The Building of the Bridge

Shloka 1 (yuddha.22.1)

अथोवाच रघुश्रेष्ठः सागरं दारुणं वचः । अद्य त्वां शोषयिष्यामि सपातालं महार्णव ॥ 22.1 ॥

athovāca raghuśreṣṭhaḥ sāgaraṃ dāruṇaṃ vacaḥ | adya tvāṃ śoṣayiṣyāmi sapātālaṃ mahārṇava || 22.1 ||

Then the foremost of the Raghus spoke harsh words to the ocean: "This very day, O great ocean, I shall dry you up, down to your netherworld depths."

Shloka 2 (yuddha.22.2)

शरनिर्दग्धतोयस्य परिशुष्कस्य सागर । मया निहतसत्त्वस्य पांसुरुत्पद्यते महान् ॥ 22.2 ॥

śaranirdagdhatoyasya pariśuṣkasya sāgara | mayā nihatasattvasya pāṃsurutpadyate mahān || 22.2 ||

"O ocean, when your waters are burned away by my arrows, when you lie utterly parched, your creatures slain by me, a vast expanse of dust will rise where you once were."

Shloka 3 (yuddha.22.3)

मत्कार्मुकविसृष्टेन शरवर्षेण सागर । परं तीरं गमिष्यन्ति पद्भिरेव प्लवंगमाः ॥ 22.3 ॥

matkārmukavisṛṣṭena śaravarṣeṇa sāgara | paraṃ tīraṃ gamiṣyanti padbhireva plavaṃgamāḥ || 22.3 ||

"By the shower of arrows loosed from my bow, O ocean, the vanaras shall reach the farther shore on foot alone."

Shloka 4 (yuddha.22.4)

विचिन्वन्नाभिजानासि पौरुषं नापि विक्रमम् । दानवालय संतापं मत्तो नाम गमिष्यसि ॥ 22.4 ॥

vicinvannābhijānāsi pauruṣaṃ nāpi vikramam | dānavālaya saṃtāpaṃ matto nāma gamiṣyasi || 22.4 ||

"For all your searching you do not recognize my manhood or my valor, O abode of demons; surely you shall now receive great suffering at my hands."

Shloka 5 (yuddha.22.5)

ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेण संयोज्य ब्रह्मदण्डनिभं शरम् । संयोज्य धनुषि श्रेष्ठे विचकर्ष महाबलः ॥ 22.5 ॥

brāhmeṇāstreṇa saṃyojya brahmadaṇḍanibhaṃ śaram | saṃyojya dhanuṣi śreṣṭhe vicakarṣa mahābalaḥ || 22.5 ||

Fitting to his splendid bow an arrow charged with the Brahma-weapon, resembling the very rod of Brahma, the mighty Rama drew it taut.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.22.6)

तस्मिन् विकृष्टे सहसा राघवेण शरासने । रोदसी सम्पफालेव पर्वताश्च चकम्पिरे ॥ 22.6 ॥

tasmin vikṛṣṭe sahasā rāghaveṇa śarāsane | rodasī sampaphāleva parvatāśca cakampire || 22.6 ||

As that bow was suddenly drawn by Raghava, heaven and earth seemed to split apart, and the mountains trembled.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.22.7)

तमश्च लोकमावव्रे दिशश्च न चकाशिरे । प्रतिचुक्षुभिरे चाशु सरांसि सरितस्तथा ॥ 22.7 ॥

tamaśca lokamāvavre diśaśca na cakāśire | praticukṣubhire cāśu sarāṃsi saritastathā || 22.7 ||

Darkness enveloped the world, the quarters lost their light, and lakes and rivers were instantly thrown into turmoil.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.22.8)

तिर्यक् च सह नक्षत्रैः संगतौ चन्द्रभास्करौ । भास्करांशुभिरादीप्तं तमसा च समावृतम् ॥ 22.8 ॥

tiryak ca saha nakṣatraiḥ saṃgatau candrabhāskarau | bhāskarāṃśubhirādīptaṃ tamasā ca samāvṛtam || 22.8 ||

The moon and sun, together with the stars, veered from their courses; though lit by the sun's rays, the sky was shrouded in darkness.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.22.9)

प्रचकाशे तदाऽऽकाशमुल्काशतविदीपितम् । अन्तरिक्षाच्च निर्घाता निर्जग्मुरतुलस्वनाः ॥ 22.9 ॥

pracakāśe tadā''kāśamulkāśatavidīpitam | antarikṣācca nirghātā nirjagmuratulasvanāḥ || 22.9 ||

The sky then blazed, lit by hundreds of meteors, while from the firmament thunderbolts crashed forth with an incomparable roar.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.22.10)

वपुःप्रकर्षेण ववुर्दिव्यमारुतपङ्क्तयः । बभञ्ज च तदा वृक्षाञ्जलदानुद्वहन्मुहुः ॥ 22.10 ॥

vapuḥprakarṣeṇa vavurdivyamārutapaṅktayaḥ | babhañja ca tadā vṛkṣāñjaladānudvahanmuhuḥ || 22.10 ||

Ranks of celestial winds blew, colossal in their power, and again and again bore off the very clouds, shattering the trees.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.22.11)

आरुजंश्चैव शैलाग्रान् शिखराणि बभञ्ज च । दिवि च स्म महामेघाः संहताः समहास्वनाः ॥ 22.11 ॥

ārujaṃścaiva śailāgrān śikharāṇi babhañja ca | divi ca sma mahāmeghāḥ saṃhatāḥ samahāsvanāḥ || 22.11 ||

They tore at mountain-peaks and shattered their crests; and in the sky, great clouds massed together with tremendous roaring.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.22.12)

