The Army Crowds the Bridge, the Sky, and the Backs of Sea Creatures
Lanka Kanda, Doha 4
Doha 4 · Movement 2 of 2
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The bridge made for the forest host vanishes beneath the host itself. Bears and monkeys press forward in such numbers that stone, tree, and pathway can no longer contain the joyful urgency of the crossing.
Those who can rise take to the open sky, streaming above the bridge in living arcs. Others step onto the immense creatures gathered around Rama and travel upon their backs, passing over scales, shells, and dark bodies resting at the surface.
Land, water, and air all become roads toward Lanka. No formal procession can order the multitude, yet one direction holds every movement. The army that brought mountains to the shore now crosses by bridge, flight, and the willing support of the ocean's inhabitants, laughing inside the wonder Rama has made.
When devotion overflows the bridge, even sky and sea creatures become pathways toward Rama's work.
Read the passage from the Manas
सेतुबंध भइ भीर अति कपि नभ पंथ उड़ाहिं। अपर जलचरन्हि ऊपर चढ़ि चढ़ि पारहि जाहिं।।4।।
The bridge became so crowded that some monkeys flew through the sky. Others climbed on sea creatures and rode across to the other shore.