The Completed Bridge Draws the Creatures of the Deep to Rama
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 4
Doha 4 · Movement 1 of 2
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The bridge stands firm across the sea and pleases the heart of the treasury of compassion. The army begins its indescribable march. Monkey warriors roar in companies while Rama climbs upon the stone road and gazes across the abundance of water.
At that compassionate glance, the hidden world below rises. Crocodiles, serpents, and fish of every kind emerge, some stretching a hundred yojanas. Creatures mighty enough to devour others appear beside beings before whom even those predators tremble.
Yet hunger and fear fall away in darshan. All stare at Hari and cannot turn aside even when pressed. Their bodies cover the surface so completely that water disappears beneath them. Absorbed in Rama's form, the ocean itself becomes a living gallery of upturned eyes. Then the command passes through the host, and the immeasurable army advances.
As Rama walks above the sea, its oldest creatures rise from darkness to behold him.
Read the passage from the Manas
बाँधि सेतु अति सुदृढ़ बनावा। देखि कृपानिधि के मन भावा।। चली सेन कछु बरनि न जाई। गर्जहिं मर्कट भट समुदाई।। सेतुबंध ढिग चढ़ि रघुराई। चितव कृपाल सिंधु बहुताई।। देखन कहुँ प्रभु करुना कंदा। प्रगट भए सब जलचर बृंदा।। मकर नक्र नाना झष ब्याला। सत जोजन तन परम बिसाला।। अइसेउ एक तिन्हहि जे खाहीं। एकन्ह कें डर तेपि डेराहीं।। प्रभुहि बिलोकहिं टरहिं न टारे। मन हरषित सब भए सुखारे।। तिन्ह की ओट न देखिअ बारी। मगन भए हरि रूप निहारी।। चला कटकु प्रभु आयसु पाई। को कहि सक कपि दल बिपुलाई।।
Having built the bridge, strong and firm, the sight pleased the heart of Kripanidhi. The army marched forth in a manner beyond description, with hosts of vaanara warriors roaring thunderously. Climbing upon the bridge, Lord Raghurai gazed compassionately at the vast expanse of the ocean. To behold the Lord who is the source of compassion, all the aquatic creatures rose to the surface. Crocodiles, great serpents, and fish of every kind, with bodies a hundred yojanas long, supremely vast. Even those who would devour such creatures trembled in fear of these mighty ones. Beholding the Lord, they could not move away. All became joyful and filled with happiness. Due to their sheer numbers, the water could not be seen, as they became absorbed in gazing upon Hari's divine form. Receiving the Lord's command, the army advanced. Who can describe the vastness of that vaanara host?