Rama Establishes Rameshwaram and Declares Shiva Dearest to Him
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 2
Doha 2 · Movement 1 of 2
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Enormous mountains arrive, and Nala and Nila catch them like balls. Watching the beautiful bridge take form, the treasury of compassion smiles. This ground is supremely lovely, Rama says, its glory beyond description. A desire has arisen within his heart to establish Shiva here.
Sugriva sends messengers, and great sages gather at the sea. With full sacred rite, Rama establishes the linga and worships Shankara before the waiting army. The commander about to enter war bends first in reverence, making the shore a sanctuary before it becomes a road.
None is dearer to me than Shiva, Rama declares. Whoever opposes Shiva while claiming devotion to Rama cannot reach him even in dream. Whoever turns from Shankara yet seeks Rama's bhakti possesses little understanding and moves toward misery. Sectarian pride finds no foothold before the Lord who worships his beloved Lord.
Before crossing to battle, Rama builds a shrine and places love for Shiva at the heart of his own devotion.
Read the passage from the Manas
सैल बिसाल आनि कपि देहीं। कंदुक इव नल नील ते लेहीं।। देखि सेतु अति सुंदर रचना। बिहसि कृपानिधि बोले बचना।। परम रम्य उत्तम यह धरनी। महिमा अमित जाइ नहिं बरनी।। करिहउँ इहाँ संभु थापना। मोरे हृदयँ परम कलपना।। सुनि कपीस बहु दूत पठाए। मुनिबर सकल बोलि लै आए।। लिंग थापि बिधिवत करि पूजा। सिव समान प्रिय मोहि न दूजा।। सिव द्रोही मम भगत कहावा। सो नर सपनेहुँ मोहि न पावा।। संकर बिमुख भगति चह मोरी। सो नारकी मूढ़ मति थोरी।।
The monkeys brought enormous mountains, which Nala and Nila handled like balls in play. Seeing the bridge's most beautiful construction, Kripanidhi smiled and spoke these words: 'This is supremely beautiful and excellent land, whose infinite glory cannot be described. I shall establish Shiva's shrine here. This is the supreme desire in my heart.' Hearing this, Sugriva sent many messengers and called all the great sages to come. Having established the Shivalinga and worshipped with proper rites, Rama declared that none is as dear to Him as Shiva. One who is hostile to Shiva yet claims to be my devotee: such a person cannot reach me even in dreams. One who turns away from Shankara yet desires my bhakti is a fool of little understanding, destined for sorrow.