Hanumanji carried Rama and Angada carried Lakshmana. They were followed by Nila, Gajan, Gavayan, Gavakshan, Bali, Maindan, Vividan, Tunga, Nala, Satabali, Tara, and others, along with Sugriva. They arrived at the Mahendra Mountain. Rama decided to do oblations at the seashore and ask Varuna how to cross the ocean.

Rama faced eastward and spread Darbha grass on the ground, and prostrated before Varuna. Rama, the Lord of the three worlds, sat there in meditation for three days and nights. But Varuna did not appear. An enraged Rama threatened to destroy the ocean. A terrified Varuna sought forgiveness and suggested Nala should build the bridge and the ocean would recede to make it happen.

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Kumbhakarna got out of his bed after a sojourn of six months sleeping. He was briefed on what had happened. He told Ravana that whatever he has done so far will hit back and cause even death. He told Ravana about the divinity of Rama. Like animals and birds fall into an enticing trap of the hunter, Ravana got infatuated by Sita's beauty and that will lead to his death.

What Ravana did was despicable, and his subjects will suffer the consequences as well. Kumbhakarna said that he would fight and kill Rama since Ravana has asked him and so that he can enjoy what he desired.

Tellingly, Kumbhakarna tells Ravana that a person who has control over his senses will enjoy more in this life.

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Vibhishana gave strong advice to Ravana. He told him not to seek nice and desirable opinion as that may not be in his best interest. Rama is more than any of the deities and more powerful than the warriors like Vali that Ravana knows of.

Rama has taken birth to kill Ravana. If Ravana seeks refuge, Rama will save him. There is no need to feel enmity towards Rama. It is not proper to feel rivalry towards virtuous people. When a weak king starts fighting with a strong one, it will not end well. His kingdom and his people are going to suffer the consequences.

It is not possible to return Sita after the army has been defeated as the room for negotiation would be over. It is better to return Sita.

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Vibhishana, along with his four confidants, sought refuge with Rama. Sugriva was not convinced and warned Rama that rakshasas are known to be great magicians.

Hanumanji came forward and said that Vibhishana has taken refuge and must be protected. Caste, creed, color, name, etc., are of no relevance in a just society. A king must adhere always to dharma.

Rama agreed with Hanumanji and said anyone who seeks refuge in him must be protected. Rama said that he does not have any hesitation to create, sustain, and destroy worlds and kings within moments. So, why should he fear?

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Shuka went to Sugriva, as commanded by Ravana, and asked Sugriva to withdraw his support for Rama. As the son of Indra, he is like a brother to Ravana and should not fight him. He argued that human beings cannot fight and the vanaras are weak.

The vanaras got mad and started beating up Shuka. Rama calmed down the monkeys and asked Shuka to tell Ravana that he too would be killed like Vali.

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Adhyatma Ramayana mentions Rama’s prayer to Shiva while the bridge construction was going on. The story of the squirrel and the unsinkable stones are not part of Adhyatma Ramayana.

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Rama did oblations at the seashore for Lord Shiva. He named the place as Rameswaram, for the prosperity and good fortune of the world. He declared that anyone who goes there and sees the dyke and does pooja to Lord Shiva at Rameswaram will be redeemed of all his sins. He will attain moksha. Those who do the poojas at Rameswaram and travel to Varanasi and take a ritual bath in the river Ganga, and return with some water from the holy river, for conducting pooja at Rameswaram again, will attain moksha.

Kashi-Rameswaram is a popular pilgrimage even today and attracts pilgrims from all across India.

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After the bridge was complete, the army crossed the ocean. Shuka was sent back to Ravana with a message. Shuka conveyed the strength of the army to Ravana.

He then instructs Ravana on how delusion clouds us. Our jiva gets swayed by the dualities such as pleasure and pain that our body experiences. We end up considering ourselves as the body and do actions as if under a delusion. Such a deluded jiva will repeatedly undergo births and deaths. The only way to avoid sorrow and the cycle of births and deaths is to get rid of your pride in your body. Think of yourself as atman.

You are well recognized for your tapas. How are you still swayed by the desire for pleasure? Please discard your desire for pleasure at this moment and seek refuge with Rama, the Paramatma.

Hearing this discourse from Shuka, Ravana said he does not have patience for this blabbering and threatened to kill him.

Picture Credit: D.D Dalvi and Navneet Publications