मुमुचुर्वैद्युतानग्नींस्ते महाशनयस्तदा । यानि भूतानि दृश्यानि चुक्रुशुश्चाशनेः समम् ॥ 22.12 ॥

mumucurvaidyutānagnīṃste mahāśanayastadā | yāni bhūtāni dṛśyāni cukruśuścāśaneḥ samam || 22.12 ||

Those great thunderbolts then let loose flashes of lightning-fire, and all the visible creatures cried out along with the thunder.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.22.13)

अदृश्यानि च भूतानि मुमुचुर्भैरवस्वनम् । शिश्यिरे चाभिभूतानि संत्रस्तान्युद्विजन्ति च ॥ 22.13 ॥

adṛśyāni ca bhūtāni mumucurbhairavasvanam | śiśyire cābhibhūtāni saṃtrastānyudvijanti ca || 22.13 ||

The invisible beings too let out fearsome cries; overwhelmed and terrified, they lay prostrate, trembling in dread.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.22.14)

सम्प्रविव्यथिरे चापि न च पस्पन्दिरे भयात् । सह भूतैः सतोयोर्मिः सनागः सहराक्षसः ॥ 22.14 ॥

sampravivyathire cāpi na ca paspandire bhayāt | saha bhūtaiḥ satoyormiḥ sanāgaḥ saharākṣasaḥ || 22.14 ||

They were sorely afflicted and could not stir for fear — together with all beings, and with its waves and waters, its serpents and its demons —

Shloka 15 (yuddha.22.15)

सहसाभूत् ततो वेगाद् भीमवेगो महोदधिः । योजनं व्यतिचक्राम वेलामन्यत्र सम्प्लवात् ॥ 22.15 ॥

sahasābhūt tato vegād bhīmavego mahodadhiḥ | yojanaṃ vyaticakrāma velāmanyatra samplavāt || 22.15 ||

—the great ocean suddenly surged with terrific force, and from that flooding surge overran its shore by a full yojana in places.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.22.16)

तं तथा समतिक्रान्तं नातिचक्राम राघवः । समुद्धतममित्रघ्नो रामो नदनदीपतिम् ॥ 22.16 ॥

taṃ tathā samatikrāntaṃ nāticakrāma rāghavaḥ | samuddhatamamitraghno rāmo nadanadīpatim || 22.16 ||

Yet Rama, the slayer of foes, did not himself overstep that lord of rivers and streams, even though it had so risen and transgressed its bounds.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.22.17)

ततो मध्यात् समुद्रस्य सागरः स्वयमुत्थितः । उदयाद्रिमहाशैलान्मेरोरिव दिवाकरः ॥ 22.17 ॥

tato madhyāt samudrasya sāgaraḥ svayamutthitaḥ | udayādrimahāśailānmeroriva divākaraḥ || 22.17 ||

Then, from the midst of the sea, the Ocean himself rose up, as the sun rises from the great mountain of Udayagiri, or from Meru.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.22.18)

पन्नगैः सह दीप्तास्यैः समुद्रः प्रत्यदृश्यत । स्निग्धवैदूर्यसंकाशो जाम्बूनदविभूषणः ॥ 22.18 ॥

pannagaiḥ saha dīptāsyaiḥ samudraḥ pratyadṛśyata | snigdhavaidūryasaṃkāśo jāmbūnadavibhūṣaṇaḥ || 22.18 ||

The ocean appeared with serpents of blazing mouths at his side, gleaming like polished beryl, adorned with ornaments of river-gold.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.22.19)

रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरः पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणः । सर्वपुष्पमयीं दिव्यां शिरसा धारयन् स्रजम् ॥ 22.19 ॥

raktamālyāmbaradharaḥ padmapatranibhekṣaṇaḥ | sarvapuṣpamayīṃ divyāṃ śirasā dhārayan srajam || 22.19 ||

Clad in red garlands and vestments, his eyes like lotus petals, he bore upon his head a wondrous garland woven of every flower.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.22.20)

जातरूपमयैश्चैव तपनीयविभूषणैः । आत्मजानां च रत्नानां भूषितो भूषणोत्तमैः ॥ 22.20 ॥

jātarūpamayaiścaiva tapanīyavibhūṣaṇaiḥ | ātmajānāṃ ca ratnānāṃ bhūṣito bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ || 22.20 ||

He was adorned with ornaments of pure gold and refined gold, decked with the finest jewels born of his own depths.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.22.21)

धातुभिर्मण्डितः शैलो विविधैर्हिमवानिव । एकावलीमध्यगतं तरलं पाण्डरप्रभम् ॥ 22.21 ॥

dhātubhirmaṇḍitaḥ śailo vividhairhimavāniva | ekāvalīmadhyagataṃ taralaṃ pāṇḍaraprabham || 22.21 ||

Like the Himalaya adorned with veins of many minerals, he wore, set in the midst of a single strand of pearls, a pale, shimmering gem,

Shloka 22 (yuddha.22.22)

विपुलेनोरसा बिभ्रत्कौस्तुभस्य सहोदरम् । आघूर्णिततरङ्गौघः कालिकानिलसंकुलः ॥ 22.22 ॥

vipulenorasā bibhratkaustubhasya sahodaram | āghūrṇitataraṅgaughaḥ kālikānilasaṃkulaḥ || 22.22 ||

—borne upon his broad chest, a very brother to the Kaustubha jewel — while floods of whirling waves surged around him, thick with storm-clouds and winds.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.22.23)

गङ्गासिन्धुप्रधानाभिरापगाभिः समावृतः । उद्वर्तितमहाग्राहः सम्भ्रान्तोरगराक्षसः ॥ 22.23 ॥

gaṅgāsindhupradhānābhirāpagābhiḥ samāvṛtaḥ | udvartitamahāgrāhaḥ sambhrāntoragarākṣasaḥ || 22.23 ||

