Shloka 5.1.146

समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing

Devanagari script

अयं वातात्मजः श्रीमान्प्लवते सागरोपरि।हनुमान्नाम तस्य त्वं मुहूर्तं विघ्नमाचर।।।।राक्षसं रूपमास्थाय सुघोरं पर्वतोपमम्।दंष्ट्राकरालं पिङ्गाक्षं वक्त्रं कृत्वा नभः समम्।।।।

Transliteration

ayaṁ vātātmajaḥ śrīmān plavate sāgaropari | hanumān nāma tasya tvaṁ muhūrtaṁ vighnam ācara || rākṣasaṁ rūpam āsthāya sughoraṁ parvatopamam | daṁṣṭrākarālaṁ piṅgākṣaṁ vaktraṁ kṛtvā nabhaḥ samam ||

Translation

“This glorious son of the Wind, named Hanumān, is flying over the ocean. For a brief while, create an obstacle for him: assume a fearsome rākṣasa-form, huge as a mountain, with dreadful fangs, tawny eyes, and a mouth as wide as the sky.”

Context

"The glorious son of the Wind-god, called Hanuman, is crossing the ocean. Obstruct him for sometime by assuming the hideous form of a demon, gigantic as a mountain, fearful with yellowish-brown eyes, with big teeth and a wide mouth like the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman
• Vayu (Wind-god)
• Ocean (Sāgara)
• Surasā
• Rākṣasa-form

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Righteous capability is proven under pressure: dharma is not mere intention, but steadiness when confronted by fear-inducing obstacles.

What is the narrative situation?

The gods instruct Surasā to block Hanuman briefly by taking a terrifying form, initiating a divine test during his ocean-crossing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanuman’s fearlessness and presence of mind—expected to remain intact even when confronted by a monstrous threat.