached mountains covered with trees and blossoming forests. Standing upon one such mountain, amidst forests and groves, the son of the wind saw Lanka, situated atop the peak. He saw sal trees, karnikara, fully blossomed date palms, priyala, muculinda, kutaja, and ketaka as well. He saw priyangu trees full of fragrance, nipa, saptachhada, asana, kovidara, and blossoming karavira. Thus, Hanuman, the mighty and wise, stood gazing upon the wondrous city of Lanka, ready to fulfill his sacred mission.