Then, realizing his own disquietude, he turned with a laugh to his palace, forgetting his fears. When Mandodari (Ravana’s consort) heard that the Lord had arrived and bridged the ocean as though it were a child’s play.

-she took her spouse by the hand, led him to her own chamber and addressed him in these winning words, bowing her head before his feet and spreading the hem of her garment as a token of supplication: ‘Listen to my words, my beloved, and be not worth.

You should fight, sire, with one whom you may be able to conquer either by wit or by physical force. The disparity between yourself and Raghunatha is of a truth like that between a poor little firefly and the sun.

He who slew the valiant Madhu and Kaitabha and worsted the mighty sons of Diti (Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha), he who bound Bali and despatched Sahasrabahu, he it is who has now become incarnate to relieve earth of its burdens.

Oppose not him, my lord, in whose hand are fate and destiny and the lives of all creatures!

Bow your head before Rama’s lotus feet and deliver up Janaka’s daughter to him; then entrust the kingdom to your son and, retiring into the woods, worship Raghunatha.

Raghunatha, sire, is compassionate to the humble; even a tiger will not devour one who goes submissively to him (i.e., lies prostrate as if dead). You have already done all that you had to do; you have conquered not only gods and demons but all animate and inanimate creation.