‘Protect me, O Lord of the house of Raghu, equipped with your glorious bow and shining arrows in your hands. O furious wind to scatter the murky clouds of ignorance, O fire to consume the thickets of doubt, delight of the gods,

both with and without attributes, fair shrine of all perfections, sun to disperse the darkness of delusion by the might of your brilliant rays, lion to kill the elephants of lust and wrath and pride, pray take up your abode for ever in the grove of your servant’s soul!

Severe frost to blast the lotus bed of sensual desires, gracious and transcending thought, Mount Mandara to churn up the ocean of birth and death, pray deliver me from that which I most dread and transport me across the stormy ocean of mundane existence.

O Rama, dark-hued and lotus-eyed, friend of the humble, reliever of the sorrows of the suppliant, do you, O king, with Janaki and your brother, take up your abode ever in my heart! You gladden the sages and adorn the round globe, O lord of Tulasidasa, destroyer of dread!

When, my lord, your coronation takes place in the city of Ayodhya, I shall come to witness your gracious sport, O ocean of mercy!’

When Shiva had made his humble petition and gone away, Vibhishana approached the Lord. Bowing his head before his feet, he submitted in pleasing tones: ‘Hear my prayer, O Lord, the wielder of the Sharanga bow!

You, Lord, have slain Ravana with all his kindred and army and spread your unsullied renown throughout the three spheres. On me, who is so wretched and sinful, without either sense or breeding, you have in every way shed your favours.