Then Sugreeva, Vibbeeshana and Lakshmana deliberated on how to cross the sea.
They thought it best to begin with a prayer to the ocean-god and submitted their opinion
to Raama.
Raama accepted their counsel and, spreading
darbha grass on the seashore and laying himself on it, began a fast, addressing his
request for a passage across, to the king of the sea.
For three days he prayed to the god of the
sea but received no response. Then Raama, his eyes glowing with anger at the sea-god's
arrogance, turned to Lakshmana and said:
"The low-minded mistake courtesy and
gentleness for want of strength. Mildness is simply wasted on them. See now how I shall
bring this misproud sea to its senses with my arrows which shall not only choke it with
the carcasses of mighty fish but even dry it up with their fierce odour. Bring me my bow
and quiver, O Soumitra!" |
