Hearing himself compared to a glow-worm and Rama to the sun, and exasperated at her harsh words, the monster drew his sword and cried,

‘Sita, you have insulted me. Therefore with my relentless sword will I cut off your head. If you do not want me to do so, obey my behest at once, my fair lady, or else you lose your life!’

‘Lovely as a string of dark lotuses, said’ Sita, ‘and mighty and long as an elephant’s trunk are my lord’s arms, Ten headed! Either those arms shall have my neck or else your dread sword. Hear me, you villain; I swear it solemnly!

Put an end, O Chandrahasa (Ravana’s gleaming scimitar), to the burning anguish of my heart, born of the fire of separation from Raghunatha! The blade you wield is cool, sharp and kind; rid me of my burden of grief!’

On hearing these words, he rushed forward to slay her; but Mandodari (intervened and) restrained him with words of good counsel. Summoning all the female demons (posted there), he said, ‘Go and intimidate Sita in every way.

If she obey me not in a month’s time, then will I draw my sword and slay her.’

(Having issued these instructions) the Ten-headed returned to his palace, while the troop of female fiends here assumed many hideous shapes and began to intimidate Sita.