Shloka 5.1.7
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
स तस्य गिरिवर्यस्य तले नागवरायुते।तिष्ठन् कपिवरस्तत्र ह्रदे नाग इवाबभौ।।।।
sa tasya girivaryasya tale nāgavarāyute | tiṣṭhan kapivaras tatra hrade nāga ivābabhau ||
Standing at the foot of that excellent mountain, abounding in lordly elephants, the foremost of monkeys appeared like an elephant standing in the midst of a lake.
As the monkey leader stood at the foot of the great mountain filled with lordly elephants he looked like an elephant standing at the centre of a pond.
Dharma is preparedness for righteous action: before great deeds, one stands poised, gathering strength for service rather than acting rashly.
Before the ocean-leap, Hanumān stands at the mountain’s foot, described with a calm yet powerful simile.
Sthairya (steadiness) and readiness—quiet power aligned with duty.