In another aeon all the gods were vanquished in their conflict with the demon Jalandhara. Seeing their distress, Shambhu warred against him times without number; but the valiant demon could in no way be slain.

The wife of the demon king was a lady of exceeding virtue. Armed by her strength of character the demon could not be overcome even by Shiva, the slayer of the invincible Tripura.

By a stratagem the Lord broke her marriage vow and thus accomplished the purpose of the gods. When the lady discovered the deception. She cursed him in her wrath.

Hari, the Blessed Lord, sportive and gracious, accepted her curse. It was this Jalandhara who was reborn as Ravana in that aeon. Killing him in battle, Rama conferred on him the supreme state (i.e., granted him final release).

This then was the reason why Rama assumed a human form in one particular birth. Hearken, O Bharadvaja! The story of each incarnation has been sung by poets in many ways.

On one occasion Narada cursed the Lord, and this caused him to become incarnate in one aeon’. Girija was taken aback to hear these words and said, ‘But Narada is a votary of Vishnu and an enlightened sage!

Why did the sage pronounce a curse? What offence had Lakshmi’s lord committed? Tell me the whole story, Purari. It is astonishing that the sage should have fallen a prey to delusion’.