I propitiate the two lotus feet of Janaki, Janaka’s daughter, mother of the world, best beloved of him in whom all mercy dwells, that by her grace I may attain to unclouded understanding.

Again, in thought and word and deed I worship the lotus feet of Raghunatha, all-powerful, lotus-eyed, bearing bow and arrows, destroying all the misfortunes of the faithful and granting them joy.

I do homage to the feet of Sita and Rama, the refuge of the distressed, who are truly one, as a word and its meaning, water and the wave are one and inseparable, though they are distinguished in speech.

I do homage to Rama, the name of Raghunatha, the source of all light, whether of the fire, or the sun, or the moon; essence of Brahma, Hari and Hara; vital breath of the Vedas; the impersonal, the unique, the treasure-house of all perfections;

-the Great Spell muttered by Shiva, who enjoins it as effecting salvation at Kashi. Ganesha knows its power, for by the might of the Name he is first to be worshipped.

The most ancient poet Valmiki knew the power of the Name, for he was purified by repeating it backwards. Hearing from Shiva that the name of Rama is equal to a thousand other names, Bhavani repeats it unceasingly with her husband (she repeats it and joins her husband’s meal).

And when he saw her simple, heartfelt love, Shiva rejoiced and made that ornament of women the ornament of his own person. Shiva knows well the power of the Name, by virtue of which the deadly poison (swallowed by him) changed into nectar.