Śrī Rāmasetu

Protection of Shri Ramsetu is duty of all devout Hindus

Śrī Rāmasetu : The Maha-tirtha

Shri Ram-setu (Śrī Rāmasetu) is also called as Setu-Bandh or Nala-Setu or Dhanush-Koti Teerth. Shri Ramsetu was built by lord Ram's army in order to cross the ocean to reach Lanka and to save his princess Sita. It has been the marvel of ancient civil engineering technology and science. And simultaneously it has great religious and historical importance which can't be ignored by any Hindu. It is told in scriptures one gets fruits of pilgrimages of other sacred places only if s/he visits and see the great bridge Shri Ramasetu over sea built by lord Ram. Now a days, Indian govt. is planning to destroy this bridge of great religious and historical importance and it is adamant to transgress and suppress the sentiments and religious rights of Hindus. That is the memory so beautifully adopted by the Geological Survey of India in its logo, which describes India in this line etched at the bottom of its insignia -- Aasetu Himachal, meaning India is spread between the Bridge (Ram-setu) and the Himalayas. That is the Ram Setu Bridge on the southern tip of our motherland, an identity of the nation, under destruction now.

First of all we will see how the sentiments of Hindus are deeply attached to this bridge on sea built by Lord Ram and how it has great religious importance for Hindus and Historical-importance to whole mankind.

RELIGIOUS IMPORTANCE

Since Ram is vital breath of Sanatan Dharma, so everything connected with him has great religious value and hence sentiments of Hindus are directed in accordance of him. Apart from Shrimad Valmiki-Ramayana, the Mahabharata also refers to the continued protection of Nala Setu following Sri Rama's command. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsham also refers to the Setu. So does the Skanda Purana (III 1.2.1-114), the Vishnu Purana (IV 4.40-49), the Agni Purana (V-XI), the Brahma Purana (138.1-40). Thus so much attention is paid for protection of Ram's setu and common Hindus are sleeping without knowing and acknowledging their duty of protecting this great religious structure built by their god.

In Shrimad Valmiki Ramayana, when Ram was returning along with Sita and others in Pushpaka-Vimaana (the airplane Pushpak) he showed Sita everything related with his exploits and the great bridge-built by him. He told how it will have great religious importance.

एष सेतुर्मया बद्धः सागरे सलिलार्णवे ||
तवहेतोर्विशालाक्षि नलसेतुः सुदुष्करः |

ēṣa sēturmayā baddhaḥ sāgarē salilārṇavē ||
tavahētōrviśālākṣi nalasētuḥ suduṣkaraḥ |

(vālmīki rāmāyaṇ 6-123-16b, 17a)

Ram said to Sita: - "O the large-eyed Sita! Here is the bridge called Nala Setu, which was so difficult to execute for others, got built by me over the salt-sea for your sake.

So Shri Ram built it for the sake of Sita. He was showing and sharing everything with his dearesh Sita, how and what he did when she was not with him.

पश्य सागरमक्षोभ्यन् वैदेहि वरुणालयम् ||
अपारमभिगर्जन्तन् शङ्खशुक्तिनिषेवितम् |

paśya sāgaramakṣōbhyan vaidēhi varuṇālayam ||
apāramabhigarjantan śaṅkhaśuktiniṣēvitam |

(vālmīki rāmāyaṇ 6-123-17b, 18)

O Sita! See this roaring imperturbable and seemingly boundless ocean, the habitation of Varuna (the god of waters), which is teeming well with couches and oyster-shells.

Then Ram started telling glory of Setu (bridge) built by him.

एतत्तु दृश्यते तीर्थं सागरस्य महात्मनः ||
सेतुबन्ध इति ख्यातं त्रैलोक्येन च पूजितम् |
एतत्पवित्रं परमं महापातकनाशनम् ||
अत्र राक्षसराजोऽयमाजगाम विभीषणः |

ētattu dṛśyatē tīrthaṃ sāgarasya mahātmanaḥ ||
sētubandha iti khyātaṃ trailōkyēna ca pūjitam |
ētatpavitraṃ paramaṃ mahāpātakanāśanam ||
atra rākṣasarājō'yamājagāma vibhīṣaṇaḥ |

(vālmīki rāmāyaṇ 6-123-20b,21, 22a)

Here is seen the water-descent of the gigantic ocean, called a Setubandha, adored in all the three worlds. This is very much a sacred spot, capable of washing away major sins. At this very place, Vibhishana the king of demons first came.

