Construction of Ram Setu

In all the films n serials it was shown that Ramsetu was built with floating stones. But in Valmiki Ramayan it is mentioned that bridge was built with huge stones n many kind of trees. Ram's bridge had a strong base.The setu was not a floating one. Army of Ram actually divided the sea there from its bed to upper surface. Huge mountains and rocks were thrown on the sea using special technics. Miles long strong strings were used to keep the rocks thrown straight. Sea said that Nal the son of Vishwakarma is a great architect like his father. He knew the technique of building bridge on sea. Floating stone will get scattered on water when somebody will step them. A floating bridge cannot tolerate the buoyancy of ocean n the weight of the huge army. Building of bridge on sea is described as a art, a technique. You can read the description of building of the bridge in Yudhha Kanda. I hope the show makers will follow Valmiki Ramayan when they will show the construction of Ram Setu.

Chapter 22 of Yudha Kanda says

Ocean the lord of rivers spoke these words to Rama who knew all scientific treatises.
"O, excellent man! This one, named Nala, a glorious person, is the son of Vishvakarma; who was given a boon by his father and is equal to Visvakarma. Let this greatly energetic monkey build a bridge across me. I can hold that bridge. He is just the same as his father." The god of Ocean disappeared from that place. Then Nala, the more distinguished among monkeys stood up and spoke the following words to Rama of great power: The great Ocean disclosed a truth. I will construct a bridge across this large Ocean, taking recourse to the skill and ability of my father. This Sagara, the formidable mass of water, in fear of punishment, gave a passage to Rama, wishing to see a bridge constructed on it. On the mountain of Mandara, the following boon was given by Visvakarma to my mother: "O, god like lady! A son equal to me will be born to you. I am a son born of Visvakarma's own loins. I am equal to Visvakarma. This god of Ocean has reminded me. The great ocean spoke the truth. Being unasked, I have not told you my details earlier. I am capable of constructing a bridge across the ocean. Hence, let the foremost of monkeys build the bridge now itself.

Then, being sent by Rama, hundreds and thousands of monkey heroes jumped in joy on all sides towards the great forest. Those army-chiefs of monkeys, who resembled mountains, broke the rocks and trees there and dragged them away towards the sea. Those monkeys filled the ocean with all types of trees like Sala and Asvakarna, Dhava and bamboo, Kutaja, Arjuna, palmyra,Tilaka, Tinisa, Bilva, Saptaparna, Karnika, in blossom as also mango and Asoka. The excellent monkeys, the forest animals lifted and brought, like Indra's flag posts, some trees with roots intact and some others without roots. From here and there the monkeys brought Palmyra trees, pomegranate shrubs, coconut and Vibhitaka, Karira, Bakula and neem trees. The huge bodied monkeys with mighty strength uprooted elephant-sized rocks and mountains and transported them by mechanical contrivances. The water, raised up due to sudden throwing of mountains in the sea, soured upward towards the sky and from there again, gushed back. The rocks befalling on all sides perturbed the ocean. Some others drew up strings a hundred Yojanas long (in order to keep the rocks in a straight line.) Nala on his part initiated a monumental bridge in the middle of the ocean. The bridge was built at that time with the cooperation of other monkeys, of terrible doings. Some monkeys were holding poles for measuring the bridge and some others collected the material. Reeds and logs resembling clouds and mountains, brought by hundreds of monkeys, lead by the command of Rama, fastened some parts of the bridge. Monkeys constructed the bridge with trees having blossom at the end of their boughs. Some monkeys looking like demons seized rocks resembling mountains and peaks of mountains and appeared running hither and thither. Then, a tumultuous sound occurred when the rocks were thrown into the sea and when mountains were caused to fall there. On the first day, fourteen Yojanas of bridge were constructed by the monkeys speedily, thrilled with delight as they were, resembling elephants. In the same manner, on the second day twenty Yojanas of bridge were constructed speedily by the monkeys of terrific bodies and of mighty strength.Thus, on the third day twenty-one Yojanas of the bridge were constructed in the ocean speedily by the monkeys with their colossal bodies. On the forth day, a further of twenty-two Yojanas were constructed by the dashing monkeys with a great speed. In that manner, on the fifth day, the monkeys working quickly constructed twenty-three yojanas of the bridge up to the other seashore. That Nala, the strong and illustrious son of Visvakarma and an excellent monkey built the bridge across the sea as truly as his father would have built it. That beautiful and lovely bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean the abode of alligators, shone brightly like a milky way of stars in the sky.

