Shloka 5.1.158
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
तं प्रयान्तं समुद्वीक्ष्य सुरसा वाक्यमब्रवीत्।बलं जिज्ञासमाना वै नागमाता हनूमतः।।।।
taṃ prayāntaṃ samudvīkṣya surasā vākyam abravīt | balaṃ jijñāsamānā vai nāgamātā hanūmataḥ ||
Seeing him attempting to depart, Surasā—the mother of serpents—spoke, wishing indeed to ascertain Hanumān’s strength.
Surasa, mother of serpents, observing that Hanuman was attempting to escape, said this in order to gauge his strength:
Righteous missions often include trials that measure capability and resolve; testing strength here functions as a dharmic verification of fitness for service.
The narration explains Surasā’s motive: she speaks to test and gauge Hanumān’s power as he tries to proceed.
Readiness and competence—Hanumān’s capacity is being assessed as part of his larger duty.