श्रीरामसेतु : आध्यात्मिक महत्व का महातीर्थ

वर्तमान समय में श्रीरामसेतुसर्वत्र चर्चा का विषय बना हुआ है। अमेरिकी अंतरिक्ष एजेंसी नासा द्वारा 8अक्टूबर 2002को रामेश्वरमके समीप भारत और श्रीलंका के मध्य समुद्र में एक सेतु खोज लेने के बाद श्रीरामसेतुको काल्पनिक कहकर इसके अस्तित्व को नकार सकना संभव नहीं है। सीताहरण के बाद श्रीराम की वानरसेनाने लंका पर चढाई करने के लिए समुद्र पर सेतु बनाया था। राम-नाम के प्रताप से पत्थर पानी पर तैरने लगे।

रामसेतुका धार्मिक महत्व केवल इससे ही जाना जा सकता है कि स्कन्दपुराणके ब्रह्मखण्डमें इस सेतु के माहात्म्य का बडे विस्तार से वर्णन किया गया है। नैमिषारण्य में ऋषियों के द्वारा जीवों की मुक्ति का सुगम उपाय पूछने पर सूत जी बोले-

दृष्टमात्रेरामसेतौमुक्ति: संसार-सागरात् |
हरे हरौचभक्ति: स्यात्तथापुण्यसमृद्धिता ||
[स्कन्दपुराण ब्रह्मखण्ड]

dṛṣṭamātrērāmasētaumukti: saṃsāra-sāgarāt |
harē haraucabhakti: syāttathāpuṇyasamṛddhitā ||

[skanda-Purāṇa brahmakhaṇḍa]

रामसेतु के दर्शनमात्रसे संसार-सागर से मुक्ति मिल जाती है। भगवान विष्णु और शिव में भक्ति तथा पुण्य की वृद्धि होती है। इसलिए यह सेतु सबके लिए परम पूज्य है।

Skand-Puran says "Just upon a sight of Shri-Ram setu, Jivas get liberation from the ocean of mundane existence and it increases the virtues and devotion in lord VishNu and Shiva. Hence, Ram-setu is worshipable for all."

सेतु-महिमा का गुणगान करते हुए सूतजीशौनकआदि ऋषियों से कहते हैं- सेतु का दर्शन करने पर सब यज्ञों का, समस्त तीर्थो में स्नान का तथा सभी तपस्याओं का पुण्यफलप्राप्त होता है। सेतु-क्षेत्र में स्नान करने से सब प्रकार के पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं तथा भक्त को मरणोपरांत वैकुण्ठ में प्रवेश मिलता है। सेतुतीर्थका स्नान अन्त:करण को शुद्ध करके मोक्ष का अधिकारी बना देता है। पापनाशक सेतुतीर्थमें निष्काम भाव से किया हुआ स्नान मोक्ष देता है। जो मनुष्य धन-सम्पत्ति के उद्देश्य से सेतुतीर्थमें स्नान करता है, वह सुख-समृद्धि पाता है। जो विद्वान चारों वेदों में पारंगत होने, समस्त शास्त्रों का ज्ञान और मंत्रों की सिद्धि के विचार से सर्वार्थसिद्धिदायकसेतुतीर्थमें स्नान करता है, उसे मनोवांछित सिद्धि अवश्य प्राप्त होती है। जो भी सेतुतीर्थमें स्नान करता है, वह इहलोक और परलोक में कभी दु:ख का भागी नहीं होता। जिस प्रकार कामधेनु, चिन्तामणि तथा कल्पवृक्ष समस्त अभीष्ट वस्तुओं को प्रदान करते हैं, उसी प्रकार सेतु-स्नान सब मनोरथ पूर्ण करता है।

रामसेतुके क्षेत्र में अनेक तीर्थ स्थित हैं अत:स्कन्दपुराणमें सेतुयात्राका क्रम एवं विधान भी वर्णित है। सेतुतीर्थमें पहुंचने पर सेतु की वन्दना करें-