He was surrounded by rivers, chief among them the Ganga and the Sindhu; his mighty crocodiles were flung upward, his serpents and rakshasas thrown into confusion.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.22.24)

देवतानां सुरूपाभिर्नानारूपाभिरीश्वरः । सागरः समुपक्रम्य पूर्वमामन्त्र्य वीर्यवान् ॥ 22.24 ॥

devatānāṃ surūpābhirnānārūpābhirīśvaraḥ | sāgaraḥ samupakramya pūrvamāmantrya vīryavān || 22.24 ||

That mighty lord Sagara, of manifold forms as beautiful as the deities' own, approached and addressed Rama first,

Shloka 25 (yuddha.22.25)

अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं राघवं शरपाणिनम् ॥ 22.25 ॥

abravīt prāñjalirvākyaṃ rāghavaṃ śarapāṇinam || 22.25 ||

—joining his palms, he spoke these words to Raghava, who stood with arrow in hand:

Shloka 26 (yuddha.22.26)

पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिश्च राघव । स्वभावे सौम्य तिष्ठन्ति शाश्वतं मार्गमाश्रिताः ॥ 22.26 ॥

pṛthivī vāyurākāśamāpo jyotiśca rāghava | svabhāve saumya tiṣṭhanti śāśvataṃ mārgamāśritāḥ || 22.26 ||

"Earth, wind, sky, water, and light, O gentle Raghava, all abide in their own nature, following an eternal path.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.22.27)

तत्स्वभावो ममाप्येष यदगाधोऽहमप्लवः । विकारस्तु भवेद् गाध एतत् ते प्रवदाम्यहम् ॥ 22.27 ॥

tatsvabhāvo mamāpyeṣa yadagādho'hamaplavaḥ | vikārastu bhaved gādha etat te pravadāmyaham || 22.27 ||

This too is my own nature — that I am fathomless and cannot be forded. Were I to become shallow, that would be a departure from my nature; this I tell you truly.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.22.28)

न कामान्न च लोभाद् वा न भयात् पार्थिवात्मज । ग्राहनक्राकुलजलं स्तम्भयेयं कथंचन ॥ 22.28 ॥

na kāmānna ca lobhād vā na bhayāt pārthivātmaja | grāhanakrākulajalaṃ stambhayeyaṃ kathaṃcana || 22.28 ||

Neither out of desire, nor greed, nor fear, O son of a king, could I ever solidify my waters, thronged as they are with crocodiles and sea-monsters.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.22.29)

विधास्ये येन गन्तासि विषहिष्येऽप्यहं तथा । न ग्राहा विधमिष्यन्ति यावत्सेना तरिष्यति । हरीणां तरणे राम करिष्यामि यथा स्थलम् ॥ 22.29 ॥

vidhāsye yena gantāsi viṣahiṣye'pyahaṃ tathā | na grāhā vidhamiṣyanti yāvatsenā tariṣyati | harīṇāṃ taraṇe rāma kariṣyāmi yathā sthalam || 22.29 ||

Yet I shall arrange a way by which you may cross, and I shall endure it: the crocodiles shall not molest you so long as your army is crossing. O Rama, I shall make my waters like solid ground for the vanaras to pass over.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.22.30)

तमब्रवीत् तदा रामः शृणु मे वरुणालय । अमोघोऽयं महाबाणः कस्मिन् देशे निपात्यताम् ॥ 22.30 ॥

tamabravīt tadā rāmaḥ śṛṇu me varuṇālaya | amogho'yaṃ mahābāṇaḥ kasmin deśe nipātyatām || 22.30 ||

Then Rama said to him: "Hear me, O abode of Varuna. This great arrow of mine can never be loosed in vain — in what region, then, should it fall?"

Shloka 31 (yuddha.22.31)

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा तं च दृष्ट्वा महाशरम् । महोदधिर्महातेजा राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 22.31 ॥

rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā taṃ ca dṛṣṭvā mahāśaram | mahodadhirmahātejā rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt || 22.31 ||

Hearing Rama's words and beholding that mighty arrow, the great and splendorous Ocean spoke these words to Raghava:

Shloka 32 (yuddha.22.32)

उत्तरेणावकाशोऽस्ति कश्चित् पुण्यतरो मम । द्रुमकुल्य इति ख्यातो लोके ख्यातो यथा भवान् ॥ 22.32 ॥

uttareṇāvakāśo'sti kaścit puṇyataro mama | drumakulya iti khyāto loke khyāto yathā bhavān || 22.32 ||

"To my north there lies a certain most sacred spot, known in the world as Drumakulya, renowned even as you yourself are renowned.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.22.33)

उग्रदर्शनकर्माणो बहवस्तत्र दस्यवः । आभीरप्रमुखाः पापाः पिबन्ति सलिलं मम ॥ 22.33 ॥

ugradarśanakarmāṇo bahavastatra dasyavaḥ | ābhīrapramukhāḥ pāpāḥ pibanti salilaṃ mama || 22.33 ||

There many robbers, fearsome in appearance and deed, wicked men led by the Abhiras, drink of my waters.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.22.34)

तैर्न तत्स्पर्शनं पापं सहेयं पापकर्मभिः । अमोघः क्रियतां राम अयं तत्र शरोत्तमः ॥ 22.34 ॥

tairna tatsparśanaṃ pāpaṃ saheyaṃ pāpakarmabhiḥ | amoghaḥ kriyatāṃ rāma ayaṃ tatra śarottamaḥ || 22.34 ||

I cannot bear the sinful touch of those evil-doers. Let this excellent arrow of yours, O Rama, be spent there, and not in vain."

