Chapter 58 - Rāma reclaims land from the sea

Jaimini continued:

1. On seeing Varuṇa who said this and fell on the ground at his feet, the intelligent leading member of the family of Bhṛgu, withdrew the missile.

2. After withdrawing the missile, Rāma looked at Varuṇa standing in front of him. Anger having subsided, he said to him smilingly.

3. “These leading sages who had their homes in Gokarṇa had come to me before, O lord of rivers, while I was staying on the mountain Mahendra.

4. The holy spot Gokarṇa inhabited by the sages was caused to fail down into your waters formerly, by the sons of Sagara who were digging the Earth.

5. After having approached me, those sages, the residents of that holy place have rushed down here to regain once again that holy spot which is very dear to Śiva.

6. It was for the sake of these sages that I have come down from the excellent mountain Mahendra along with these leading sages, to see you.

7. Hence, for my sake, it behoves you to make your waters recede and restore to them that holy spot in the water as before.”

Jaimini said:

8. On hearing these words of Rāma, Varuṇa the lord of aquatic beings considered everything in his mind and spoke these words to Rāma once again.

Varuṇa said:

9. “My waters cannot be made to recede by anyone. Such is the boon granted to me formerly by Viriñci (i.e. god Brahmā).

10. But on account of your brilliant splendour I have given up all my natural courage. I have become afraid, o Bhārgava, and have fallen under your control.

11. How can I fail to perform this task, O annihilator of the families of Kṣatriyas, after having been especially urged by you for the sake of these sages?

12. Hence, I shall hold back on the ground as much of my water as you may have intended in your mind.”

13. On hearing his words, Bhārgava said “so be it”. He broke his bow and threw away his arrow.

14. Then he mentally decided the boundary. Wishing to point it out, O king, he took up his Sruvā (the sacrificial ladle). The intelligent sage was desirous of throwing it in the ocean.

15-18. After making him (Rāma) delighted in his mind and devoid of anger towards himself (i.e. Varuṇa), the lord of rivers disappeared. When he had gone, Rāma stood facing the north. He whirled his Sruvā with great speed and hurled it into the briny sea. When it was hurled into the ocean, the Sruvā went two hundred Yojanas in the direction of the north-west, O king, and fell down. That place is the holy spot named Śūrpāraka (Sopārā, in Dist. Thana, Maharashtra). It is conducive to rid oneself of all sins. It is on the shore of the lord of rivers and well-known in the three worlds. The Sruvā (sacrificial ladle) slipping down from Rāma’s hands fell, O great king between that holy spot (and the shore of the ocean), thereby indicating Rāma’s exploit.

19-22. The place, O king, where the ground created by Rāma was established is the holy place Śūrpāraka, glorious and renowned in all the worlds. The ocean withdrew its waters so far. After granting the Earth to Rāma, O king, he stood aside.

Rāma (the leading member of Bhṛgu’s family) who never transgressed the bounds of decency made him stand by this agreement accepted by himself (i.e. Varuṇa), knowing that it is the eastern (?) boundary on the Earth, the ocean yielded the ground.

23-25. All the gods were surprised to see the exploit of Rāma. (Defective Text) When the water of the ocean receded there on the Sahya mountain, there were here and there (at some places) some markings of boundaries of towns and villages as before (their submerging in the sea). These he observed there by chance, due to their lower level. Thereafter, the most excellent member of the family of Bhṛgu, lovingly gave their respective places as desired by them to the sages of purified souls.

26. Then all those sages became delighted very much. Fully contented, they worshipped Rāma and expressed their good wishes for him.

27-30. Then, being permitted by them, Rāma who accomplished for them all desires, went away.

When the excellent sage Rāma had gone to his hermitage from that country, all those sages collected together and went to the shore of the sea. After circumambulating that place with great effort, O king, they saw the Earth situated within the ocean, since it was eternal and the place of abode of all the Devas, (the holy spot) did not become ruined utterly although the earth was dug up and it was caused to fall into the ocean, and although it was lost in the water under which it remained for a long time. This happened due to the power of Rudra.

31. The holy spot emerging from the waters regained its original state, O excellent king. This is the capacity of lord Śiva which cannot be adequately thought of.

32. Thus the Earth was reclaimed (lit. created) once again out of the ocean. From the south to the north, O king, it extends to four hundred Yojanas.

33. Even today the ocean does not transgress the boundary. His great bow was never drawn and kept ready by Rāma the great sage.

34-37. Such is the potential power of Rāma and the king Sagara whose sons caused the sub-continent of Bharata to fall into the ocean extending it more by a thousand Yojanas and developed the great ocean. The land extending to six hundred Yojanas was created once again.

Since the abode of alligators (i.e. the sea) was extended by the sons of Sagara, it got the name Sāgara well-known in all the worlds ever since then.

38. Thus the story of great men viz. Rāma, Kārttavīrya and king Sagara has been well recounted to you by me.