Lord Rama stood facing the ocean. Thoughts of His wife, Sita were tormenting Him. His army had already arrived and Vibhishana had come across from Lanka and taken refuge. And everyone now pointed to the ocean saying that was the first challenge they needed to meet. As Lord Rama stood watching the vast, deep ocean, He wondered how they would cross it.
For three days and nights He prayed to Lord Sagara, who had been created by his ancestors by excavating the land and seeking the grace of Varuna, God of the water. But Sagara did not respond to His prayers. Since time was running out, Lord Rama began to string his bow declaring his intention to shoot an arrow that would be so powerful as to dry up the ocean and enable His army to attack upon Lanka for getting His wife back. Understanding His plans, cries rang through the air, birds flew home and animals ran hither and thither. The waters rose in agony. Seeing that his brother was determined to carry out His threat, Lakshmana pleaded with Lord Rama to show restraint. “Great people like you do not fall into the trap of anger, that blinds reason and thinking. All that is born of anger does not last. That which is born of consultation and conciliation, alone lives long after man. Your purpose should be achieved without resorting to such an extreme step. Devise some more durable way of crossing the seas,” Lakshmana advised his revered brother.
With his bow still in hand, Lord Rama sees reason in His brother’s argument.Horrified with the would-be consequences, Lord Sagara appeared before Him with his appeal: “We, the earth, air, ether, water and fire are bound by the eternal laws governing nature. It is in my nature, therefore, to be fathomless and incapable of being those laws. Not for greed, desire or out of fear will I solidify so that you and the army can walk over me for that would endanger the lives of beings that live in me. I will not part or move my course by transgressing limits. However, I will help you and your army to cross the ocean by bearing everything that I can without overstepping my limits. Please build on my chest a bridge and the well endowed son of Vishwakarma, Nala, is capable of doing that. I will sustain the bridge.”
Since once the bow is strung, the arrow has to be released, the ocean lord advises Lord Rama to shoot his arrow at a region that has polluted waters, so that it is cleansed of that impurity. Lord Rama decided to follow Sagra’s advice. Nala came forth to build the bridge. Says Nala, “Generally, it is said that the ocean responds only to punishment and not to request. But it is not just because it is duty-bound with its limits. Building a bridge over it is a lasting solution to the problem of getting to other island, it presents to the travellers.”
The bridge was built and the war won, and good triumphed over evil. The bridge was more than a physical entity. It was a symbol of the need to find ways to preserve sanctity of life. Every form of life is subject to eternal laws that which takes into consideration the aspirations and commitment of animals or fathomless waters. Lord Sagara said rightly that if the water had been dried with the anger of Lord Rama, there was the question of the lives of those who were depending on the waters for their survival.
Equally, Lord Rama’s mission was important. To find solutions within the given constraints was the true challenge. When He faced this truth, nature became his supporter and instead of fighting it, He became empowered with its support. Because He was able to work in consonance with nature to achieve his desired goal. Lord Rama’s bridge symbolised the importa
nce of understanding, compassion and harmony.
Similarly, when you are proceeding to Accomplish Your Dreams, you may find a number of hurdles like Lord Rama faced. You must exercise due restraint and work with understanding, compassion and harmony with the resources available. You would get a solution definitely and can Accomplish Your Dreams.
Be Happy - Accomplish Your Dreams with due restraint and work with understanding, compassion and harmony with the resources available.
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