रघुवीरपदन्यासपवित्रीकृतपांसवे।
दशकण्ठशिरश्छेदहेतवेसेतवेनम:॥
केतवेरामचन्द्रस्यमोक्षमार्गैकहेतवे।
सीतायामानसाम्भोजभानवेसेतवेनम:॥

raghuvīrapadanyāsapavitrīkṛtapāṃsavē।
daśakaṇṭhaśiraśchēdahētavēsētavēnama:॥
kētavērāmacandrasyamōkṣamārgaikahētavē।
sītāyāmānasāmbhōjabhānavēsētavēnama:॥

(skanda-purāṇa)

"श्रीरघुवीर के चरण रखने से जिसकी धूलि परम पवित्र हो गई है, जो दशानन रावण के सिर कटने का एकमात्र हेतु है, उस सेतु को नमस्कार है। जो मोक्षमार्गका प्रधान हेतु तथा श्रीरामचन्द्रजीके सुयश को फहरानेवालाध्वज है, सीताजीके हृदयकमलके खिलने के लिए सूर्यदेव के समान है, उस सेतु को मेरा नमस्कार है।"

"Salutations to the supremely sacred Ram-setu (the bridge built by lord Ram) again and again, which alone became the medium for elimination of ten-headed demon Ravana (as Ram and his army could cross the ocean through it alone), its' dust was made the supremely sacred by touch of Lord Ram's feet and thus it has become the bestower of liberation to Jivas fallen in material world. This Setu is the flag of Ram's supreme glory and it is the one who delighted the heart of Sita akin to blooming of a lotus flower upon Sun-rise (upon victory of Ram over Ravana, which filled the heart of Sita with joy)."

श्रीरामचरितमानसमें स्वयं भगवान श्रीराम का कथन है-

मम कृत सेतु जो दरसनुकरिही।
सो बिनुश्रम भवसागर तरिही॥

mama kṛta sētu jō darasanukarihī।
sō binuśrama bhavasāgara tarihī॥

(śrī rāmacaritamānasa)

जो मेरे बनाए सेतु का दर्शन करेगा, वह कोई परिश्रम किए बिना ही संसाररूपीसमुद्र से तर जाएगा।

In Shri Ramcharitmanas, Lord Ram says - Those who get vision of the bridge built by me even once, will be liberated very easily.

श्रीमद्वाल्मीकीयरामायण के युद्धकाण्डके 22वेंअध्याय में लिखा है कि विश्वकर्मा के पुत्र वानरश्रेष्ठनल के नेतृत्व में वानरों ने मात्र पांच दिन में सौ योजन लंबा तथा दस योजन चौडा पुल समुद्र के ऊपर बनाकर रामजी की सेना के लंका में प्रवेश का मार्ग प्रशस्त कर दिया था। यह अपने आपमें एक विश्व-कीर्तिमान है। आज के इस आधुनिक युग में नवीनतम तकनीक के द्वारा भी इतने कम समय में यह कारनामा कर दिखाना संभव नहीं लगता।

महर्षि वाल्मीकि रामसेतुकी प्रशंसा में कहते हैं-

अशोभतमहान् सेतु: सीमन्तइवसागरे।

वह महान सेतु सागर में सीमन्त(मांग)के समान शोभित था।

सनलेनकृत: सेतु: सागरेमकरालये । शुशुभेसुभग: श्रीमान् स्वातीपथइवाम्बरे॥

मगरों से भरे समुद्र में नल के द्वारा निर्मित वह सुंदर सेतु आकाश में छायापथके समान सुशोभित था।

Images of Shri Ram-Setu (राम सेतु के दुर्लभ दृश्य)

स्कन्दपुराणके सेतु-माहात्म्य में धनुष्कोटितीर्थ का उल्लेख भी है-

दक्षिणाम्बुनिधौपुण्येरामसेतौविमुक्तिदे।
धनुष्कोटिरितिख्यातंतीर्थमस्तिविमुक्तिदम्॥

dakṣiṇāmbunidhaupuṇyērāmasētauvimuktidē।
dhanuṣkōṭiritikhyātaṃtīrthamastivimuktidam॥

दक्षिण-समुद्र के तट पर जहां परम पवित्र रामसेतुहै, वहीं धनुष्कोटिनाम से विख्यात एक मुक्तिदायक तीर्थ है।

"In southern-most location of India, on shore of ocean there is a supremely glorious Teerth (holy region) named 'Dhanushkoti', the bestower of liberation to Jivas".

