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SETUBANDHA
81
The creepers hung loose from the trees, partly uncoiled, being lashed by the waves; and the sea swirled, entering through the gaps between the thinly scattered peaks. (70)
71. The causeway stretched ahead; the sea rocked, battered by the mountains; and, as they saw the Suvela range48 the host of apes set up a yell, filling the regions with echoes.
72. In the midst of the sea, with the waters parting asunder, were seen portions of the wings of the submarine mountains, crushed by the causeway, and torn as they hurriedly tugged at them when they fled from the ocean, crazed with fear.49
73. The apes restored Nala's Way when it by degrees tended to break up, the mountains at the base being eroded and worn away by the waters, stirred up by the impact of the mountains (dropped on the sea).
74. As the great causeway reached very near the farther shore, conquering the sea, the intervening water, because of its smaller extent, dashed high when hit by the mountains.
75. The masses of water, thrown up by the impact of the mountains on the sea, spattered down on the causeway, and turned into large swirling streams.
76. The causeway, with part of the slope of the Suvela almost touching it, appeared to be complete, the intervening stretch of sea being filled up by the whales rushing in from either side.
77. As Nala shook up the causeway, because the big mountains stood uneven, the ocean flooded the entire earth, and slowly receded.
78. The sea flowed for a moment, like a stream, in the gap between the causeway and the Suvela, heaving as it was hit by the mountains dropped by the apes, who rejoiced at their task being almost finished.
79. As the powerful apes built the forepart of the causeway Rāvana's heart was rent asunder along with the waters of the sea.
48. In Lankǎ.
49. A variation of the picture given in verse 37.
S. 11
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