Rama Smiles and Asks the Ocean to Reveal the Way Across
Sundara Kanda, Doha 59
Doha 59 · Movement 2 of 2
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The ocean's frightened confession settles upon the shore. The bow remains strung, the terrible arrow still holds its fire, and all the water creatures feel the power before which their lord has finally bowed.
Rama hears the humble words and the compassionate face changes. Anger has completed its work without losing its place within mercy. The Lord smiles at the ocean who now speaks as servant rather than obstacle.
Tell me, dear one, by what means may the monkey army cross? Rama invites practical counsel from the very element he could have emptied. Behind him wait Nala, Nila, Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan, and the uncountable host. Before them the first unseen line of the great bridge is about to rise from an answer.
The Sundara Kanda closes with Rama's smile opening a road where the ocean had shown only depth.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनत बिनीत बचन अति कह कृपाल मुसुकाइ। जेहि बिधि उतरै कपि कटकु तात सो कहहु उपाइ।।59।।
Hearing these most humble words, the compassionate Lord smiled and said: "Tell me, dear one, by what means may the monkey army cross over?"