Samudra Laṅghana

Samudra Laṅghana is the great leap of Hanumān across the Lavaṇa Sāgara, the ocean of salt water. He flew from the southern shore of Bhārata to the island of Laṅkā. He did this to carry out the mission of Śrī Rāma, which was to find Sītā. The leap was one hundred yojanas over open sea, and it is the central wonder of the Sundara Kāṇḍa. On the way three beings tested Hanumān: Mainaka, Surasā and Siṃhikā. He overcame or satisfied each of them before he came down on the shore of Laṅkā.

The preparation on Mount Mahendra

The vānara search party had come down to the southern sea-shore and fell into despair. The ocean lay before them, a hundred yojanas wide, and none of them believed he could cross it.

Then Jāmbavān turned to Hanumān and reminded him of his birth. Hanumān was born of Añjanā and of Vāyu, the deva of the wind. His body was divine and his power had no limit. He had only to call it up. At these words Hanumān felt the hidden fire of his nature rise within him.

He climbed the peak of Mount Mahendra. He pressed down on the summit with his feet so hard that the rocks broke and the whole mountain shook. He filled his lungs with the wind from the sea. His body swelled to the size of a great hill and blazed with energy. He stood with eyes burning like two fires and his tail raised like a banner. He roared his purpose to the sky, and then he launched himself over the sea. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 1)

The crossing of the ocean

Hanumān flew through the sky like a mountain that had won back its wings. As he passed over the deep water, the force of his body pushed the currents aside and sent spray rising in columns on both sides of his path. The trees on Mahendra shook and were left behind. Clouds gathered round him and burst into rain. His huge shadow fell over the face of the ocean like a second sky. He was like Garuḍa cutting through the sky, like a comet blazing across it.

The devas, siddhas and gandharvas filled the sky to watch. They were amazed that any living being could make such a flight. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 1)

Mainaka

Halfway across the ocean a golden mountain rose suddenly from the water. This was Mainaka, son of Himavat. Long ago, when Indra cut the wings of the mountains, Mainaka’s friend Vāyu, Hanumān’s father, had hidden him beneath the sea. Now Mainaka knew that Rāma’s cause was near and that Hanumān was Vāyu’s son. So he rose up to offer Hanumān a place to rest.

Mainaka asked Hanumān to land on his summit, eat fruit, rest, and go on refreshed. Hanumān came down toward him and lightly touched the peak with his hand, in love and thanks, but he did not stop. He had vowed not to rest until he found Sītā, and no delay could be allowed. Mainaka accepted this gladly and saw in Hanumān’s single touch an act of grace. The mountain sank back into the sea. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 2)

Surasā

Farther on, the Nāgamātā Surasā appeared and blocked the sky in front of Hanumān. The devas had sent her to test him. She said that the immortals had ordained Hanumān to be her food, and that no one had ever passed her without going into her mouth.

Hanumān greeted her with respect. He said that his mission for Śrī Rāma would not let him become anyone’s meal before it was done. Once he had found Sītā and come back, he would gladly give himself to her.

Surasā insisted, so Hanumān began to grow: ten yojanas, then twenty, then thirty. Each time she opened her mouth wider to match his size. When her mouth was as wide as the sky, Hanumān at once shrank to the size of a thumb. He flew into her mouth and out again through her ear before she could close it. He stood before her once more and asked whether her vow was now kept.

Surasā was delighted. She gave up her terrible form and blessed him in her own divine form. She said that the world rejoices in deeds done with such intelligence. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 3)

The killing of Siṃhikā

As Hanumān flew on, he felt his speed suddenly slow down, as if something were holding him from below. He looked in every direction and saw nothing. Then he looked down and saw a huge form in the depths of the ocean.

This was Siṃhikā, a rākshasī born of the Nāgas. Her power was to seize creatures by their shadows. She had caught Hanumān’s shadow and was pulling him toward her open jaws. Hanumān had heard from the siddhas of such a being of vast size who could swallow anything.

He acted quickly. He made his body grow enormously, so that she had to open her mouth to its full width. Then he shrank to a tiny form, dived deep into her throat, and tore out her inner parts with his sharp nails. She fell dead into the ocean.

The siddhas watching from the sky praised him. They said that one who has strength, sight, speed and wisdom will never fail in his task. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 3)

Arrival at Laṅkā

Hanumān crossed the rest of the ocean and saw the shore of Laṅkā. The city stood on top of the three-peaked Mount Trikūṭa. It shone golden even from far away, and its walls and towers gleamed above the line of the forest.

He came down on a great mountain on the southern shore, called Lamba, and looked at the city of Rāvaṇa. He was filled with wonder, and his resolve grew stronger. Before him was the greatest fortress in the world, ringed by the ocean. It was the home of Rāvaṇa and his vast host of rākshasas, and somewhere inside it was Sītā. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 3)

Sources

• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapters 1–3