You are the preceptor of the three worlds, so declare the Vedas; what can other base creatures know of these mysteries? Shiva was pleased to hear Parvati’s questions, naturally sincere and guileless as they were.

The whole of Rama’s acts thronged in upon Mahadeva’s soul; his eyes filled with tears and his very limbs thrilled with rapture; for the vision of Rama filled his heart, and this brought measureless delight to Shiva, who is himself an embodiment of supreme bliss.

For an hour or so Shiva was lost in blissful contemplation. Then he recovered himself and began joyfully to tell of Raghunatha’s acts.

‘To him who knows not Rama even the unreal passes for real, just as ignorance leads us to mistake a rope for a snake. To him who knows Rama the world of matter vanishes, just as the illusion of a dream disappears as soon as we wake up.

I reverence the same Rama as a child, the repetition of whose Name brings all perfections within our easy reach. May that home of bliss and bane of woe take compassion on me, - he who sports in Dasharath’s courtyard!’

Tripurari (slayer of the demon Tripura) did reverence to Rama and joyfully spoke in mellifluous accents: ‘Blessed, blessed are you, O daughter of the Mountain King! There is no such benefactor as you!

You have asked me to repeat the story of the lord of Raghus, which is potent enough to sanctify all the spheres as the Ganga purifies the world. You are full of love for the feet of Raghunatha, and have put a question for the good of the whole world.