The Sanatana Project

When one thinks of the Rāmāyaṇa, the image of Lord Rāma’s army building a bridge across the vast ocean to reach Lanka instantly comes to mind. This legendary causeway, known as Rām Setu, is not just an epic engineering marvel but also a symbol of faith, devotion, and divine will.

The Scriptural Account

The story of Rām Setu is described in the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa (Yuddha Kāṇḍa, sarga 22). After Hanumān’s return with news of Sītā, Rāma prepared to cross the ocean with his vānaras (monkey warriors).

When Rāma prayed for safe passage, the Sagara – Ocean God, rose and addressed Him with folded hands:

“O excellent man! This one, named Nala, a glorious person, is the son of Viśvakarma; who was given a boon by his father and is equal to Viśvakarma.”
(22.44)

“Let this greatly energetic monkey build a bridge across me. I can hold that bridge. He is just the same as his father.”
(22.45)

Thus, the task was entrusted to Nala, son of Viśvakarma, the divine architect. His companion Neela, son of Agni, had a unique boon that stones he touched would float. Together, they guided the vānaras in the monumental work.

Building the Bridge

Following Nala and Neela’s direction, the vānaras gathered mountains, stones, and trees of every kind. Vālmīki vividly describes the scene:

“Those monkeys filled the ocean with all types of trees like Śāla and Aśvakarṇa, Dhava and bamboo, Kuṭaja, Arjuna, palmyra, Tilaka, Tiṇisa, Bilva, Saptaparṇa, Karṇikā in blossom, as also mango and Aśoka.”
(22.54–55)

The mighty bridge gradually rose across the ocean, held firm by the grace of the divine.

“That beautiful and lovely bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean, the abode of alligators, shone brightly like a milky way of stars in the sky.”
(22.72)

The work was so wondrous that even the heavens marveled at it:

“The celestials and Gandharvas, the heavenly musicians, saw Nala’s bridge, having a width of ten yojanas and a length of a hundred yojanas, and which was very difficult to be built.”
(22.74)

Within just five days, the impossible had been achieved: a bridge spanning the ocean, enabling the vānaras to march toward Lanka.

Popular Belief vs Scriptural Account

Many people have heard the popular story that the vānaras wrote Rām’s name on the stones, which is why they floated.
However, this version is not found in the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.

What the scripture says:

• Stones floated because of the boon of Nala and Neela (one inherited from Viśvakarma, one from Agni).
• There is no mention of inscribing “Rām” on stones is made in the original epic.

Where the “Rām’s Name” story comes from:

• It spread later through folk retellings, Bhakti movement poetry, kathās, and devotional literature.
• The idea highlights the power of God’s name (nāma mahimā)

As to why it stayed popular, spiritually, it teaches: just as stones floated by Rām’s name, so too a heavy heart can float across the ocean of suffering when lifted by devotion.

Symbolism of Rām Setu

• Faith Bridges the Impossible: The vānaras’ stones floated not due to natural laws, but because of divine grace. Faith made the impossible possible.
• Nala and Neela as Instruments of Dharma: Gifted sons of celestial beings, their divine boons remind us that talents are meant to serve dharma.
• The Bridge of Bhakti: Just as a causeway was built across the sea, so too must a devotee build a bridge of faith to cross the ocean of saṃsāra.

Cultural Significance

For millennia, Rām Setu has been revered as sacred. Pilgrims at Rāmeśvaram still worship near its shores, and in the cultural memory of Bharat, the bridge is more than geography — it is testimony to the power of devotion, divine guidance, and human effort.

Closing Thought

The question “Who built Rām Setu?” can be answered directly: Nala, son of Viśvakarma, and Neela, son of Agni, led the vānaras in its construction under Rāma’s command.
But on a deeper level, the bridge was not made merely of stones and trees — it was made of faith. Just as the vānaras crossed the sea through their devotion, each of us must cross the oceans of hardship, doubt, and saṃsāra through faith, surrender, and effort. In this sense, Rām Setu continues to live on — not just in history, but in the heart of every devotee.

References

• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Sarga 22:
  • Verse 44 – Nala described as son of Viśvakarma.
  • Verse 45 – Sagara declares Nala equal to his father and capable of building the bridge.
  • Verses 54–55 – Vānaras filling the ocean with trees.
  • Verse 72 – The bridge shining like the milky way.
  • Verse 74 – Celestials and Gandharvas marvel at the bridge.
• Secondary sources: Folk stories and Bhakti literature explaining the “stones with Rām’s name” tradition.