In the epic tale of the Ramayana, Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, faced the formidable challenge of crossing the vast ocean to reach the demon king Ravana's kingdom of Lanka. It was then that Sagara, the ocean deity, revealed to Rama that the only way to cross the ocean was by building a bridge. Sagara also informed Rama of a remarkable vanara (monkey) named Nala, who possessed the unique ability to perform this seemingly impossible feat.
Upon hearing this, Rama summoned Nala. When Nala arrived, he
humbly bowed down at Rama's feet. Rama looked at him with a mixture of
curiosity and hope, saying, "I am facing great difficulty in crossing the
ocean, and yet you did not let me know that you had the power to help me."
Nala, modest and unassuming, replied, "I am but an
ordinary vanara, my lord. There are many other vanaras in our group who are
greater heroes than I am. How could I speak up in front of them? But let me
share with you a story from my childhood that might explain my abilities."
Nala then recounted his early days near the sacred Mansarovar Lake. He explained how the great god Brahma often came to meditate by
the serene banks of the lake. Mischievous by nature, Nala would wait for Brahma
to leave his kushi—a small copper spoon used for worship—on the lake's edge.
Seizing the opportunity, Nala would throw the kushi into the lake, watching it
sink into the waters with delight. This became a daily ritual: Brahma would get
a new khushi each day, and each day Nala would toss it into the lake.
One day, amused and perhaps slightly exasperated by Nala's
antics, Brahma decided to put an end to the monkey's mischief. He appeared
before Nala and said, "You are a playful one, little vanara. From this day
forth, whatever you throw into the water will float. Furthermore, if you touch
rocks and trees together, they will adhere to each other as if by magic."
Years passed, and Nala grew up with this incredible boon
bestowed upon him by Brahma. Little did he know that this power would one day
be pivotal in aiding Rama's quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the clutches
of Ravana.
Nala concluded his story and said to Rama, "Brahma's
boon will help me build a bridge for you. Let the vanaras gather boulders,
rocks, and trees. With these materials, I will construct a bridge across the
ocean within a month."
Encouraged and filled with renewed hope, Rama ordered the
vanaras to start collecting the necessary materials. Under Nala's direction,
they brought together an immense collection of rocks, boulders, and trees. True
to his word, Nala used his divine gift to make the rocks and trees float and
stick together, creating a sturdy bridge that spanned the ocean.
This miraculous bridge, known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu,
enabled Rama and his army to cross the ocean and ultimately led to the defeat
of Ravana and the rescue of Sita. The tale of Nala's unique power and his
crucial role in building the bridge remains an inspiring part of the Ramayana,
illustrating how even the most unexpected individuals can play a pivotal role
in great endeavors.
This captivating story is found in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana, adding another layer of richness to the timeless epic.