Shloka 4.64.24
अङ्गदोपदेशः समुद्रदर्शन-विषादश्च (Angada’s Counsel and the Vanaras’ Despondency at the Ocean)
न हि वो गमने सङ्गः कदाचित्कस्यचित्क्वचित्।ब्रुवध्वं यस्य या शक्तिः प्लवने प्लवगर्षभाः।।।।
sattvair mahadbhir vikṛtaiḥ krīḍadbhir vividhair jale |
vyāttāsyaiḥ sumahākāyair ūrmibhiś ca samākulam ||
prasuptam iva cānyatra krīḍantam iva cānyataḥ |
kvacit parvatamātraiś ca jalarāśibhir āvṛtam ||
saṅkulaṃ dānavendraiś ca pātālatala-vāsibhiḥ |
romaharṣakaraṃ dṛṣṭvā viṣeduḥ kapikuñjarāḥ ||
They beheld the ocean, turbulent with waves and thronged in its waters by many kinds of vast and fearsome creatures, their mouths agape as they sported. In one place it seemed asleep, in another it seemed at play; and somewhere it was covered by mountain-like masses of water. Crowded too with mighty lords among the Dānavas who dwell in the depths of Pātāla, it was a sight that made the hair stand on end; and the foremost of the monkeys, seeing it, grew anxious.
'None of you at any time have faced any obstruction in doing your deeds. You are efficient in leaping. O bulls among monkeys! now speak out, who among you can fly and how far?ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē catuṣṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the sixtyfourth sarga in Kishkindakanda of the first epic, the Holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.
Dharma is tested by obstacles: righteous duty often meets frightening barriers, and the proper response is not denial but clear-eyed recognition that prepares one for courageous action.
The vānaras assess the ocean’s danger and immensity; the sight unsettles even the strongest among them.
Realism joined to courage—acknowledging fear without surrendering the mission.