Shloka 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 ||
Vendo-o tentar partir, Surasā, a mãe das serpentes, falou, desejando de fato averiguar a força de Hanumān.
Surasa, mother of serpents, observing that Hanuman was attempting to escape, said this in order to gauge his strength:
FAQs
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.