Shloka 35 (yuddha.22.35)

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सागरस्य महात्मनः । मुमोच तं शरं दीप्तं परं सागरदर्शनात् ॥ 22.35 ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā sāgarasya mahātmanaḥ | mumoca taṃ śaraṃ dīptaṃ paraṃ sāgaradarśanāt || 22.35 ||

Hearing these words of the great-souled Ocean, Rama, beyond what even the ocean had asked, loosed that blazing arrow.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.22.36)

तेन तन्मरुकान्तारं पृथिव्यां किल विश्रुतम् । निपातितः शरो यत्र वज्राशनिसमप्रभः ॥ 22.36 ॥

tena tanmarukāntāraṃ pṛthivyāṃ kila viśrutam | nipātitaḥ śaro yatra vajrāśanisamaprabhaḥ || 22.36 ||

By that arrow was formed the desert wilderness renowned on earth as Maru, the place where that shaft, radiant as Indra's thunderbolt, fell.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.22.37)

ननाद च तदा तत्र वसुधा शल्यपीडिता । तस्माद् व्रणमुखात् तोयमुत्पपात रसातलात् ॥ 22.37 ॥

nanāda ca tadā tatra vasudhā śalyapīḍitā | tasmād vraṇamukhāt toyamutpapāta rasātalāt || 22.37 ||

The earth there cried out, pierced by that shaft, and from the mouth of that wound water leapt up from the netherworld below.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.22.38)

स बभूव तदा कूपो व्रण इत्येव विश्रुतः । सततं चोत्थितं तोयं समुद्रस्येव दृश्यते ॥ 22.38 ॥

sa babhūva tadā kūpo vraṇa ityeva viśrutaḥ | satataṃ cotthitaṃ toyaṃ samudrasyeva dṛśyate || 22.38 ||

That spot became a well, renowned by the very name "Vrana" (the wound); and water continually rises there, as if it were of the sea itself.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.22.39)

अवदारणशब्दश्च दारुणः समपद्यत । तस्मात् तद् बाणपातेन अपः कुक्षिष्वशोषयत् ॥ 22.39 ॥

avadāraṇaśabdaśca dāruṇaḥ samapadyata | tasmāt tad bāṇapātena apaḥ kukṣiṣvaśoṣayat || 22.39 ||

A terrible sound of splitting arose there; and by the falling of that arrow, the waters within its cavities were dried up.

Shloka 40 (yuddha.22.40)

विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु मरुकान्तारमेव च । शोषयित्वा तु तं कुक्षिं रामो दशरथात्मजः ॥ 22.40 ॥

vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu marukāntārameva ca | śoṣayitvā tu taṃ kukṣiṃ rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ || 22.40 ||

Thus, having dried up that hollow, Rama, son of Dasharatha, gave it the name renowned in all three worlds as the wilderness of Maru.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.22.41)

वरं तस्मै ददौ विद्वान् मरवेऽमरविक्रमः ॥ 22.41 ॥

varaṃ tasmai dadau vidvān marave'maravikramaḥ || 22.41 ||

And that wise one, of valor equal to the immortals, granted a boon to that land of Maru:

Shloka 42 (yuddha.22.42)

पशव्यश्चाल्परोगश्च फलमूलरसायुतः । बहुस्नेहो बहुक्षीरः सुगन्धिर्विविधौषधिः ॥ 22.42 ॥

paśavyaścālparogaśca phalamūlarasāyutaḥ | bahusneho bahukṣīraḥ sugandhirvividhauṣadhiḥ || 22.42 ||

—that it should be fit for cattle, free from much disease, rich in fruits and roots and juices, abounding in ghee and milk, fragrant, and filled with manifold herbs.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.22.43)

एवमेतैश्च संयुक्तो बहुभिः संयुतो मरुः । रामस्य वरदानाच्च शिवः पन्था बभूव ह ॥ 22.43 ॥

evametaiśca saṃyukto bahubhiḥ saṃyuto maruḥ | rāmasya varadānācca śivaḥ panthā babhūva ha || 22.43 ||

Thus endowed with these many blessings, the land of Maru, through Rama's boon, became a safe and auspicious pathway indeed.

Shloka 44 (yuddha.22.44)

तस्मिन् दग्धे तदा कुक्षौ समुद्रः सरितां पतिः । राघवं सर्वशास्त्रज्ञमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 22.44 ॥

tasmin dagdhe tadā kukṣau samudraḥ saritāṃ patiḥ | rāghavaṃ sarvaśāstrajñamidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 22.44 ||

Then, when that hollow had been thus scorched, the Ocean, lord of rivers, spoke these words to Raghava, who was versed in every science:

Shloka 45 (yuddha.22.45)

अयं सौम्य नलो नाम तनयो विश्वकर्मणः । पित्रा दत्तवरः श्रीमान् प्रीतिमान् विश्वकर्मणः ॥ 22.45 ॥

ayaṃ saumya nalo nāma tanayo viśvakarmaṇaḥ | pitrā dattavaraḥ śrīmān prītimān viśvakarmaṇaḥ || 22.45 ||

"O gentle one, this is Nala, the glorious son of Vishvakarma, granted a boon by his father, dear to Vishvakarma's own heart.

Shloka 46 (yuddha.22.46)

एष सेतुं महोत्साहः करोतु मयि वानरः । तमहं धारयिष्यामि यथा ह्येष पिता तथा ॥ 22.46 ॥

eṣa setuṃ mahotsāhaḥ karotu mayi vānaraḥ | tamahaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi yathā hyeṣa pitā tathā || 22.46 ||

Let this vanara, so full of zeal, build a bridge upon me; I shall bear it up, just as his father would have done."

