Invoking the mighty Lord Shiva, he entreated him, ‘Hear my prayer, O ever-gracious Lord! You are easily pleased and are every ready to grant every wish; recognize in me a poor suppliant and remove my distress!

As you direct the hearts of all (as the prompter of their actions), so inspire Rama that he may disregard my word and stay at home, abandoning all sense of propriety and filial affection.

Let world-wide disgrace be my lot and let my fair fame perish; may I sink into hell rather than mount to heaven; be it mine to endure the most intolerable pain rather than have Rama lost to my sight!’

Thinking thus to himself, the king spoke not a word, and his mind quivered like a fig-tree’s leaf. When Raghunatha perceived that his father was overpowered with love, and thought that his mother (Kaikeyi) might say something again,

-he spoke after due deliberation words which were not only humble but also suited to the place and time and occasion, ‘Dear father, I make bold to submit something; pray forgive this impropriety on my part by reason of my childish years.

You are grieving for a very trifling matter; and the pity of it is that nobody apprised me of this before. When I saw you, sire, I questioned my mother and was well content when heard the whole story.

Grieve not out of affection, dearly father, at a time of rejoicing, but command me to go with a glad heart.’ So spoke the Lord with a thrill of heartfelt joy and a body quivering with emotion.