But then it was filled up again by the floods of tears shed by your enemies’ weeping wives, and that is what makes it salt.’ When the monkeys heard Hanuman’s ingenious conceit, they were filled with rapture as they looked towards Rama.

Jambavan sent for the two brothers, Nala and Nila, and related to them the whole story. ‘Call to mind the glory of Rama,’ he said, ‘and build the bridge, you will find no difficulty.’

Next, he summoned the monkey troops and said, ‘Hear, all of you, this prayer of mine; enshrine in your hearts the lotus feet of Rama and, bears and monkeys, engage yourself in this sportive toil.

Go forth, you hosts of formidable monkeys, and bring hither heaps of trees and hills.’ On hearing this, the monkeys and bears set forth shouting ‘Hurrah! Glory to Raghunatha an all his might.’

They would root up the tallest trees and hills in mere sport and bring them to Nala and Nila, who set to work to build the bridge.

The monkeys brought huge mountains, which were handled like playballs by Nala and Nila. When the All-merciful saw the bridge so beautifully constructed, he smiled and said,

‘Most charming and delightful is this spot, too immeasurably glorious to be described in words; here will set up (an image of) Shambhu; this is my firm resolve.