Just as a frosty night spells disaster to a bed of lotuses, so has Sita come here for the ruin of your race. Listen, my lord; unless you surrender Sita, not even Shambhu and Brahma can be of any good to you.

Rama’s arrows are like a throng of serpents, and the demon host so many frogs; give up obstinacy and do the best you can before the serpents swallow them up.’

When the foolish Ravana, who was known throughout the world for his arrogance, heard Mandodari’s admonition, he roared with laughter. ‘Of truth,’ he said, ‘a woman is timorous by nature, ill at ease even in prosperity (when things go well) and weak-hearted too!

If the monkey host does come, the poor demons would feast on them and live! The very guardians of the spheres tremble for fear of me; it is quite ridiculous that you, my wife, should be afraid!’

So saying, he laughed aloud and embraced her and then left for his council-chamber, exhibiting great affection for her. But Mandodari was anxious at heart and thought that God was hostile to her lord.

When he took his seat in the council-chamber, news was brought to him that all the invading host had crossed the sea. Then he asked his ministers to tell him what they thought best to be done. They all laughed and submitted, ‘Don’t be uneasy;

you experienced no difficulty when you conquered gods and demons; of what account, then, are men and monkey?