Shloka 5.1.122
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
पूजिते त्वयि धर्मज्ञ पूजां प्राप्नोति मारुतः।तस्मात्त्वं पूजनीयो मे शृणु चाप्यत्र कारणम्।।।।
pūjite tvayi dharmajña pūjāṃ prāpnoti mārutaḥ | tasmāt tvaṃ pūjanīyo me śṛṇu cāpy atra kāraṇam ||
O knower of dharma, when you are honoured, the Wind-god receives honour as well. Therefore you are worthy of reverence from me; and hear also the reason for this.
"O knower of righteousness! to worship you is to honour the Wind-god. Therefore you are worthy of worship for me. I will tell you the reason. Listen.
Reverence to the worthy: honour offered to a virtuous person is also honour to the greater principles and sources behind that virtue.
Maināka explains that worshipping Hanumān is indirectly worshipping Hanumān’s divine father, and prepares to narrate the background.
Hanumān’s dharma-knowledge and worthiness of respect, acknowledged by Maināka.