The Ocean Appears, and the Cosmic Army Pauses to Gather Fruit
Sundara Kanda, Doha 35
Doha 35 · Movement 3 of 3
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After the roaring march, the treasury of compassion reaches the ocean shore. Water fills the horizon before Rama, immense and unbroken, with Lanka concealed somewhere beyond its moving blue distance.
The army spreads along the coast. Countless monkeys and bears who have shaken mountains and made the foundations of the world tremble now scatter among the nearby trees. Here and there they reach into branches, gather fruit, and eat after the long journey.
The quiet simplicity does not diminish the grandeur. It gives the eye somewhere to rest within it. Rama stands before the barrier that must be crossed, while his warriors forage like travelers at evening. The sea breathes at their feet, the forest feeds them, and the next impossible labor waits beyond the waves.
At the edge of the immeasurable sea, Rama's world shaking army reaches quietly into the trees for fruit.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि जाइ कृपानिधि उतरे सागर तीर। जहँ तहँ लागे खान फल भालु बिपुल कपि बीर।।35।।
In this manner Kripaanidhi, the treasury of compassion, journeyed forth and reached the shore of the ocean. Here and there the countless valiant monkeys and bears began gathering fruits to eat.