Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.184

c9.184

Rāma and others, who had assembled on the sea-shore decided to build a bund to Laṅkā. The first thing Rāma did, for the successful conclusion of the expedition, was to install a Śivalinga at Rāmeśvara. (See under Rāmeśvara). Then he prayed to Varuṇadeva for a passage across the sea. But, Varuṇa did not present himself and Śrī Rāma, angry with him, shot the āgneya (fiery) arrow into the heart of the sea when Varuṇa appeared, saluted him and advised him to build a bund across the sea. As a reward for Varuṇa Śrī Rāma, as requested by the former, killed with one arrow all the Rākṣasas, who lived in Gāndhāra island on the north-western shore of the ocean. Varuṇa returned to his abode. The construction of the bund was begun under the leadership of Sugrīva with Nala as chief planner and Nila as his co-planner. Jāmbavān and Hanūmān functioned as supervisors and other monkeys as workers. Mountains, hills, rocks etc. were brought from various quarters and the construction of the bund was begun.