Shloka 5.1.180
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
सेविते वारिधाराभिः पतगैश्च निषेविते।चरिते कैशिकाचार्यैरैरावतनिषेविते।।5.1.174।।सिंहकुञ्जरशार्दूलपतगोरगवाहनैः।विमानैः सम्पतद्भिश्च विमलैः समलङ्कृते।।5.1.175।।वज्राशनिसमाघातैः पावकैरुपशोभिते।कृतपुण्यैर्महाभागैः स्वर्गजिद्भिरलङ्कृते।।5.1.176।।वहता हव्यमत्यर्धं सेविते चित्रभानुना।ग्रहनक्षत्रचन्द्रार्कतारागण विभूषिते।।5.1.177।।महर्षिगणगन्धर्वनागयक्षसमाकुले।विविक्ते विमले विश्वे विश्वावसुनिषेविते।।5.1.178।।देवराजगजाक्रान्ते चन्द्रसूर्यपथे शिवे।विताने जीवलोकस्य वितते ब्रह्मनिर्मिते।।5.1.179।।बहुशः सेविते वीरैर्विद्याधरगणैर्वरैः।जगाम वायुमार्गे तु गरुत्मानिव मारुतिः।।5.1.180।।
bahuśaḥ sevite vīrair vidyādharagaṇair varaiḥ |
jagāma vāyumārge tu garutmān iva mārutiḥ || 5.1.180 ||
Along that wind-path—frequented again and again by heroic and eminent companies of Vidyādharas—Māruti went onward, like Garuḍa in flight.
Hanuman passed through the path of wind like Garuda. The region was refreshed with clouds that released torrents of rain and frequented by birds. The great masters of music (Tumburu, Narada and Gandharvas) trained in Kasika moved there driven by lions, elephants, tigers, birds and serpents and were moving in different aerial vehicles. It was splendid with god at fire who strikes fiercely like thunderbolt. It was inhabited by great sages who had acquired merit. The region was traversed by firegod who carried havis in large quantities earnestly. It was decorated with planets, constellations, Moon, Sun and clusters of stars. It was filled with groups of greal sages, gandharvas, nagas and yakshas. It was isolated part of the universe traversed by the king of gandharvas like Vishvavasu. It was an auspicious path for Moon and Sun, a sporting ground for Airavata, the vehicle of lord Indra. It was an extensive world of living beings created by Brahma. It was frequented by many heroes ascending to heaven and blocked by vidyadharas.
Dharma here is steadfastness in righteous duty: Hanuman proceeds unwaveringly on Rama’s mission, moving forward despite the vast and extraordinary cosmic route.
Hanuman is traveling through the sky toward Lanka; the narration highlights the celestial nature of the path, setting the stage for imminent obstacles (like Simhika).
Vīrya (courage/heroic power) joined with niṣṭhā (firm resolve): Hanuman advances confidently, compared to Garuḍa, symbolizing unstoppable momentum in service of dharma.