‘Yes,’ said Angad, ‘the Son of the Wind told me how truly you appreciate merit. He laid waste your grove and killed your son and burnt your city and yet (in your eyes) he did you no harm.

It was in reliance upon your magnanimity. Ten-headed, that I have been so insolent in my behaviour. On coming here, I have seen for myself all that Hanuman told me, that you have no sense of shame, no anger, no resentment.’

‘With a mentality like that, monkey,’ said Ravana, ‘you must have proved to be the death of your father!’ and with that Ravana burst into a laugh. ‘having been the death of my father,’ said Angad, ‘I would have next claimed you as my victim, had I not just thought of something else.’

It’s because I look upon you as a memorial to Bali’s unsullied renown that I desist from slaying you, you wretched braggart! Tell me, Ravana, how many Ravanas are there in the world? Listen while I count how many I have heard of with my own ears.

Who went to the lower world to conquer Bali and was tied up in a stable by the children, who made sport of him and gave him a sound drubbing till Bali took compassion on him and let him go.

Another again was discovered by Sahasrabahu, who ran and, considering him a strange wild creature, captured him and brought him home for a show, till the sage Pulastya came and secured his release.

There was yet another of whom I can only speak with great embarrassment. He was, held tight under Bali’s arm. Be not angry, Ravana, but tell me plainly, which of all these Ravanas are you?