इसके विषय में यह कथा है-भगवान श्रीराम जब लंका पर विजय प्राप्त करने के उपरान्त भगवती सीता के साथ वापस लौटने लगे तब लंकापति विभीषण ने प्रार्थना की - प्रभो! आपके द्वारा बनवाया गया यह सेतु बना रहा तो भविष्य में इस मार्ग से भारत के बलाभिमानीराजा मेरी लंका पर आक्रमण करेंगे। लंका-नरेश विभीषण के अनुरोध पर श्रीरामचन्द्रजीने अपने धनुष की कोटि (नोक) से सेतु को एक स्थान से तोडकर उस भाग को समुद्र में डुबो दिया। इससे उस स्थान का नाम धनुष्कोटि हो गया। इस पतितपावनतीर्थ में जप-तप, स्नान-दान से महापातकोंका नाश, मनोकामना की पूर्ति तथा सद्गति मिलती है। धनुष्कोटिका दर्शन करने वाले व्यक्ति के हृदय की अज्ञानमयीग्रंथि कट जाती है, उसके सब संशय दूर हो जाते हैं और संचित पापों का नाश हो जाता है। यहां पिण्डदान करने से पितरोंको कल्पपर्यन्ततृप्ति रहती है। धनुष्कोटितीर्थ में पृथ्वी के दस कोटि सहस्र(एक खरब) तीर्थो का वास है।वस्तुत:रामसेतुमहातीर्थहै। विद्वानों ने इस सेतु को लगभग 17,50,000साल पुराना बताया है। हिन्दू धर्मग्रन्थों में निर्दिष्ट काल-गणना के अनुसार यह समय त्रेतायुगका है, जिसमें भगवान श्रीराम का अवतार हुआ था। सही मायनों में यह सेतु रामकथा की वास्तविकता का ऐतिहासिक प्रमाण है। समुद्र में जलमग्न हो जाने पर भी रामसेतुका आध्यात्मिक प्रभाव नष्ट नहीं हुआ है।

What is the danger on Ram-Setu?

Sethusamudram, a project to create alternative shorter route for ships to cross the Gulf of Mannar, is an idea - one which is more than 150 years old. The channel, originally an idea of a British commander named A D Taylor was put forth in 1860. In 1955, the Government of India set up the Sethusamudram project committee to look into the feasibility of the project. The government of India constituted nine committees before independence, and five committees since then to suggest alignments for a Sethusamudram canal project and five routes were discussed till 2001 but nothing happened. Most of them suggested land-based passages across Rameswaram island and none suggested alignment across Ram's bridge. The Sethusamudram project committee in 1956 also strongly recommended to the Union government of India to use land passages instead of cutting Ram-setu because of the several advantages of land passage.

In 1955, the Government of India set up the Sethusamudram project committee to look into the feasibility of the project and five routes were discussed till 2001 but nothing happened. In 2001, the Government of India approved a multi-million dollar Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project that aims to create a ship channel across the Palk Strait by dredging the shallow ocean floor near Dhanushkodi. The channel is expected to cut over 400 km (nearly 30 hours of shipping time) off the voyage around the island of Sri Lanka. This proposed channel's current alignment requires dredging through Rama's Bridge.

Political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) and Hindu organizations VHP, RSS oppose dredging through the shoal on religious grounds — Rama's Bridge being popularly identified as the causeway described in the Ramayana — and suggest using an alternate alignment for the channel that avoids damage to Ram's Bridge. The state and central government have opposed such changes, with Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu, who belongs to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and a strong supporter of the project, saying the current proposal was well scrutinised for economic viability and environmental sustainability and that there were no other environmentally feasible alternatives...

HistoricaL Ram Video (Must see)

Why Ram-Setu must be protected!

Ram's setu has a lot of significance associated with it which can't be ignored...and regarding the sethu-samudram project, the The project is fine as it aims to reduce the travel cost by reducing the travel-distance and time, but the present route is not, as it involves destruction of a bridge believed to have been built by Lord Rama and Muslims and Christians believe it to be Adam's creation.