Shloka 47 (yuddha.22.47)

एवमुक्त्वोदधिर्नष्टः समुत्थाय नलस्ततः । अब्रवीद् वानरश्रेष्ठो वाक्यं रामं महाबलम् ॥ 22.47 ॥

evamuktvodadhirnaṣṭaḥ samutthāya nalastataḥ | abravīd vānaraśreṣṭho vākyaṃ rāmaṃ mahābalam || 22.47 ||

So saying, the Ocean vanished. Then Nala, the foremost of vanaras, rose up and spoke these words to the mighty Rama:

Shloka 48 (yuddha.22.48)

अहं सेतुं करिष्यामि विस्तीर्णे मकरालये । पितुः सामर्थ्यमासाद्य तत्त्वमाह महोदधिः ॥ 22.48 ॥

ahaṃ setuṃ kariṣyāmi vistīrṇe makarālaye | pituḥ sāmarthyamāsādya tattvamāha mahodadhiḥ || 22.48 ||

"I shall build a bridge across this vast abode of sea-monsters, relying on my father's own skill. The great ocean has spoken truly."

Shloka 49 (yuddha.22.49)

दण्ड एव वरो लोके पुरुषस्येति मे मतिः । धिक् क्षमामकृतज्ञेषु सान्त्वं दानमथापि वा ॥ 22.49 ॥

daṇḍa eva varo loke puruṣasyeti me matiḥ | dhik kṣamāmakṛtajñeṣu sāntvaṃ dānamathāpi vā || 22.49 ||

"Force alone is the highest resort for a man in this world — such is my conviction. Shame on forbearance, gentle words, or gifts shown to the ungrateful."

Shloka 50 (yuddha.22.50)

अयं हि सागरो भीमः सेतुकर्मदिदृक्षया । ददौ दण्डभयाद् गाधं राघवाय महोदधिः ॥ 22.50 ॥

ayaṃ hi sāgaro bhīmaḥ setukarmadidṛkṣayā | dadau daṇḍabhayād gādhaṃ rāghavāya mahodadhiḥ || 22.50 ||

"For this formidable ocean, the great sea, out of fear of chastisement — and eager to see the bridge built — has granted Raghava a fordable passage."

Shloka 51 (yuddha.22.51)

मम मातुर्वरो दत्तो मन्दरे विश्वकर्मणा । मया तु सदृशः पुत्रस्तव देवि भविष्यति ॥ 22.51 ॥

mama māturvaro datto mandare viśvakarmaṇā | mayā tu sadṛśaḥ putrastava devi bhaviṣyati || 22.51 ||

"On Mount Mandara, Vishvakarma granted my mother this boon: 'O goddess, a son equal to myself shall be born to you.'

Shloka 52 (yuddha.22.52)

औरसस्तस्य पुत्रोऽहं सदृशो विश्वकर्मणा । स्मारितोऽस्म्यहमेतेन तत्त्वमाह महोदधिः । न चाप्यहमनुक्तो वः प्रब्रूयामात्मनो गुणान् ॥ 22.52 ॥

aurasastasya putro'haṃ sadṛśo viśvakarmaṇā | smārito'smyahametena tattvamāha mahodadhiḥ | na cāpyahamanukto vaḥ prabrūyāmātmano guṇān || 22.52 ||

I am his own true son, equal to Vishvakarma; and I have now been reminded of this by the great Ocean, who has spoken the truth. Otherwise, unasked, I would not have proclaimed my own merits to you."

Shloka 53 (yuddha.22.53)

समर्थश्चाप्यहं सेतुं कर्तुं वै वरुणालये । तस्मादद्यैव बध्नन्तु सेतुं वानरपुङ्गवाः ॥ 22.53 ॥

samarthaścāpyahaṃ setuṃ kartuṃ vai varuṇālaye | tasmādadyaiva badhnantu setuṃ vānarapuṅgavāḥ || 22.53 ||

"I am indeed capable of building a bridge across Varuna's abode. Therefore, let the foremost of vanaras begin building the bridge this very day."

Shloka 54 (yuddha.22.54)

ततो विसृष्टा रामेण सर्वतो हरिपुङ्गवाः । उत्पेततुर्महारण्यं हृष्टाः शतसहस्रशः ॥ 22.54 ॥

tato visṛṣṭā rāmeṇa sarvato haripuṅgavāḥ | utpetaturmahāraṇyaṃ hṛṣṭāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ || 22.54 ||

Then, released by Rama, the foremost vanaras, hundreds of thousands strong, sprang up in joy on every side into the great forest.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.22.55)

ते नगान् नगसंकाशाः शाखामृगगणर्षभाः । बभञ्जुः पादपांस्तत्र प्रचकर्षुश्च सागरम् ॥ 22.55 ॥

te nagān nagasaṃkāśāḥ śākhāmṛgagaṇarṣabhāḥ | babhañjuḥ pādapāṃstatra pracakarṣuśca sāgaram || 22.55 ||

Those bull-like chiefs of the monkey-tribes, themselves resembling mountains, tore up the mountains and the trees there, and dragged them toward the ocean.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.22.56)

ते सालैश्चाश्वकर्णैश्च धवैर्वंशैश्च वानराः । कुटजैरर्जुनैस्तालैस्तिलकैस्तिनिशैरपि ॥ 22.56 ॥

te sālaiścāśvakarṇaiśca dhavairvaṃśaiśca vānarāḥ | kuṭajairarjunaistālaistilakaistiniśairapi || 22.56 ||

Those vanaras, with sala and ashvakarna trees, with dhava and bamboo, with kutaja, arjuna, palm, tilaka and tinisha trees,

Shloka 57 (yuddha.22.57)

