Setubandh Sarovar

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Setubandh Sarovar / सेतुबन्ध सरोवर

On the order of the Gopis, Shri Krishna, in the mood of Shri Rama, had the Vanars construct a bridge here. Even today, one can see the ruins of this bridge of rocks in the lake. Ramashvar Mahadev presides north of this lake. He was installed by Shri Krishna when Krishna assumed the mood of Shri Rama. Lankapuri, as a hillock, is situated to the south of the lake across from Rameshvar Mahadev. One day, the supremely playful Shri Krishna was sitting in the shade under the trees on the northern bank of this lake, together with the gopis, and was joking and laughing with vinodini Radhika. At that time, many vanars from nearby places descended from the trees, being attracted by Krishna's sweet beauty. They respectfully bowed at His lotus feet, sang in joy, jumped and danced. Several vanars took very long leaps from trees on the southern bank of the lake and landed near His lotus feet, and Bhagavan Shri Krishna praised their bravery. Watching this amazing pastime charmed the gopis. They began to describe the astonishing pastimes of Bhagavan Shri Ramachandra and said that He received help from vanars. At that time, Lalita said, "We have heard that in Treta Yug the greatly powerful Hanuman crossed the ocean in one leap, and today we are seeing with our own eyes vanars crossing this lake in one single jump." Hearing this, Krishna proudly declared, "Do you know, I was Shri Rama in Treta Yug. I performed all these pastimes as Rama." Lalita praised the amazing pastimes of Shri Ramachandra and then said, "You are a liar. You were never Rama. Such bravery is impossible for You."
Shri Krishna smiled and replied, "You do not believe Me, but I did take the form of Rama, and I married Sita after breaking the bow of Shiv in Janakpuri. On the order of My father, with bow in hand, together with Sita and Lakshman, I roamed through Chitrakut and Dandakaranya where I killed cruel and tyrannical demons. Thereafter, I wandered from forest to forest in separation from Sita, destroyed Ravan and Lankapuri with the help of the vanars, and then returned to Ayodhya. Now I carry a flute, roam from forest to forest tending and grazing the cows, and perform pastimes with My beloved Radhika in the company of you gopis. Previously, when I came as Rama, My bow and arrow made the three worlds tremble. Now, however, all living beings, both moving and non-moving, are becoming maddened by the sweet sound of My flute."
Smiling, Lalita said, "Mere words will not convince us. If You can show some valour like that of Shri Rama, then we might believe You. Shri Rama arranged for a bridge to be constructed by bears and vanars so that He could cross an ocean eight hundred miles wide with His entire army. If You can get these vanars to construct a bridge over this small lake, then we can believe You." Hearing Lalita's words, Shri Krishna assembled all the vanars in a moment by sounding His flute. He ordered them to construct a bridge over the lake using flat stones. On the order of Shri Krishna, thousands of Vanars immediately and eagerly started to help build the bridge, bringing stones from distant places. This occurred right before the gopis' eyes. Shri Krishna then constructed the bridge with His own hands with the stones brought by the vanars. He installed His Rameshvar Mahadev at the start of the bridge, on the northern side of the lake. These places can be seen to this day. This lake is also called Lanka Kund.