OM

IMPORTANCE OF RAMA SETU

Dr.M. Ramulu
BVSc & AH: NDPVM
Retd Asst. Director (AH)

Phone:

Cell No. 9346353054
Res No. 040 27621210

Next to Vedas, Upanishads and Srimad Bhagvad Gita the Ramayana and Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharatam are the most authoritative of Indian scriptures of Hindus. Hinduism is an ancient and the living Religion of India. More than two hundred million Hindus all over the world find their most cherished expressions of religious faith in these scriptures. Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, one of the latest Indian Prophets says that the contents of these ancient scriptures is “fried in the butter of knowledge and steeped in the honey of love”.

Rama Setu was constructed in Trethayuga by the Army of Vanaras under the commandership of Sri Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Sri Rama, the seventh incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu to reach Lanka and to save Sita Mata wife of Lord Rama who was kidnapped by Ravana, the Asura King of Lanka from the forest. This 30 km long bridge was built by throwing huge boulders and big trees into the sea by Vanaras with the help of Nala did not sink in water because Nala S/o Vishwakarma an architect and builder of Devas in his childhood lived in the hermitage of Pashukanva Muni. He used to throw all the objects of Muni’s Ashram in sea. Vexed by his childhood acts the great Muni cursed him that whatever object he throws in water will not sink. In addition to this the Vanaras wrote the name of Lord Rama on every object thrown into the sea. Hence, the objects did not sink in water. Thus, with hard and devoted labour of Vanara Army and with the blessings of Lord Rama the construction of Rama Setu was done. Lord Rama, Laxmana alongwith Sugriva, the king of Vanaras and his huge Army under the command of Sri Veera Hanuman crossed the ocean and waged war on Lanka. Ravana the king of Lanka was killed by Sri Rama in war and thus saved Sita from the clutches of cruel Ravana.

It is deplorable and misfortune that the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on behalf of Government filed an affidavit in Supreme Court recently stating that there is no proof available that Rama Setu/Adam’s bridge was constructed by any one. Thus, the affidavit directly or indirectly questioned Sri Ramavatar the existence of his great devotee Hanuman and Ramayana has been reduced to the level of an ordinary novel or story book.

In fact the History and Archeology are the subjects emerged just few hundred of years back whereas Sri Ramavatar of Ramayana occurred in Trethayuga i.e. thousands of years ago. After that even Dwaparayuga had passed off and now kaliyuga is running. So, it is beyond the reach of Archeologists, Geologists or Oceanologists to get the proof about the construction of Rama Setu.

Even the commercial minded Britishers who ruled our India for about three centuries by adopting divide and rule policy did not dare to damage Rama Setu because of its heritage value and sentiments of Hindu’s attached to it though they got this idea about one and half century back. But, some politicians are evincing keen interest to take up “Setu Samudram Canal Project” by demolishing Rama Setu. So, such politicians can be compared with the then Ravana, though he was highly learned scholar of Vedas, Upanishads, very powerful and great devotee of Lord Shiva committed the crime of kidnapping Sita, an act of Adharma due to which not only he lost his life but also of his whole family and his entire Asura Race. So, those who deny the existence of Sri Ramavatar, his devotee Sri Hanuman and nourish any doubts about Rama Setu would have to fact the same fate as that of Ravana. Rama Setu, is not only a symbol of love of Sri Rama for Sita but also the main purpose of his incarnation to protect Dharma and destruction of Adharma by punishing or eliminating the sinners. Hence, the saying “Ramo Vigrahan Dharmah”.

The harmful effects and disadvantages upon damaging Rama Setu as per experts opinion thousands of Aquatic creatures thriving under the sea because of Rama Setu are not affected by the Powerful waves of the Ocean. If Rama Setu is destroyed all these creatures would be perished resulting thousand of fishermen loosing their livelihood.

Professor TN Murthy, world famous Tsunami expert warned that by demolishing Rama Setu, if Tsuanmi happens to occur in future the whole of southern Tamilnadu and parts of Kerala State will be submerged as Rama Setu is protecting like boundary wall to Kerala.

There is lot of the Thorium (an alternative to Uranium) deposits along the length of Rama Setu which is estimated to suffice for production of electricity for about 400 years, which we may have to loose if Rama Setu is demolished. In addition to above on removal of Rama Setu this area would come into International Waters Jurisdiction and warships of other countries may sail by this route which may prove harmful for the security of Nation.

Hindusim, the Religion of India which we cherished for generations, its values and ideology of this religion are under unprecedented attack at present Sri Ramakrishna Bhagavan says that the reason for the Religions getting degenerated is just like the rain water is pure but by the time it reaches the Earth, it gets dirty because the water passes through dirty roofs, pipes and channels. So, the water discharged through them also become dirty. Hence, the Religion gets defiled by the medium through which it manifests.

However, the wisdom prevailed in some political leaders and opposed the proposal of demolition of Rama Setu/ Adam’s bridge tooth and nail and suggested to the Central Government to take up the construction of Setu Samudram Canal Project without damaging Rama Setu and declare it as world heritage site so that the sentiments and feelings of majority population of India do not hurt as Lord Rama and Ramayana are the integral part of Indian culture in general and of Hindus in particular.

Jai Sri Ram

References:

1. Srimad Bhagavatam
Translated by Swami Prabhavananda

2. Personality development through Human Excellence
(Dedication commemorative volume) issued by Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence, Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad – 500 029 on completion of 25 years of service (issued on 10-17 September, 2000.

3. Panchamukhi – Issue of October, 2007

4. Media reports – in the columns of Deccan Chronicle of September, 2007.