बिल्वकैः सप्तपर्णैश्च कर्णिकारैश्च पुष्पितैः । चूतैश्चाशोकवृक्षैश्च सागरं समपूरयन् ॥ 22.57 ॥

bilvakaiḥ saptaparṇaiśca karṇikāraiśca puṣpitaiḥ | cūtaiścāśokavṛkṣaiśca sāgaraṃ samapūrayan || 22.57 ||

with bilva and saptaparna, with flowering karnikara, with mango trees and ashoka trees, filled up the ocean.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.22.58)

समूलांश्च विमूलांश्च पादपान् हरिसत्तमाः । इन्द्रकेतूनिवोद्यम्य प्रजह्रुर्वानरास्तरून् ॥ 22.58 ॥

samūlāṃśca vimūlāṃśca pādapān harisattamāḥ | indraketūnivodyamya prajahrurvānarāstarūn || 22.58 ||

The finest of the vanaras, lifting trees roots and all, or stripped of their roots, hurled them in like the raised standards of Indra.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.22.59)

तालान् दाडिमगुल्मांश्च नारिकेलविभीतकान् । करीरान् बकुलान् निम्बान् समाजह्रुरितस्ततः ॥ 22.59 ॥

tālān dāḍimagulmāṃśca nārikelavibhītakān | karīrān bakulān nimbān samājahruritastataḥ || 22.59 ||

Palm trees and pomegranate shrubs, coconut and vibhitaka trees, karira, bakula, and neem trees — these they gathered from every side.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.22.60)

हस्तिमात्रान् महाकायाः पाषाणांश्च महाबलाः । पर्वतांश्च समुत्पाट्य यन्त्रैः परिवहन्ति च ॥ 22.60 ॥

hastimātrān mahākāyāḥ pāṣāṇāṃśca mahābalāḥ | parvatāṃśca samutpāṭya yantraiḥ parivahanti ca || 22.60 ||

The huge-bodied, mighty vanaras uprooted boulders as large as elephants, and whole mountains, and carried them across using contrivances.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.22.61)

प्रक्षिप्यमाणैरचलैः सहसा जलमुद्धृतम् । समुत्ससर्प चाकाशमवासर्पत् ततः पुनः ॥ 22.61 ॥

prakṣipyamāṇairacalaiḥ sahasā jalamuddhṛtam | samutsasarpa cākāśamavāsarpat tataḥ punaḥ || 22.61 ||

As the mountains were suddenly hurled in, the water was flung upward, surging into the sky and then falling back down again.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.22.62)

समुद्रं क्षोभयामासुर्निपतन्तः समन्ततः । सूत्राण्यन्ये प्रगृह्णन्ति ह्यायतं शतयोजनम् ॥ 22.62 ॥

samudraṃ kṣobhayāmāsurnipatantaḥ samantataḥ | sūtrāṇyanye pragṛhṇanti hyāyataṃ śatayojanam || 22.62 ||

Falling on every side, the boulders churned up the ocean; while others held taut cords stretched a full hundred yojanas long, to mark the line.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.22.63)

नलश्चक्रे महासेतुं मध्ये नदनदीपतेः । स तदा क्रियते सेतुर्वानरैर्घोरकर्मभिः ॥ 22.63 ॥

nalaścakre mahāsetuṃ madhye nadanadīpateḥ | sa tadā kriyate seturvānarairghorakarmabhiḥ || 22.63 ||

Nala began the great bridge in the very midst of the lord of rivers and streams; and thus that bridge was built by the vanaras of fearsome labors.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.22.64)

दण्डानन्ये प्रगृह्णन्ति विचिन्वन्ति तथापरे । वानरैः शतशस्तत्र रामस्याज्ञापुरःसरैः ॥ 22.64 ॥

daṇḍānanye pragṛhṇanti vicinvanti tathāpare | vānaraiḥ śataśastatra rāmasyājñāpuraḥsaraiḥ || 22.64 ||

Some held the measuring rods, others gathered materials; hundreds of vanaras, guided always by Rama's own command, labored there.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.22.65)

मेघाभैः पर्वताभैश्च तृणैः काष्ठैर्बबन्धिरे । पुष्पिताग्रैश्च तरुभिः सेतुं बघ्नन्ति वानराः ॥ 22.65 ॥

meghābhaiḥ parvatābhaiśca tṛṇaiḥ kāṣṭhairbabandhire | puṣpitāgraiśca tarubhiḥ setuṃ baghnanti vānarāḥ || 22.65 ||

With cloud-like and mountain-like masses of reeds and logs they bound it fast, and with flowering-crowned trees the vanaras built the bridge.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.22.66)

पाषाणांश्च गिरिप्रख्यान् गिरीणां शिखराणि च । दृश्यन्ते परिधावन्तो गृह्य दानवसंनिभाः ॥ 22.66 ॥

pāṣāṇāṃśca giriprakhyān girīṇāṃ śikharāṇi ca | dṛśyante paridhāvanto gṛhya dānavasaṃnibhāḥ || 22.66 ||

Seizing boulders like mountains, and the very peaks of mountains, they were seen running about, resembling demons in their power.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.22.67)

शिलानां क्षिप्यमाणानां शैलानां तत्र पात्यताम् । बभूव तुमुलः शब्दस्तदा तस्मिन् महोदधौ ॥ 22.67 ॥

śilānāṃ kṣipyamāṇānāṃ śailānāṃ tatra pātyatām | babhūva tumulaḥ śabdastadā tasmin mahodadhau || 22.67 ||

As boulders were flung and mountains made to fall, a tumultuous roar arose there in that great ocean.

Shloka 68 (yuddha.22.68)

कृतानि प्रथमेनाह्ना योजनानि चतुर्दश । प्रहृष्टैर्गजसंकाशैस्त्वरमाणैः प्लवङ्गमैः ॥ 22.68 ॥

kṛtāni prathamenāhnā yojanāni caturdaśa | prahṛṣṭairgajasaṃkāśaistvaramāṇaiḥ plavaṅgamaiḥ || 22.68 ||

On the first day, fourteen yojanas were completed by the vanaras, elephant-like in bulk, joyful and swift.

Shloka 69 (yuddha.22.69)

द्वितीयेन तथैवाह्ना योजनानि तु विंशतिः । कृतानि प्लवगैस्तूर्णं भीमकायैर्महाबलैः ॥ 22.69 ॥

dvitīyena tathaivāhnā yojanāni tu viṃśatiḥ | kṛtāni plavagaistūrṇaṃ bhīmakāyairmahābalaiḥ || 22.69 ||

On the second day likewise, twenty yojanas were swiftly completed by the vanaras of tremendous bulk and mighty strength.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.22.70)

अह्ना तृतीयेन तथा योजनानि तु सागरे । त्वरमाणैर्महाकायैरेकविंशतिरेव च ॥ 22.70 ॥

ahnā tṛtīyena tathā yojanāni tu sāgare | tvaramāṇairmahākāyairekaviṃśatireva ca || 22.70 ||

On the third day, in the ocean, twenty-one yojanas were completed by the huge-bodied vanaras, working with speed.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.22.71)

चतुर्थेन तथा चाह्ना द्वाविंशतिरथापि वा । योजनानि महावेगैः कृतानि त्वरितैस्ततः ॥ 22.71 ॥

caturthena tathā cāhnā dvāviṃśatirathāpi vā | yojanāni mahāvegaiḥ kṛtāni tvaritaistataḥ || 22.71 ||

On the fourth day, twenty-two yojanas more were completed by those swift, tremendously speedy vanaras.

Shloka 72 (yuddha.22.72)

पञ्चमेन तथा चाह्ना प्लवगैः क्षिप्रकारिभिः । योजनानि त्रयोविंशत् सुवेलमधिकृत्य वै ॥ 22.72 ॥

pañcamena tathā cāhnā plavagaiḥ kṣiprakāribhiḥ | yojanāni trayoviṃśat suvelamadhikṛtya vai || 22.72 ||

And on the fifth day, the swift-working vanaras completed twenty-three yojanas, reaching all the way to Mount Suvela.

Shloka 73 (yuddha.22.73)

स वानरवरः श्रीमान् विश्वकर्मात्मजो बली । बबन्ध सागरे सेतुं यथा चास्य पिता तथा ॥ 22.73 ॥

sa vānaravaraḥ śrīmān viśvakarmātmajo balī | babandha sāgare setuṃ yathā cāsya pitā tathā || 22.73 ||

That glorious and mighty vanara, the son of Vishvakarma, thus built the bridge across the ocean, just as his father would have done.

Shloka 74 (yuddha.22.74)

स नलेन कृतः सेतुः सागरे मकरालये । शुशुभे सुभगः श्रीमान् स्वातीपथ इवाम्बरे ॥ 22.74 ॥

sa nalena kṛtaḥ setuḥ sāgare makarālaye | śuśubhe subhagaḥ śrīmān svātīpatha ivāmbare || 22.74 ||

That fortunate and glorious bridge, built by Nala across the ocean, the abode of sea-monsters, shone forth like the Milky Way in the heavens.

Shloka 75 (yuddha.22.75)

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । आगम्य गगने तस्थुर्द्रष्टुकामास्तदद्भुतम् ॥ 22.75 ॥

tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ | āgamya gagane tasthurdraṣṭukāmāstadadbhutam || 22.75 ||

Then the gods together with the gandharvas, the siddhas and the great sages, came and stood in the sky, eager to behold that wonder.

Shloka 76 (yuddha.22.76)

दशयोजनविस्तीर्णं शतयोजनमायतम् । ददृशुर्देवगन्धर्वा नलसेतुं सुदुष्करम् ॥ 22.76 ॥

daśayojanavistīrṇaṃ śatayojanamāyatam | dadṛśurdevagandharvā nalasetuṃ suduṣkaram || 22.76 ||

The gods and gandharvas beheld Nala's bridge — ten yojanas in breadth, a hundred yojanas in length, a marvel most difficult to accomplish.

Shloka 77 (yuddha.22.77)

आप्लवन्तः प्लवन्तश्च गर्जन्तश्च प्लवंगमाः । तमचिन्त्यमसह्यं च ह्यद्भुतं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ 22.77 ॥

āplavantaḥ plavantaśca garjantaśca plavaṃgamāḥ | tamacintyamasahyaṃ ca hyadbhutaṃ lomaharṣaṇam || 22.77 ||

Bounding, leaping, and roaring, the vanaras beheld that inconceivable, overwhelming, wondrous, hair-raising sight —

Shloka 78 (yuddha.22.78)

ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि सागरे सेतुबन्धनम् । तानि कोटिसहस्राणि वानराणां महौजसाम् ॥ 22.78 ॥

dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni sāgare setubandhanam | tāni koṭisahasrāṇi vānarāṇāṃ mahaujasām || 22.78 ||

—all beings beheld that bridge-building in the ocean; and those thousands of crores of vanaras, of tremendous might,

Shloka 79 (yuddha.22.79)

बध्नन्तः सागरे सेतुं जग्मुः पारं महोदधेः । विशालः सुकृतः श्रीमान् सुभूमिः सुसमाहितः ॥ 22.79 ॥

badhnantaḥ sāgare setuṃ jagmuḥ pāraṃ mahodadheḥ | viśālaḥ sukṛtaḥ śrīmān subhūmiḥ susamāhitaḥ || 22.79 ||

—while binding that bridge across the sea, made their way to the far shore of the great ocean. Vast, well-made, glorious, firmly founded and well set,

