Hanuman Laughs at the Ocean, and the Forests Begin to Move
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 1
Doha 1ख · Movement 1 of 2
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Hanuman looks upon the sea and asks how many times one might cross so small an ocean. Rama's power, he says, is the great fire hidden beneath the waters. It had already dried the ocean once, until the tears of enemy women filled it again and made its depths salt.
The daring conceit delights the monkeys as they gaze upon Raghupati. Jambavan turns joy into labor. He tells Nala and Nila the whole design and asks them to remember Rama's glory within. Under that remembrance, the building of the bridge will require no impossible effort.
Then his call travels through the host. Hold Rama's lotus feet in the heart and perform this wonder. Fierce companies of bears and monkeys rush toward forests and mountains. Trees groan, peaks tremble, and the land itself begins to move in their arms. Their cries rise together: victory to the gathered glory of Raghuvira.
With Rama held inside the heart, mountains cease to be landscape and become offerings carried toward the sea.
Read the passage from the Manas
यह लघु जलधि तरत कति बारा। अस सुनि पुनि कह पवनकुमारा।। प्रभु प्रताप बड़वानल भारी। सोषेउ प्रथम पयोनिधि बारी।। तब रिपु नारी रुदन जल धारा। भरेउ बहोरि भयउ तेहिं खारा।। सुनि अति उकुति पवनसुत केरी। हरषे कपि रघुपति तन हेरी।। जामवंत बोले दोउ भाई। नल नीलहि सब कथा सुनाई।। राम प्रताप सुमिरि मन माहीं। करहु सेतु प्रयास कछु नाहीं।। बोलि लिए कपि निकर बहोरी। सकल सुनहु बिनती कछु मोरी।। राम चरन पंकज उर धरहू। कौतुक एक भालु कपि करहू।। धावहु मर्कट बिकट बरूथा। आनहु बिटप गिरिन्ह के जूथा।। सुनि कपि भालु चले करि हूहा। जय रघुबीर प्रताप समूहा।।
Hearing this, Pavanakumara spoke again: 'How many times could one cross this small ocean?' The Lord's mighty power is like a great submarine fire that first dried up all the waters of the sea. Then the tears of the enemy's women filled it again, and thus the water became salty. Hearing the excellent words of Pavanasuta, the monkeys rejoiced, gazing at Raghupati's form. Jambavan spoke to both brothers, Nala and Nila, and told them the entire plan. Remembering Rama's glory in your hearts, build the bridge. There will be no difficulty. Calling the vaanara hosts again, he said: 'Listen all to my humble request.' Hold Rama's lotus feet in your hearts and perform this one wondrous deed, O bears and monkeys. Rush forth, O fierce vaanara warriors, and bring clusters of trees and mountains. Hearing this, the monkeys and bears departed with great zeal, shouting 'Jai to the glorious Raghuvira!'