thanks purvi, do you know how long it took to construct ram setu?i guess less than a year, its amazing that with out any modern equiments/technology they build the floating bridge in water.

Thanks Purvi. This is a nice translation. Where did u get it from.

Valmiki Ramayan is very realistic. There's no magic or miracles in it. The emphasis is on character and virtue. That's why its my favourite version. I prefer philosophy and ethics to chamatkars

This information from Valmiki's ramayan is not only interesting but also narrated in a very scientific way. The ocean tells Ram to build a bridge on a particular path only because the ocean is infested with volcanoes which when disturbed can cause havoc that is why he (ocean) requests Ram not to release arrows and dry the ocean.

Today so much has been said about shri Ram setu -the gov't is very insensitive about this matter; the issue should be not only viewed as a religious matter but also from the point of view of environment. disturbance to this sector can cause volcanoes and earthquakes.

Another interesting point is that this chapter (22nd) also talks about the strength of 'vanars' - as strong as elephants; this means they are not just monkeys but powerful creatures that is why they were able to build a bridge of 100 yojanas (1 yojana is aprox 8miles) in just 5 days which is not even imaginable for normal human beings.

Originally posted by: coolpurvi

I hope the show makers will follow Valmiki Ramayan when they will show the construction of Ram Setu.

😕😕😕 UNLIKELY

People are so used to the traditional miracle stories, that they would not like a Ramayan version rooted in realism. I guess people expect to see the whole rocks-with-Ram's-name-floating version. Its a pity though, because I think even without these miracles, Shri Ram would remain great. Sagar's usually base their interpretations on Tulsidas and popular culture. Valmiki Ramayan doesnt talk of Ahilya being turned into a stone. there's no "ber" of Shabri and no rocks floating and no swayamvar-sabha where Ram wins Sita. Sagars have already shown thses episodes as per Tulsidas's interpreatation. So i guess they'll show the rocks floating

In the title song video they showed Ram Charit Manas and Valmiki Ramayan as their main source. Hope they will follow Valmiki Ramayan when they will show construction of Ram setu. Construction of bridge described in Valmiki Ramayan sounds really logical. Not only monkeys but other animal also helped in the construction. In this chapter Ram is described as Rama knower of all scientific treatises and Nal as a great n skilled architect
having special knowledge of Construction of bridge of setu in sea. Setu Bandhan is not desribed as a miracle. This description better than other descriptions.

Now a days so much discussions r going on over Ram Setu that whether it man made or natural. Sagars Shud follow Valmiki Ramayan.
Govt shud protect RamSetu. It protected us from Tsunami. It is life line of many fishermen

Do share ur opinions .

Originally posted by: aalochak

Thanks Purvi. This is a nice translation. Where did u get it from.

Valmiki Ramayan is very realistic. There's no magic or miracles in it. The emphasis is on character and virtue. That's why its my favourite version. I prefer philosophy and ethics to chamatkars

I have given a link of Valmiki Ramayan. Check previous pages

thanks for the info purvi..and your right..even i wonder why people tell that it was a 'floating bridge'..it was not ..it was made up of tres , stones, rocks, large peices of mountains.. 😊

I got some more info abt Ram Setu frm Lankanewspapers.com. It says that there was a royal family for gaurding Ramsetu.

Today when the description of Rama and creation of the Rama Sethu as a myth is creating a furore, it is interesting to note that for thousands of years, there was a royal family in South India with its headquarters at Ramanathapuram near Rameshwaram, known as the Sethupati Rajas or the guardians of the Sethu. Like the Maharajas of Kashi in North India, the specific task of these kings was to guard the sanctity of Rameshwaram temple and protect the Sethu – now so much under the limelight.
In fact even today, though the famous Rameshwaram temple (which technically belonged to the Sethupatis) is administered by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the head of the Sethupati dynasty, at present Rajeshwari Nachiar, is the hereditary head of the temple' s board of trustees.
Detailed information about the Sethupathis is available in the ' Ramnad Manual' maintained by Tamil Nadu archives. It states that, " The Sethupatis built several chattrams (dharmsalas) along the main roads of the pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. Roads were opened through the forests. Immense sums were spent on the restoration of the Rameshwaram temples, which were falling into ruins, and the splendid Chockattan Mantapam or the cloistered precincts of the temple at Rameshwaram being finally completed by the Sethupati representatives.." Although the dynasty claims that they are mentioned in the 2000-year-old sagas of Tamil literature, as the brave Marava community guarding the Sethu since the times of Rama, the first historical reference comes only in the 11th century AD, when Chola king Rajaraja made the head of Marava community as Sethupati to protect the pilgrims to Rameshwaram temple and the Rama Sethu.
The temple complex itself was built by Sethupati rulers in the 12th century, with Sethupathy Maravar beginning the construction of the grand Ramanathaswamy temple. Then again reference is made in A D1434 to the repair of the temple walls by the head of the Sethupati clan, known as Udayan Sethupati. Geologists state that till AD1480, when a tsunami damaged the present Rama Sethu, one could walk from India to Sri Lanka on the Sethu!
But only from AD 1605, we find detailed history of these chiefs, who are described as masters of Sethu and their kingdom described as Sethu Nadu (Land of Sethu). After the destruction of the Vijayanagar empire in 1565, their viceroy in South India, the the Nayak ruler of Madurai, re-appointed head of the same Marava community as the Sethupatis.
The most important of these monarchs was the Raghunatha Sethupati II alias Kilavan Sethupati (1671 AD to 1710 AD), who ensured that Sethupatis with their fiefdom over the area known as Ramnad, remained all powerful. It was during his time, that the magnificent still existing palace of Ramlingavilasam was created as the residence of the Sethupatis. No other palace in Tamil Nadu has such extensive mural paintings. As soon as you enter the Mahamandapam, you are surrounded by murals that glint like gem-encrusted jewels on the walls. Some are dull and faded, while others flash forth their brilliance, even 300 years after they were executed. In 1978, the Sethupati family, unable to maintain the palace handed it over to the Government of Tamil Nadu.
But in the18th century, the British entered the politics of South India and as a measure to reduce the importance of the Sethupatis, they were demoted as mere zamindars under the British in1803. Of all the services, this royal family has done to India, the most important was that of financing the visit of Swami Vivekananda in 1893 to Chicago, to address the World Religions Conference. Swami Vivekananda reached Ramnathapuram in 1892 and met the then scion, Bhaskara Sethupati at his palace, and stayed there as the official guest for eight days.
Initially, it was Bhaskara Setupati as the Raja of Ramnad, who had earlier decided to go to US to attend the Parliament of Religions as the representative of Hinduism. But after conversing with Swami Vivekananda, he decided that Swamiji was the right person to attend the conference.
Vivekananda decided to accept the Raja' s offer. When Vivekananda returned from USA after his grand success, as he was about to land at Rameshwaram, the overjoyed Raja was waiting with his entourage to give him a royal welcome. Because of the achievement of Swamiji and as well as the regard, the Raja had for him, he bowed his head and offered it as step for Vivekananda to get down from the boat. But, Swamiji tactfully avoided this offer, by jumping from the boat to the land. Then the Raja unyoked the bullocks from Vivekananda' s ceremonial chariot and pulled the conveyance manually with his entourage, till it reached his palace. Later he erected a victory pillar of 25 feet height with the Upanishad expression Satyameva Jayate to commemorate the success of Swami Vivekananda at Chicago.