Shloka 80 (yuddha.22.80)

अशोभत महान् सेतुः सीमन्त इव सागरे । ततः पारे समुद्रस्य गदापाणिर्विभीषणः ॥ 22.80 ॥

aśobhata mahān setuḥ sīmanta iva sāgare | tataḥ pāre samudrasya gadāpāṇirvibhīṣaṇaḥ || 22.80 ||

—that great bridge shone in the ocean like a parting-line drawn through the hair. Then, on the far shore of the sea, Vibhishana, mace in hand,

Shloka 81 (yuddha.22.81)

परेषामभिघातार्थमतिष्ठत् सचिवैः सह । सुग्रीवस्तु ततः प्राह रामं सत्यपराक्रमम् ॥ 22.81 ॥

pareṣāmabhighātārthamatiṣṭhat sacivaiḥ saha | sugrīvastu tataḥ prāha rāmaṃ satyaparākramam || 22.81 ||

—stood ready, together with his ministers, to strike down the enemy. Then Sugriva spoke to Rama, of truthful valor:

Shloka 82 (yuddha.22.82)

हनूमन्तं त्वमारोह अङ्गदं त्वथ लक्ष्मणः । अयं हि विपुलो वीर सागरो मकरालयः ॥ 22.82 ॥

hanūmantaṃ tvamāroha aṅgadaṃ tvatha lakṣmaṇaḥ | ayaṃ hi vipulo vīra sāgaro makarālayaḥ || 22.82 ||

"Mount upon Hanuman yourself, and let Lakshmana mount upon Angada; for this ocean, O hero, this abode of sea-monsters, is vast indeed.

Shloka 83 (yuddha.22.83)

वैहायसौ युवामेतौ वानरौ धारयिष्यतः । अग्रतस्तस्य सैन्यस्य श्रीमान् रामः सलक्ष्मणः ॥ 22.83 ॥

vaihāyasau yuvāmetau vānarau dhārayiṣyataḥ | agratastasya sainyasya śrīmān rāmaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ || 22.83 ||

These two vanaras will bear you both aloft through the sky." At the head of that army went the glorious Rama, together with Lakshmana,

Shloka 84 (yuddha.22.84)

जगाम धन्वी धर्मात्मा सुग्रीवेण समन्वितः । अन्ये मध्येन गच्छन्ति पार्श्वतोऽन्ये प्लवंगमाः ॥ 22.84 ॥

jagāma dhanvī dharmātmā sugrīveṇa samanvitaḥ | anye madhyena gacchanti pārśvato'nye plavaṃgamāḥ || 22.84 ||

bow in hand, righteous of soul, accompanied by Sugriva, went forward. Some vanaras went through the middle, others along the sides,

Shloka 85 (yuddha.22.85)

सलिलं प्रपतन्त्यन्ये मार्गमन्ये प्रपेदिरे । केचिद् वैहायसगताः सुपर्णा इव पुप्लुवुः ॥ 22.85 ॥

salilaṃ prapatantyanye mārgamanye prapedire | kecid vaihāyasagatāḥ suparṇā iva pupluvuḥ || 22.85 ||

some plunged into the water, others took the pathway; while some, taking to the sky, soared like Garuda, the eagle.

Shloka 86 (yuddha.22.86)

घोषेण महता घोषं सागरस्य समुच्छ्रितम् । भीममन्तर्दधे भीमा तरन्ती हरिवाहिनी ॥ 22.86 ॥

ghoṣeṇa mahatā ghoṣaṃ sāgarasya samucchritam | bhīmamantardadhe bhīmā tarantī harivāhinī || 22.86 ||

With their tremendous roar, that fearsome host of vanaras, as it crossed, drowned out the fearsome, towering roar of the ocean itself.

Shloka 87 (yuddha.22.87)

वानराणां हि सा तीर्णा वाहिनी नलसेतुना । तीरे निविविशे राज्ञो बहुमूलफलोदके ॥ 22.87 ॥

vānarāṇāṃ hi sā tīrṇā vāhinī nalasetunā | tīre niviviśe rājño bahumūlaphalodake || 22.87 ||

That vast host of vanaras, having crossed by Nala's bridge, encamped on the shore of the king, a land rich in roots, fruits, and water.

Shloka 88 (yuddha.22.88)

तदद्भुतं राघवकर्म दुष्करं समीक्ष्य देवाः सह सिद्धचारणैः । उपेत्य रामं सहसा महर्षिभि- स्तमभ्यषिञ्चन् सुशुभैर्जलैः पृथक् ॥ 22.88 ॥

tadadbhutaṃ rāghavakarma duṣkaraṃ samīkṣya devāḥ saha siddhacāraṇaiḥ | upetya rāmaṃ sahasā maharṣibhi- stamabhyaṣiñcan suśubhairjalaiḥ pṛthak || 22.88 ||

Beholding that wondrous and arduous feat of Raghava, the gods, together with the siddhas and charanas and the great sages, at once approached Rama and anointed him, each with the most auspicious waters.

Shloka 89 (yuddha.22.89)

जयस्व शत्रून् नरदेव मेदिनीं ससागरां पालय शाश्वतीः समाः । इतीव रामं नरदेवसत्कृतं शुभैर्वचोभिर्विविधैरपूजयन् ॥ 22.89 ॥

jayasva śatrūn naradeva medinīṃ sasāgarāṃ pālaya śāśvatīḥ samāḥ | itīva rāmaṃ naradevasatkṛtaṃ śubhairvacobhirvividhairapūjayan || 22.89 ||

"Conquer your enemies, O lord of men, and rule this earth with its oceans for eternal years!" — with such auspicious and manifold words did they honor Rama, that king revered by kings.