Clasping the lotus feet of her lord again and again, and folding her lotus-like hands, Parvati spoke sweet words steeped in the nectar of love:

‘Having listened to your speech, which was like the moon’s refreshing rays, I find that the burning autumn heat of my delusion has faded away. You have resolved all my doubt, O gracious Lord, and now the reality of Rama has been revealed to me.

By your grace, my lord, my gloom has been lifted and I feel happy now by the favour of my lord’s feet. Now, regarding me as your servant, even though I am a woman, ignorant and stupid by nature,

-answer the question I first put, if you are pleased with me, my lord, Rama, I now understand, is no other than the indestructible Brahma (God), who is pure Consciousness itself and who though bereft of all, yet abides in the city of the hearts of all.

Why did he take human form? Explain it to me, O Shiva! Hearing Parvati’s most humble prayer and seeing her pure love for Rama’s story.

Kamadeva’s enemy, the all-merciful and all-wise Shiva, was glad at heart and, extolling Uma in so many ways, the Lord of grace said again:

‘Listen, O Bhavani, to the blessed story of the holy Ramacharitamanasa, which was narrated at length by the sage Bhushundi and heard by Garuda, the king of birds.