Standing on Mahendra mountain, Hanuman offered prayers to all the gods, especially Vayu, and with the name of Sri Rama in his heart and on his lips, he took off over the ocean towards the south, where Lanka lay. In the ocean lay Mainaka mountain that had taken shelter in the ocean to escape persecution by Indra. Mainaka had been asked by the Ocean King to provide a resting place for Hanuman on his long flight to Lanka. So when he saw Hanuman approaching, he emerged from the waves of the ocean and spoke to him. “Rest a while on my back, son,” invited Mainaka. Hanuman paused to thank him, touched by his gesture, and gently, passed his hand over the back of the mountain. But he said he could not delay Sri Rama’s work, which had already been held up earlier. With Mainaka’s blessings Hanuman went on his way.
Hanuman Departs for Lanka
