Rameshwaram and Ram Setu in the Ramcharitmanas
Rameshwaram is on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, home to the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Ram Setu is the chain of shoals running from Dhanushkodi towards Sri Lanka. In Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, Shri Ram has a bridge built across the ocean to Lanka. On His return with Mata Sita, He recalls building the bridge and installing a lingam of Lord Shiva there.
The ocean shows how the bridge can be built
The way across the ocean opens through Shri Ram's glory and the service of His helpers. In Sunderkand, Doha 60, the ocean tells Shri Ram that the brothers Nala and Nila received a boon from a sage in childhood. Mountains touched by them will float through His glory. The ocean also offers its own help.
Each helper has work to do. The passage names the brothers' gift, the ocean's assistance and the Lord's greatness together. Thus, service begins with recognising what we have been given and putting it to use. At the opening of Lanka Kand, before Doha 1, Shri Ram calls His counsellors and directs them to build the bridge.
Nala and Nila build the bridge to Lanka
In Lanka Kand, Doha 1, the monkeys bring enormous trees and mountains to Nala and Nila, who carefully arrange them into the bridge. Strength brings the materials, and care puts them in place. The work advances because each serves the same purpose.
The bridge makes a crossing possible for the whole army. In Lanka Kand, Doha 4, it is so crowded that some monkeys fly across while others step upon the backs of sea creatures. Earlier, in Bal Kand, Doha 13, Goswami Tulsidas observes that even tiny ants can cross a broad river when a king builds a bridge. The image teaches us to value work that opens a way for others.
Shri Ram remembers the bridge and worships Lord Shiva
On the return to Ayodhya, Shri Ram points out the place where He had the bridge built and installed a lingam of Lord Shiva. In Lanka Kand, Doha 119 A, Shri Ram and Mata Sita both bow to Shri Rameshwara Mahadeva. The remembrance of the crossing is joined with worship.
Achievement calls for reverence. Shri Ram recalls the work and then bows. We too should remember the help received when a difficult task is complete, and turn that remembrance into gratitude.
Rameshwaram is home to the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Dhanushkodi lies at Pamban Island's south-eastern tip, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Gulf of Mannar. From there, the chain of shoals called Ram Setu extends towards Sri Lanka.
Verses
इहाँ सेतु बाँध्यों अरु थापेउँ सिव सुख धाम। सीता सहित कृपानिधि संभुहि कीन्ह प्रनाम॥११९(क)॥
“It was here that I had a bridge constructed and also installed a symbol (Liṅgam) of the blissful Lord Śiva.” So saying, the All-merciful Śrī Rāma and Sītā both made obeisance to Śrī Rameśwara Mahādeva. (119 A) Every spot in the woods, where Śrī Rāma, the Ocean of compassion had either taken up His abode or rested awhile, was pointed out by the Lord to Jānakī, mentioning each by name. (119 B)
Lanka Kand, Doha 119bअति उतंग गिरि पादप लीलहिं लेहिं उठाइ। आनि देहिं नल नीलहि रचहिं ते सेतु बनाइ॥ १ ॥
They would lift up gigantic trees and mountains in mere sport and bring them to Nala and Nīla, who in their turn carefully set them to build the bridge. (1)
Lanka Kand, Doha 1नाथ नील नल कपि द्वौ भाई। लरिकाईं रिषि आसिष पाई॥ तिन्ह कें परस किएँ गिरि भारे। तरिहहिं जलधि प्रताप तुम्हारे॥१॥
“My lord, the two monkey brothers, Nīla and Nala, got a boon in their childhood from a sage. Touched by them even huge mountains will float on the ocean by Your glory. (1)
Sunderkand, Doha 60सेतुबंध भइ भीर अति कपि नभ पंथ उड़ाहिं। अपर जलचरन्हि ऊपर चढ़ि चढ़ि पारहि जाहिं॥४॥
The bridge being overcrowded, some of the monkeys flew through the air; while others crossed over treading on the back of sea animals. (4)
Lanka Kand, Doha 4
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Where are Rameshwaram and Ram Setu?
Rameshwaram is on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu and is home to the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Dhanushkodi lies at the island's south-eastern tip, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Gulf of Mannar. Ram Setu is the chain of shoals extending from there towards Sri Lanka.
Who built Ram Setu in the Ramcharitmanas?
Shri Ram directs the building of the bridge. In Lanka Kand, Doha 1, the monkeys bring trees and mountains, and Nala and Nila carefully set them in place. In Sunderkand, Doha 60, the ocean explains that the brothers received a childhood boon and that mountains touched by them will float through Shri Ram's glory.
Does the Ramcharitmanas mention Shri Ram worshipping Shiva here?
Yes. In Lanka Kand, Doha 119 A, Shri Ram tells Mata Sita that He had the bridge constructed there and installed a lingam of Lord Shiva. Shri Ram and Mata Sita then bow to Shri Rameshwara Mahadeva. The passage brings together His remembrance of the bridge and His reverence for Lord Shiva.