This page has been fully proofread once and needs a second look.

344
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
"I shall somehow cause to be still the

water turbulent with crocodiles and

sharks. O amiable one, this one is the

son of Visvakarma, Nala by name. Let

this monkey who is possessed of great

enthusiasm build a bridge over me."
 

 
एवमुत्तवोदधिर्नष्टो व्यायतं शतयोजनम् ।

नलश्चक्रे महासेतुतुं मध्ये नदनदीपतेः ॥
 

This said, the water of the ocean

receded for a length of one hundred

yojanas and Nala built the great bridge

in the middle of the ocean.
 

 
वानराणां हि सा तीर्णा वाहिनी नलसेतुना ।

तीरे निविविशे राज्ञो बहुमूलफलोदके ॥
 

That army of the king of monkeys

crossed over the ocean by the bridge

built by Nala and stationed themselves

on the (other) bank, full of many roots

fruits and water.
 

 
राघवः सन्निवेश्यैव सैन्यं स्वं रक्षसां वधे ।

विभीषणस्यानुमते राजधर्मुमनुस्मरन् ।

ङ्गदं बालितनयं समाहूयेदमब्रवीत् ॥