“This too marks the glory of Rama’s Name, O prince of sages, for it is this very Name that Shiva in his compassion imparts to the dying soul in Kashi. I ask you, my lord, who that Rama is; pray explain to me, O treasure-house of compassion!

“One such Rama is the prince of Ayodhya, whose exploits are known to all the world. Infinite was his grief at the loss of his wife; and flying into a rage he slew Ravana in battle.

“Is it this very Rama, my lord, or someone else whose name Shiva, the slayer of the demon Tripura, ever repeats? You are the abode of truth and omniscient; so ponder the matter well and tell me.

“Tell me the story in detail, my lord, so that my overwhelming perplexity may be overcome.” Yajnavalkya smilingly said, “The sovereign power of Raghunatha is already known to you.

You are a votary of Rama in though and word and deed; I have come to know your stratagem. You wish to hear an account of the hidden virtues of Rama; that is why you have put your questions as if you were completely ignorant.

Listen then, my friend, with devout attention while I narrate the glorious story of Rama. Appalling ignorance is the gigantic demon Mahishasura (so called because he was endowed with the form of a buffalo); while the narrative of Rama is the fearsom Kalika (to slay the demon).

The story of Rama is like the moonbeams, and the saints are the partridges that drink of them. A similar doubt was expressed by Parvati, and then Mahadeva expounded the matter in detail.