It has its dwelling in te east as in a mountain cave, pre-eminent in grandeur, glory and strength; as a lion, ranging through the woods, rends asunder the head of a wild elephant, so the moon, pacing the plain of heaven, dispels the darkness of the night.

The stars appear like so many pearls strewn all over the sky, which serve to adorn the Lady Night.’ ‘Now tell me, my brothers,’ continued the Lord, ‘what are the dark spots on the moon? Let each one of your express his opinion.’

Said Sugriva, ‘Listen, Raghunatha; it is only the shadow of the earth that is seen in the moon.’ ‘Rahu struck the moon,’ said another, ‘and that is why a scar is left on its bosom.’

A third suggested: ‘When God fashioned Rati’s face, he stole from the moon a part of its essence, and this is the hole that is still visible in the moon’s breast, and in it can be seen the shadow of the sky.’

‘Poison,’ said the Lord, ‘is the moon’s most beloved brother; that is why it has lodged it in its bosom, and, darting abroad its poisonous rays, burns up parted lovers.’

‘Hear me, Lord,’ said Hanuman; ‘the moon is your own beloved servant and it is your image enshrined in its bosom that shadows forth the darkness.’

The all-wise Rama smiled to hear the words of the Son of the Wind. Then turning towards the south, the all-merciful Lord said,