THE BRIDGE
Page One

Hanuman returned to Rama and told him of the state of Sita at Ashok Vatika.

Now that Rama’s army knew the whereabouts of Sita, it was essential to get to her.

But how was this tremendous army to get across the mighty ocean.

Rama wanted to pray to the ocean to give them way, whereas Lakshmana wanted to attack it with bow and arrow.

It has been explained earlier that the ocean is symbolic of the mind and its desires and attachments.

During a spiritual journey one’s biggest obstacle is the mind with its desires and attachments.

Some seekers claim that the best way to control one’s desire and attachments is that of penance. These are hardships imposed upon the body, to bring the mind under control.

Some claim that a better way is to make the mind co-operate with the spirit by means of understanding and compassion of the intellect.

Lakshmana’s way of dealing with the ocean seem­ed to be the drastic one, whereas Rama preferred to try to persuade the ocean to co-operate and allow the army to cross over to get to Lanka.

Rama prayed to the ocean, but the ocean did not pay much heed to the prayer.

Rama then decided to attack the ocean. The ocean realising its folly decided to give in to Rama’s wishes.

Rama and his army decided to build a mighty bridge to get to Lanka.

The latter part is also symbolic. When the mind refuses to come under control by persuasion then one must employ stricter measures.

When the mind repents and decides to co-operate then one chalks out a spiritual path to reach one’s spiritual destination.

How were they to build the bridge was the question? Stones were sinking into the sea.

It was with the help of the two monkeys Nala and Neela that they were able to achieve the almost impossible task.

Hanuman wrote the alphabets “R” and “A” of Rama on one stone and the “M” on another. The stones automatically connected together to form the word Rama, and wonder of wonders, floated on the ocean to form a bridge large enough to get to Lanka.

God is the hand behind which our hand moves. If we are able to give God the credit for our victories, in other words, if we write God’s name on our actions, we become unburdened of the ego that is weighing us down.

The above is the symbolism of the stones becom­ing lighter and floating as Rama’s name was written on them.

It could also be explained thus.

The name of Rama was instrumental in the build­ing of the bridge.

This incident may also be taken as highlighting the power of uttering God’s name by remembering and praying to Him.

Hanuman had tremendous faith in the power of the name of the Lord.

Hindus believe that God has bestowed his power in his own name. Hence whoever utters His name with faith will be redeemed of all afflictions

Some feel that stepping on God’s name on the bridge while trying to cross the ocean would amount to sacrilege.

The question is, since we need to cement our good deed with the name of God, would we not require the support of His name during our journey through life?

ANGADA

The great army of Rama finally crossed the bridge and arrived In Lanka.

Rama sent Angada, the son of Bali, to Ravana’s court to give one final chance to Ravana to return Sita and avoid a confrontation.

How often God sends messengers to make us come to our senses as we walk on the path of life.

Sometimes, these messages may be in the form of an accident or a sage’s wise words that remind us of the insecurity of life. It is never too late to turn a new leaf.

Angada reached Ravana’s court. He asked that Sita be returned. Ravana refused.

Angada, the mighty messenger of Rama, challeng­ed everyone in Ravana’s court to use all  their might to try and move his leg which stood planted firmly on the ground.

Angada challenged them saying that if Ravana’s courtiers so much as moved his leg by an inch, Rama’s army would go back without Sita.

Many tried. No one could move the mighty leg of Angada even by an inch.

Readers of the Ramayana have wondered how Angada could have gambled in this manner. Would they have left without Sita if anyone had been able to shake Angada?

This incident is however symbolic. It is the con­fidence of a devotee’s faith.

Angada’s faith was so staunch that not for a second did he think that anyone would have the strength to move his leg.

Despite the proof of the prowess of the messengers of Rama, Ravana refused to see reason.