So now I repeat, as well as I can, the dialogue between Parvati and Shiva. Hear then, O sage, the time and the occasion of this dialogue; on hearing it, all despondency will vanish.

Once upon a time, in the Tretayuga, Shiva called on the jar-born sage Agastya. His consort, Bhavani Sati, the Mother of the world, accompanied him. The seer worshipped him, knowing him as Lord of all.

The great sage narrated at length the story of Rama and Shiva listened to it with the utmost delight. The seer then inquired about perfect faith in Hari and Shiva explained it, finding in the sage a worthy recipient.

Thus narrating and hearing the tale of Raghunatha’s virtues, the lord of Kailasa (Shiva) spent some days there. Finally, bidding farewell to the sage, Shiva went home (Mount Kailasa) with Daksha’s daughter (Sati).

Now at that time, with a view to relieving the earth of its burdens, Hari became incarnate in the family of Raghu. Renouncing his right to the throne at the word of his father (Dasharath), the immortal Lord was wandering in the Dandaka forest as an ascetic.

Mahadeva kept pondering as he went, ‘How can I obtain a sight of him? The Lord has become incarnate secretly; and if I visit him, everyone will know who he is’.

In Shankara’s heart was a great tumult, but Sati did not comprehend the mystery; he longed to see Rama, but though his eyes were greedy for the sight, says Tulasi, his soul was afraid.