Rama Makes the Bridge and Shrine Into Crossings Beyond the World
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 3
Doha 3 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama extends the sanctity of Rameshwaram beyond the hour of war. Those who behold the shrine will leave the body for his divine abode. Those who bring Ganga water and offer it there will receive union with the Divine. Whoever serves without desire or deceit will receive devotion to Rama through Shankara.
The physical bridge also becomes an inward promise. Whoever beholds the passage Rama has made will cross the ocean of worldly becoming without struggle. The sages receive these words with joy and return to their hermitages. Shiva tells Girija that Raghupati's way is constant love for those who bow before him.
Nala and Nila continue their work, and grace carries their fame across the worlds. Stones that naturally sink, taking other things down with them, become boats upon the sea. The wonder belongs neither to water, rock, nor monkey strength. Every floating surface silently declares the glory of Rama.
The bridge bears an army over water, while Rama's promise bears generations beyond birth and death.
Read the passage from the Manas
जे रामेस्वर दरसनु करिहहिं। ते तनु तजि मम लोक सिधरिहहिं।। जो गंगाजलु आनि चढ़ाइहि। सो साजुज्य मुक्ति नर पाइहि।। होइ अकाम जो छल तजि सेइहि। भगति मोरि तेहि संकर देइहि।। मम कृत सेतु जो दरसनु करिही। सो बिनु श्रम भवसागर तरिही।। राम बचन सब के जिय भाए। मुनिबर निज निज आश्रम आए।। गिरिजा रघुपति कै यह रीती। संतत करहिं प्रनत पर प्रीती।। बाँधा सेतु नील नल नागर। राम कृपाँ जसु भयउ उजागर।। बूड़हिं आनहि बोरहिं जेई। भए उपल बोहित सम तेई।। महिमा यह न जलधि कइ बरनी। पाहन गुन न कपिन्ह कइ करनी।।
Those who have darshan of Rameshwar shall leave their bodies and proceed to my divine abode. Whoever brings Ganga water and offers it here shall attain sayujya mukti, complete union with the Divine. One who serves without desire and abandoning deceit: to him, Shankar shall grant devotion to me. Whoever has darshan of this bridge built by me shall cross the ocean of samsara without effort. Rama's words pleased the hearts of all, and the great rishis returned to their hermitages. O Girija, this is the way of Raghupati: he constantly shows love to those who bow before him. The skilled Nila and Nala built the bridge, and by Rama's grace their fame spread across the worlds. Those stones that would normally sink and drown others became like boats upon the water. This glory belongs neither to the ocean nor to the stones, nor to the monkeys' own strength.