Thereupon being desirous of achieving victories, Rāvana, the lord of Rākshasas, proud of his strength, began to journey over the earth in the company of the heroic Rākshasas. Whoever, amongst the Daityas, Dānavas and Rākshasis was reported to him as being powerful he used to invite for battle. O king of earth, having thus traversed the whole world, the ten-necked demon saw the saint Nārada returning to his own region from Brahmaloka. Like the second sun he was proceeding through the clouds. Rāvana, with a delighted heart, neared him and addressed the celestial saint Nārada with folded palms, saying: — ‘O thou gifted with six sorts of wealth, thou hast seen many a time all creations from Brahmā down to an insect. Do thou tell me, O great one, the inhabitants of which world are more powerful? I wish to fight with them according to my desire.’ Whereto, thinking for a moment, the celestial saint Nārada replied: — ‘O king, there is an insular continent near the milky ocean. All the inhabitants that live there are gifted with strength—effulgent like the rays of the moon, huge-bodied, highly powerful and have a voice deep as the muttering of the clouds. They are all greatly beautiful, patient and have huge arms. O king of Rākshasas, I have seen in Swetadwipa such powerful men, as thou dost want to see on this earth.’ Hearing the words of Nārada, Rāvana said: — ‘O celestial saint, why are the inhabitants of Swetadwipa powerful? And how did those high-souled ones come to live there? O lord, do thou relate to me everything at length. Thou dost observe the whole universe like a myrobalam in thy palms.’ Hearing the words of Rāvana, the celestial saint said: — ‘O lord of Rākshasas, the inhabitants of Swetadwipa are perpetually devoted unto Nārāyana with whole-mindedness and earnestly worship Him. They have always their hearts and minds devoted unto Him and are all high-souled. Having rendered their lives and souls unto Nārāyana, they have been blessed with their abode in Swetadwipa. Those, who are slain in the encounter with his bow bent by Vishnu—the holder of discus and the preserver of the world, attain to the celestial region. Neither by sacrifice, devout penance, self-control nor excellent gifts may be obtained the celestial region full of bliss.’ Hearing the words of Nārada, the Ten necked demon was worked up with surprise and meditating for some time said ‘I shall enter into conflict with him.’ Thereupon inviting Nārada he proceeded to Swetadwipa. Thinking for a long time and being curious to witness that wondrous encounter, Nārada speedily went there. He was ever fond of sport and warfare. Filling all the quarters with dreadful leonine roars Rāvana with all the Rākshasas moved towards the Swetadwipa. After Nārada had reached there, the illustrious Dashānana went to that insular continent beyond even the reach of the celestials. Being struck by the radiant heat of that insular continent, the Puspaka car, of the mighty Rāvana, could not stand there like clouds scattered by the wind. Having arrived at that dreadful insular continent the councillors of the lord of Rākshasas, fearfully said to Rāvana. ‘O lord, we are all stupified and beside ourselves with fear. We cannot anyhow stand here; how shall we fight?’ Saying this the Rākshasas fled away into all directions. And Dashānana too sent away his golden car Pushpaka with them. Having thus sent away his chariot and assuming a dreadful figure he alone entered Swetadwipa. At the time of his entering he was seen by the females there. One of them holding him by the hand and smiling said ‘Why hast thou come hither? Who art thou? Who is thy father? and what for hast thou come here? Do thou definitely say.’ Hearing those words, O king, Rāvana, in anger said: — ‘I am the son of the ascetic Visrava, I am Rāvana by name; I have come hither being desirous of fighting; but I do not behold anyone here.’ The vicious-souled Rāvana having said this all the young damsels laughed gently. But one of them, being enraged, took up Rāvana, like a child, as if in sport and hurled him amongst her companions. And addressing another she said: — ‘Behold, I have caught this black Rāvana, having twenty arms and ten faces, like a small insect.’ Thereupon Rāvana, being worn out with hurling, passed from one one hand to another. Being thus hurled the learned and powerful Rāvana, in anger, severely bit the palms of that fair one. Being overwhelmed with pain that damsel let him off. Thereupon, another, taking that Rākshasa-chief, rose up in the welkin. Rāvana, again waxing wroth tore her with his nails. And being left off by that damsel, the terrified night-ranger fell down into the waters of the deep. The females, inhabiting that insular continent again and again in this wise hurled Rāvana. Beholding him thus distressed the highly effulgent Nārada danced in joy and surprise. O thou having long arms, being apprised of this, the vicious-souled Rāvana stole away Sitā with a view to meet death at thy hands. Thou art Nārāyana, holding discus, conch and club; thou hast in thy hands the bow, a lotus, thunder-bolt and other weapons; thou art worshipped of all deities; thou art graced with the mystic mark Sribatsa, adored by all celestials, hast a lotus navel, art a great ascetic, and Hrishikesha declaring fearlessness unto all devotees. Thou hast assumed a human form to bring about the destruction of Rāvana. Dost thou not recognise thyself as Nārāyana? O great one, do not forget thyself; do thou recollect thy real self. The Patriarch Brahmā said that thou art subtler than the subtle. Thou art the the three qualities, the three Vedas and the regions—that of the celestials, of the mortals and the region under the earth. Thy work is manifest in time, past, present and future; thou art the observer of three Vedas and the destroyer of the enemies of the celestials. With thy three steps, thou didst, in the days of yore, traverse the three worlds. Thou wert born of Aditi, as the youngest brother of Indra for binding Bali. Thou art the eternal Vishnu. To extend thy favours unto humanity thou hast been born as man. O foremost of the celestials, the work of the deities hath been accomplished. The vicious Rāvana, with his sons and relatives, hath been slain. The Rishis, having piety for their wealth and all the deities have been pleased. O foremost of gods—all this hath been brought about by thy favours; and the whole universe hath been pacified. Sitā is the very personation of Lakshmi, sprung from earth. It is for thee that she hath been born in the race of Janaka. Bringing her into Lankā Rāvana protected her with care like his mother. Rāma, I have thus related to thee the entire story. Hearing this from the Rishi Sanatkumar, the long-lived Nārada described this unto me. Dashānana, to a letter I followed the instructions of Sanatkumar. Who ever listens to this story at the time of Sraddha, the rice, offered by him, becoming inexhaustible, reaches his manes.” Hearing this celestial theme, the lotus-eyed Rāma along with his brothers was greatly surprised. And having their eyes expanded with delight the monkeys, with Sugriva, the Rākshasas with Bibhishana, the kings with their councillors, and all other assembled pious Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, delightedly espied Rāma. Thereupon the highly effulgent Agastya said to Rāma: — “O Rāma, we have all seen thee and been honoured; now we shall depart.” Saying this, they, being honored, repaired to their respective habitations. The sun set, Rāma, the foremost of men, gave farewell to monkeys and their king and duly went through the Sandhya rite. Gradually night set in and he entered the inner appartment.