Lanka Kaanda
163 - Bridging of the ocean by Nala and Nila; Sri Rama's installation of Sri Ramesvara
Chaupais
Description
"It will take no time to cross this insignificant sea!" Hearing this, the son of the wind-god added : "My lord's glory is a great submarine fire that had long since sucked up the water of the ocean. But it was filled again by the flood of tears shed by Your enemies' wives; that is how it came to be salt in taste." When the monkeys present there heard this hyperbolic remark made by the son of the wind-god, they gazed on the person of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus) and smiled. Jambavan called the two brothers, Nala and Nila, and related to them the whole story. "Calling to mind the glory of Sri Rama start building the bridge and you will experience no difficulty." He then called the monkey troops and said, "Hear, all of you, a small request of mine. Enshrine in your heart the lotus-feet of Sri Rama and engage yourself in a sport, bears and monkeys all. Go forth, you formidable monkey troops and bring heaps of trees and mountains." On hearing this command the monkeys and bear set forth hurrahing and exclaiming, "Glory to the almighty Hero of Raghu's race!"