Outrageous was the pride of the king of Lanka, who had overthrown gods and Gandharvas and relentlessly pursued sages and adepts, men, birds and serpents.

That implacable, wicked sinner, ever bent on injuring others, has now reaped the fruit of his misdeeds. Listen now, O gracious Lord of the large lotus eyes, who has compassion on the lowly!

Inordinate was my pride and I accounted no one equal to me; but at the sight of your lotus feet, fled is my pride that caused me so much misery.

Some there are who mediate on the attributeless Brahma (the Absolute), whom the Vedas hymn as unmanifest, but may delight is in your embodied, personal form, the form of Rama, the king of Kosala.

Together with Janaki and your younger brother Lakshmana, pray abide in my heart; and, recognizing me as your own servant, O Lakshmi’s lord, bless me with devotion!

Grant me devotion to your feet, O lakshmi’s lord, dispeller of your suppliants’ fear and bestower of peace on them! I worship you, O Rama, abode of bliss, prince of the house of Raghu, beauteous as a myriad Loves! Delight of the hosts of heaven and destroyer of the pairs of opposites, incarnate as a man of incomparable might, object of the adoration of Brahma, Shiva and all the gods, you I adore, O Rama the tender, the benign!

Now cast your gracious look on me, O merciful Lord, and command me what to do! On hearing Indra’s loving plea, Rama, the protector of the poor, replied: