"His name is Hanuman, you provide a momentary obstruction "

"Battle with Surasa":

Surasa is the mother of all great serpents. Devas ask Surasa to provide a momentary obstruction to Hanuman and test his resolve.

Then Surasa bars Hanuman's path saying that he has been sent by Gods as her food and that he must enter her mouth.

Hanuman ever reverential, cups his hand and tells her about his mission.

“Rama , the son of Dasaratha, entered Dandaka forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. He is an implacable foe of the Rakshasas . When Rama was away Ravana abducted Sita. On Rama's command I am going to Sita as his messenger .Iwill promise you this . Once I have completed my service after seeing Sita , I will return to enter your mouth".

Surasa does not relent and Hanuman and says “ Hanuman , no one can escape me such is my boon “.

Upset with her , Hanuman challenges her to open her mouth wide enough for him to enter. Surasa expands her mouth to accommodate ten Yojanas long Hanuman. The challenge proceeds with each increasing their sizes.

Seeing Hanuman of grown to ten Yojanas , Surasa stretched her jaws to twenty yojanas. Then Hanuman increased his size to thirty yojanas. In turn Surasa opened her jaws to forty Yojanas. The Hanuman expanded his size to fifty Yojanas and Surasa opened her jaws to sixty Yojanas. Then again Hanuman increased his size to Seventy Yojanas. Then Surasa opened her jaws to eighty Yojanas and Hanuman increased his size to ninety Yojanas. Seeing Hanuman of the size of a mountain Surasa increased her jaws to hundred Yojanas.

It is then Hanuman , known for his intelligence and his ability to change his form at will , made himself to be the size of a thumb. In a moment flew into the mouth of Surasa and flew out as quickly .

Then staying up in the sky Hanuman addresses Surasa.

Saying “ Dakshayini , the boon given by Brahma has been fulfilled in as much as I entered your mouth and came out.”

Surasa too pleased with the act of Hanuman outwitting her , wishes Hanuman all success.

The gods who sent Surasa too were pleased with the battle of wits and happy that Hanuman came out on tops.

Hanuman continued his journey to Lanka!

"Battle with Simhika" :

Seeing Hanuman flying across the ocean A Rakshasi by name Simhika started thinking

Simhika thought that after a long time a large creature has come with her grasp. And thinking like that she caught hold of the shadow.

Hanuman too realized that he is held back by some force not moving forward very much like a ship caught in unfavorable winds on the ocean.

Looking back he saw the huge creature Simhika rising from the ocean floor. Immediately Hanuman realized that it is the same shadow catcher mentioned by Sugriva. The intelligent hanuman having already overcome Surasa , seeing Simhika , realized the open jaws and the vital parts of the demon as an invitation. He contracted his body to enter her mouth and came out slashing her vital organs and flew up again. Then Simhika fell down dead.

Seeing the fallen Simhika all the beings roaming the heavens were delighted and addressed Hanuman.

“In killing the mighty creature today you have accomplished a formidable feat . Now you may accomplish the chosen task without Hindrance”

Then Valmiki adds using the heavenly beings

“One who possesses the four virtues firmness, foresight, intelligence and skill never fails in his undertakings”

Having accomplished one more feat hanuman moved on towards Lanka in search of Sita .

om tat sat