There are many concerns also associated with the present proposed route, which should be taken into consideration. As per expert committees suggestions, there are five alternative alignments through land noth through sea to avoid cutting Ram's setu, but Govt of India is adamant to implement this project. Ramasetu is the most authentic proof that once our lord walked on this sacred land of Bharatvarsh! Our future generations would never forgive us if we let it be destroyed by anti-Hindu forces in Govt just for making money.

Spiritual Significance

1. This is a divine bridge built by Lord Ram himself, so whole India and world has obligation to protect this religious monument of great importance.

2. Lord Shri RAma and his vaanar sena had built it around 17 lacs 25 thousands years ago.

3. As described above, the importance of Setu is explained in great details in scriptures. Apart from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata also refers to the continued protection of Nala Setu following Sri Rama's command. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsham also refers to the Setu. So does the Skanda Purana (III 1.2.1-114), the Vishnu Purana (IV 4.40-49), the Agni Purana (V-XI), the Brahma Purana (138.1-40).

Physical Significance

1. Ram Setu (Setu) a natural barrier to Tsunami: During the last tsunami in Dec 2004, the Rama-setu (at a high elevation) from the rest of the shoal accumulations acted as a natural barrier preventing the direct devastation of the entire Indian coastline south and southwest of Nagapattanam. - Dr. Murthy, Chief editor of the reputed International Tsunami Journal "Science of Tsunami Hazards"

If it is destroyed India will suffer with many problems like tsunami and tsunami will hit directly to all the Coastal regions.

2. Threat of Tsunami: Many geologists, earth scientists, and oceanographers have commented critically, against the disastrous consequences of constructing SSCP (Setu-Samudram-Canal-Project). Amongst these is the impending devastation of Kerala, which will suck in after implementation of SSCP, after next Tsunami hits it.

Read details: Sethusamudram project and impending Tsunami devastation

3. Many Naval officials are saying that even after the completion of SSCP, the depth of the canal shall be only 12 meters (about 36 feet ), and only small and medium sized vessels shall be able to pass. Large sized vessels and carriers shall not be able to pass. Hence still there is no much of use of this canal if large sized vessels would have to take alternative long route of south of Sri-Lanka.

4. There is huge amount of natural thorium in sands of southern-part of Kerala and Tamilnadu. It is considered that a large chunk of Thorium would be washed away if Ram Sethu is destroyed. And almost all of it would be lost if another tsunami strikes the southern region. The Sethusamudram Canal, if built after destroying RamSetu, will be beneficial to private parties for easy snatching of beach sand for Thorium available on beaches of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The social organisations which protested against Sethusamudram Project said that since India had rich thorium resources and the technology to use it, the US was pressuring the Govt. of India in Centre to speedily implement the Sethusamudram project (through India-US Nuclear Deal).

So there is a conspiracy behind the curtain on the RamSetu-project, apparently the Nuclear club wants to thwart India’s thorium advantage. "We suspect an international conspiracy to prevent India from becoming a nuclear power as the thorium deposits will meet the country’s requirement for 400 years,” said a spokesperson of the Vishva Hindu Parishad which criticized destroying of Ramsetu.

Social Significance

1. Ocean soil conditions will spoil and there would be adverse impact on marine lives - fishes & Other creature. Local fishermen, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike oppose the present route and are demanding alternative channels, which are available. They say the present channel would destroy marine life and corals. This will kill the trade in shankas (shells) that has a turnover in excess of Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) per annum. Invaluable thorium deposits would be affected, which are too important for our nuclear fuel requirements.

2. The construction of SSCP is trampling upon the feelings and emotions of millions and millions of Hindus.

3. Besides, this bridge is world's oldest man-made structure. It is much much older than the pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China. So It should be declared as world heritage and should be protected at any cost. Geological Survey of India (GSI) carried out a special programme called “Project Rameswaram” that concluded that age data of corals indicate that the Rameswaram island has evolved since 125,000 years ago.

4. Ram Setu has sentimental, religious and historic value.

5. Untile the 15th century, People have crossed the sea using the Rama-Setu, for many thousand years.

One can read more about the Historicity of Lord Ram and Ram-setu here: Historical Ram and Ram-Setu

This page appeals to all devout Hindus to be united to save Shri Ram-Setu which is under threat from anti-Hindu and anti-India forces.

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॥ श्रीसीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