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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 10: Verses 10-17
An account of Sri Rama's pastimes
Observing the demon Marica deputed in the form of a weird (golden) deer, 0 protector of men, by Ravana (the ten-headed monster)-whose passion had been kindled on hearing a descriptionaforesaid deer), '(from He forthwith killed Marica with an arrow away from His hermitage (by the afore (even) as Virabhadra (who was no other than Lord Siva) slew Daksa* (a lord of created beings). On Sita (the Daughter of Janaka, the ruler of the Videha country, now known as Tirhut in north Bihar) having been (forcibly) carried away in the forest during His absence by Ravana (the vilest of the demons), even as (a sheep is snatched away by a wolf), the Lord, who was (thus) disunited from His beloved Consort, wandered in that forest alongwith His (younger) brother (Laksmana) like a forlorn creature, exemplifying in that way the (sad) plight of those attached to women. Having cremated (like a devoted son) Jatayu (the king of vultures)--who had (all) his (stock of) Karma wiped out through his (heroic) action (in the shape of a duel with the mighty Ravana) for His own sake (for the deliverance of His beloved Spouse from the clutches of that tyrant)-the Lord slew the demon Kabandha (who had stretched his arms to seize Him). (Then,) cultivating friendship with the monkeys (Sugriva, Hanuman and others) and ascertaining through them, when Vail had been killed, the whereabouts of His Darling, the Lord-who behaved as a human being even though His feet are worshipped (even) by Brahma (the birthless creator) and Lord Siva (the Source of creation)-marched with the forces of Sugriva (the ruler of the monkeys) to the seashore. The deity presiding over the ocean found the crocodiles and alligators in it agitated by a fierce glance cast by Him in seeming anger (provoked by his failure to appear before the Lord in spite of His waiting for him for three days without food and water), nay, its very roar silenced through fear. (Therefore,) assuming a living form and taking articles of worship on his head, he approached the Lord's lotus-feet and spoke as follows:-"Dull-witted as we are, 0 infinite Lord, we ate unable to know You, the most ancient Person, the immutable supreme Ruler of (all) the worlds. (Surely) You are (no other than) that Lord of Prakrti (consisting of the three Gunas) from whose Sattvika aspect sprang up hosts of divinities, from whose Rajasika aspect, the (various) lords of created beings and from whose Tamasika aspect appeared the lords of ghosts. (Be pleased now to) march (across the ocean) at Your will; slay Ravana (the refuse of his father, the sage Visrava), who (by his atrocities) makes the three worlds weep; recover Your Spouse, O valiant One; (and) for the expansion of Your fame construct here a bridge, reaching which monarchs intent on the conquest of the (four) quarters may sing Your glory." Having (accordingly) constructed across the sea a bridge with mountain-peaks of every description-full of trees the boughs of which were shaken by the hands of monkey chiefs (who handled them)-the Lord, accompanied by armies (of monkeys) led by Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, entered under the guidance of Vibhisana (the fortress of) Lanka, already burnt (by Hanuman in course of his quest for Sita). With its sports grounds, granaries, treasuries, doorways, city-gates, council-chambers, porticos and pigeon-cots occupied by the army of monkey chiefs and its platforms, flags, jars of gold (placed on both sides of its entrances) and crossroads being destroyed, the city shook like a river churned by herds of elephants.
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