After Indian Independence, the Sethupatis still retained their importance in the politics of Tamil Nadu. In fact Shanmuga Raja Sethupati won the elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly and held the seat thrice from 1951 to 1967, besides being a minister in the Rajagopalachari Ministry of 1952. He was well-known in horse racing circles and had a stable of over 50 horses in Calcutta and a huge garage of cars in Madras, including Rolls Royces and a Bentley. But the abolition of zamindaries by the Government of India, removed all sources of their wealth and today, the former Sethupatis are just well-known prominent magnates of Tamil Nadu.
The existence of the bridge obviously cannot be denied! However to what extent there was manual intervention in connecting the gaps between the shoals, islands and rocks is a subject for detailed marine archaeological and geological research. This kind of research has never been carried out nor has any team been constituted so far. However, there is enough evidence about the existence as well as the use of this bridge in ancient Indian history, literature and travelogues etc.
Maharishi Valmiki has recorded in his Ramayan- (Yuudh Kand, sarg 22 and shlokas 45-73) that Shri Rama' s army constructed a bridge over the sea between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka. After crossing this bridge, Shri Rama' s army reached Sri Lanka, defeated Ravana and liberated Sita from his captivity. Valmiki has narrated in detail that originally Shri Rama' s army camped in Kodikarai but found that place unsuitable for constructing the bridge. Therefore, the entire army was shifted to Rameswaram. Research was carried out by Shri Ram for three days to find out a suitable location in the sea for constructing the land route so that the army could cross over to Sri Lanka. Finally, the suitable location was identified. Shri Nal was a famous shilpakar, who had the expertise similar to that of Vishwakarma in constructing the bridges, was requested to construct the bridge. ( 6/22/45).
After carrying out the survey, Nal declared that a bridge can indeed be constructed. The armymen of Shri Ram utilized various tools and implements for uprooting trees like Taar, coconut, mango, ashoka, bakul etc., and with the help of various yantras transported these trees, stones, and rocks to the seashore. Shilpakar Nal directed the armymen to stand with long ropes/chains on either side and filled the space in between with creepers, trees, stones and rocks and bound them together. The construction of Ramsetu was completed in five days by connecting the existing land route consisting of islands, rocks and shoals.
This bridge was being used as land route between India and Sri Lanka for thousands of years, though sometimes part of it was submerged under the seawater. King Asoka' s son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra had used this bridge to go to Sri Lanka more than 2,300 years back. Muslims believe that Adam had gone to Adam hill in Sri Lanka for penance by making use of this bridge. A gazette notiication issued by British Govt on Madras Presidency in 1803 has stated that Ramasetu was being used as land link between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka until 15th century AD when it got damaged and submerged due to cyclone and storm. Dutch and French maps drawn in 16th and 17th centuries show this Ramasetu as operational land route between Rameswaram (India) and Talai Mannar (Sri Lanka) – available in Saraswati Mahal Library, Tanjore.
As per the Government of India " there are no archeological or historical studies which confirm the existence of Ramsetu bridge between India and Sri Lanka in ancient times." Apparently this statement only reflects ignorance of Himalayan proportions about many fundamental historical, archaeological, geological as well as geographical facts. If only somebody had even opened the websites - Google Earth which contains interesting as well as authentic pictures of submerged Ramsetu and http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/ which displays most authentic historical atlas of South Asia and has placed pictures of Ramsetu for the period starting from vedic era and 5th century BC to 19th century AD along with nomenclature of Ramsetu prevailing at the relevant times, the conclusions arrived at would have been quite different !.

wow coolpurvi
👏 that was absolutely rivetting... such history and tradition behind the setu - never knew about the sethupati dynasty. I'M SAVING THIS POST on my harddrive LOL