|| Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram ||

 

Chapter – 1 – Lanka Kandam

 

The construction of a huge bridge across the ocean/Rama arrives on the Mount Suvela

Prarthana Shloka :

 Ramam Kamarisevyam Bhavabhayaharanam Kalamaththebhasimham | Yogeendram Gnanagamyam Gunanidhimajitham Nirgunam Nirvikaram | Mayatheetham Suresham Khalavadhaniratham Bhramavrindhaika Devam | Vandhe Kandhavadhatham Sarasijanayanam Devamurveesharoopam ||

 

Shankhendhvabham Atheevasundarathanum Shardhoola Charmabaram | Kalavyala Karala Bhooshanadharam Gangashashanka Priyam | Kasheesham Kalkalmalashaugha Shamanam Kalyana Kalpadhrumam | Naumeedyam Girijapathim Gunanidhim Kandharpaham Shankaram ||

 

Yo Dhadhathi Satham Shambhu: Kaivalyamapi Dhurllabham | Khalanam Dhandakridhyoasau Shankara: Sham Thanothu Mey ||

 

I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Rama who is worshiped by Kamari/enemy of Lord Manmatha, he is the destroyer of fears and anxieties of worldly existence, he is the essence of 'Time' resembles lion to the untamed elephant, he is Yogeendra who is the essence of supreme wisdom and knowledge, he is the storehouse of virtues, he is unconquerable, he is void of Thriguna, and impassionate, he is beyond Maya, he is Lord of Lords, he is the destroyer of wicked people and protector of twice-born, he is surrounded by Lord Bhrama and deities, I shall meditate upon that supreme Lord Rama who has the complexion of dark clouds has attractive features, and beautiful eyes resemble lotus flower petals, the supreme Lord who incarnated as Bhoopathi.

 

I shall meditate upon supreme Lord Shankara, who is Girijapathi, has the luster of conch and moon, has attractive physical features, attired in the skin of a leopard, adorned in venomous serpent as ornaments all over the body, he is dearest of Ganga and Chandra, he is Lord of Kashi, he is the destroyer of woods like sins in the Kali era, he is the provider of auspiciousness like Kalpavruksha, he is a storehouse of virtues, he is the destroyer of Kandharpa/Kamadeva. The supreme Lord Shankara who is the provider of liberation from repeated births, and destroyer of wicked, kindly bless us with all the auspiciousness.

 

Oh! Mortals, why do not you meditate upon that supreme Lord Rama who is wielded in powerful Kodhanda which represent ‘time’, powerful arrows symbolize Paramanu, Lava, Nimisha, Varsha, Yuga, Kalpa is the component of ‘Time’?

 

Rama after listening to valuable suggestions of Samudradevatha called out for his Ministers and informed “ Oh! Dear ones, do not delay, construct a huge bridge across the ocean, in this way, we can reach on the other side of the ocean.” Jambava with folded hands spoke “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Ramachandra, Oh! Raghukulathilaka, your name itself is the safest ferry to cross the ocean of worldly existence; hence we do not take much time to cross this trivial ocean.” Vayuputhra speaks “Oh! Prabho, your splendor is Badavagni/forest fire that could dry up the ocean water which has filled with the tears of the wives of your enemies, that is why it tastes salty.” All those Vanaras felt immensely pleased with the words of Hanuman and admiringly looked at Raghava. Jambava called for two Vanara brothers Nala and Neela, instructed them to begin the construction of bridge contemplating upon Lord Rama. He called out for the huge Vanarasena and spoke “Oh! Vanaras and bears, kindly listen to my request, contemplate upon the lotus feet of Ramachandra and begin the construction of the bridge in pleasure, Oh! Vikatavanarans go in groups and bring huge trees and mountains to deposit into the ocean.” The Vanaras and bears cheered “Victory to Ramachandra” and enthusiastically scattered to all directions.

 

The Vanaras and bears uprooted huge trees and mountains like a sport and gave to Nala and Neela, and they began to construct the bridge across the ocean. The huge trees offered in the hands of Nala and Neela held it as a ball, the supreme Lord Kripanidhi, smiled looking at the beautiful construction of the bridge “This place is most beautiful, and has a great history, cannot describe in words, I will install a Shivalinga in this sacred land, I sincerely wish to conduct the worship of Lord Mahadeva.” Vanararaja called for few of the Vanaras and informed the wish of Raghupathi, they have invited all the ascetics and Rishis, and consecrated a Shiva Linga and began the worship. Rama spoke “ I have no one dear like Lord Shiva, whoever discard the worship of Lord Shiva and address themselves as the devotees of mine, could not approach me not even in their dreams. The dull-minded people discard the worship of Lord Shankara and devoted me, will push to hell. The people who are enemies of Lord Shankara and worships me and vice versa would reside in the hell for a Kalpa. Whoever visits the sacred shrine of Rameshwara would attain my abode after leaving their mortal coil. Whoever performs ablution on the Linga with the waters of sacred Ganga would attain Sayoojya Mukthi in me. Whoever worships Lord Shanka without any personal motive or desires would attain intense devotion in me. Whoever witnesses the grand bridge constructed by me would cross the ocean of worldly existence effortlessly.” All the sages and Rishis assembled were extremely happy to listen to Prabhu and returned to their hermitage.

 

Lord Shankara speaks “Oh! Girija, Lord Rama will not abandon his devotees who are surrendered at his lotus feet, the highly intelligent Nala and Neela finished the construction of the vast bridge across the ocean, thus their fame spread across the whole world, all those trees and stones shoved in the oceans were floated and stood like a bride across the ocean, resembled a huge pass. Oh! Devi, it was not the efficiency of Kapis, or stones or the ocean, it was the grace of Prabhu caused the stone to float on the ocean. It was the splendor of Raghuveera all those stones shoved to the ocean were floated, therefore whoever worships deities other than Rama, are dull-minded. Thus the construction of the bridge was completed and they ensured the safety of it, the huge armies of Vanara moved forward enthusiastically producing boisterous voice, Rama stood on the bridge and looked around the vast ocean, all those aquatic animals rushed to the surface to get a look of that Prabhu, there was numerous water animals, alligators, numerous species, different colors and sizes of fishes and serpents. They all looked at Prabhu and in standstill; therefore the watercolor was not visible. The armies of Vanaras and bears moved forwarded after receiving the instruction from the Prabhu. There was a huge crowd on the bridge, some of the Vanaras took skyways, and some of them proceeded on waterways. Rama and Lakshmana looked at the funniest acts of these Vanaras and bears and laughed out. Thus Rama along with Lakshman and huge armies arrived on the other side of the shore; it was difficult to describe the huge armies of Rama. They have settled in a beautiful forest and Prabhu instructed the Vanaras and bears to remove their hunger, immediately they darted to the nearby woods and consumed fruits at their heart's content, and began to uproot the trees."