Setubandha

Author(s): Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 18

request the Ocean to provide a passage to the other shore. Meanwhile Vibhīşaņa arrives by air with his followers, and is presented to Rāma, who extols him for his virtuous conduct in sharp contrast to his Rākşasa origin, and then consecrates him as the future ruler of Lankā."
Canto V. Rāma undertakes a religious fast under the moonlit sky to induce the Ocean to facilitate the crossing. But, in the morning, incensed at the unresponsive attitude of the Ocean, he gives vent to his wrath by discharging his fiery arrows whose flames envelop the seething waters in a vast conflagration.
Canto VI, The Ocean emerges grievously wounded by Rāma's arrows. He is supported by his consort Gangā, and utters words that are 'cogent though soft in tone, deeply significant though brief, dignified though polite, and outspoken though accompanied with praise.' He regrets that he has incurred Rāma's displeasure by trying to maintain his preordained stability and untraversable character, but tells him plainly that he has grievously suffered on many such occasions on account of Rāma's exploits during his career as Vişņu. Nevertheless he declares that the unhappiness caused to Rāma by his resistance grieves him more than the physical suffering inflicted upon him by the conflagration. He appeals to Rāma to save the waters which have to be stored up for the deluge; and points out that even if the waters are dried up by any means, the sodden seafloor will be as impassable as ever. The only way to reach Lańkā is by a bridge of mountains to be built across the ocean (vv. 9-17). Rāma approves the idea; and at his command the Vānaras, who are repre. sented as giants endowed with supernatural strength, set about uprooting the mountains all over the mainland, and fly to the seashore, loaded with mountains poised on their shoulders.