Holy men, O Ten-headed, have laid down this rule that a monarch should retire to the forest when he is old. There, my husband, you should adore him who is the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.

So, lord, renouncing all worldly ties, worship that Raghubira who is ever gracious to the suppliant. He for whose sake the greatest of sages undertake austerities and monarchs relinquish their thrones and shed every attachment,

- even that Raghunatha, lord of Kosala, has come here to shower his grace upon you. If, my beloved, you submit to my advice, your renown, fair and exceedingly pure, shall spread through the three spheres’.

So saying, she clasped his feet, and with eyes full of tears and trembling all over, she added, ‘My lord, worship Raghunatha, that my happy wedded life may last till eternity!’

Thereupon Ravana raised Maya’s daughter (Mandodari) and the wretch began to boast of his own glory: ‘Listen, darling, you are haunted by idle fears; what warrior in the world is my equal?

I have subdued by the might of my arm not only Varuna (the god presiding over the waters), Kubera (the god of riches), the wind-god, Yama (the god of Punishment), and all other guardians of the quarters, but Death himself. Gods, demons and men are all in my power; what cause can have arisen for your fears, then?’

Ravana thus reassured her in many ways and again went and took his seat in the council-chamber. Mandodari was now convinced in her heart that it was his impending death which had made him so arrogant.