Shloka 5.1.189
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
तस्य सा कायमुद्वीक्ष्य वर्धमानं महाकपेः।।।।वक्त्रं प्रसारयामास पातालान्तरसन्निभम्।
tasya sā kāyam udvīkṣya vardhamānaṃ mahākapeḥ |
vaktraṃ prasārayāmāsa pātālāntarasannibham ||
Seeing the great monkey’s body growing larger and larger, she stretched open her mouth—like the yawning depths of the underworld.
Observing the body of Hanuman growing in size, Simhika started distending her mouth wide like the depth of the underworld.
The imagery teaches that unchecked desire becomes abyss-like; dharma requires restraint, whereas adharma expands appetite toward destruction.
Simhika, intent on devouring Hanuman, responds to his growth by widening her mouth to an enormous, terrifying extent.
Hanuman’s steadiness under threat is implied: even as the danger escalates, he has already chosen a strategic response.