October 8 - Shlokas 51 to 143 of the first sarga of Sundara Kanda.
The lord of the seas, remembering how Sagara's dynasty had helped him to increase in size by the flow of Ganga's waters, arranged for hospitality by Mainaka Peak who was residing in the ocean.
Hanuman politely refused to stop for any rest or refreshment as he was on an urgent and sacred mission.
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Valmiki uses several similes to describe the incredible sight of Hanuman flying in the sky. The flowers that had encrusted him fell off into the ocean making it look like the star-spangled sky. He looked so awesome one imagined he was devouring the ocean. His eyes blazed like the sun and the moon. His tail rose up behind like Indra's banner. The wind whistled through his armpits with a thundering sound. In the rays of the rising sun, his shadow cast on the waters was thirty yojanas long and ten yojanas wide. He along with his shadow looked like a giant ship cruising in the ocean. The force of Hanuman's trajectory caused a violent storm as it were in the ocean. Hanuman passing into and out of clouds resembled the full moon in transit. Sages and gandharvas showered Hanuman with flowers.
Watching Hanuman's traversal overhead, the lord of the seas remembered that Hanuman was embarking on a mission for the scion of Ikshwakus, Sri Rama. After all, the ocean (Saagara) had received much glory on account of the deed of Sagara's dynasty who had brought the divine river Ganga to earth and made her flood the nether regions and join and significantly increase the size of the ocean (Bhagiratha's story in Balakanda). Now Hanuman is the minister as it were of Sri Rama, going on an important mission for Sri Rama.
The lord of the oceans decided to extend hospitality to Hanuman. Hanuman should take a break and get some rest. He asked Mainaka, the mountain peak who had been assigned the task of guarding the gates of the undersea netherworld and keep the demons from escaping and doing damage, to rise and invite Hanuman to rest on him.
***
Mainaka rises gladly from the ocean. When Hanuman sees a huge mountain obstructing his path, he is thinking of what evasive action he should take. Then he decides to strike the huge golden mountain with his chest. The mountain in turn feels happy to be acknowledged! Mainaka assumes a human form atop the peak and speaks in a high pitch:
दुष्करं कृतवान् कर्म त्वमिदं वानरोत्तम ।
निपत्य मम शृङ्गेषु सुखं विश्रम्य गम्यताम् ॥
राघवस्य कुले जातैरुदधिः परिवर्धितः ।
स त्वां रामहिते युक्तं प्रत्यर्चयति सागरः ॥
Mainaka addresses Hanuman, " Oh supreme vanara, Hanuman! You are on a most difficult mission. Please deign to descend on my peak and rest awhile and then proceed further.
"The lord of the oceans, Saagara, is beholden to the dynasty of Raghus of whom Sri Rama is the scion, because they enabled him to become this big by the flow of celestial waters. Now Saagara wants to extend his hospitality to you in return, knowing how dear your mission is to Sri Rama."
Mainaka tells a surprised Hanuman his own story of how he was long ago one amongst all the mountains who had wings and could fly around. Proud of their size and power, they flew around wantonly, pretty much making a nuisance of themselves. The lord of gods, Indra, was not pleased. He struck down the wings of all mountains and rendered them immobile (the Sanskrit word for mountain is नग - non-moving). At that time, Vayu, the Wind-god and father of Hanuman, transported and hid Mainaka in the depths of the ocean so he could be saved from Indra's wrath. So Mainaka still has his wings. He would now like to repay his debt to Vayu and offer his hospitality in terms of a rich fare of fruits and roots to Hanuman, and therefore Hanuman may kindly take a break and alight on Mainaka. Mainaka also extols the dharma of hospitality and says it is his duty and privilege to attend on an important guest like Hanuman.
Hanuman replies,
एवमुक्तः कपिश्रेष्ठस्तं नगोत्तममब्रवीत् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि कृतमाथित्यं मन्युरेषोऽपनीयताम् ॥
त्वरते कार्यकालो मे अहश्चाप्यतिवर्तते ।
प्रतिज्ञा च मया दत्ता न स्थातव्यमिहान्तरा ॥
"Oh Mainaka, I am very pleased by your kind hospitality. If I do not stop, please don't be disappointed. You see, I am on an urgent mission. The day is also coming to a close. I have also taken a vow not to rest or stop anywhere en route."
Hanuman touches Mainaka affectionately and continues to fly at full speed. Both Mainaka and Saagara pronounce their blessings for Hanuman's success.
As Hanuman speeds up into a higher orbit and moves at even greater speed, the gods as well as Indra himself are overjoyed at the gesture of Mainaka and even Hanuman's response. Indra commends Mainaka. Mainaka feels fulfilled.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
