The gracious sage also taught me how to meditate on Rama as a child. The beauty and blissfulness of this mode of contemplation pleased me well – but I have told you all about it before.

The sage kept me in his hermitage for some little time, and then recited the Holy Lake of Rama’s Acts. Having reverently repeated to me the narrative, the sage then addressed me in these gracious words;

“I discovered this secret and delectable Lake of Rama’s Acts, my son, by Shiva’s favour, and I have recited it all to you because I know you to be one of Rama’s most peculiar votaries.

But never, my son, repeat it in the presence of those whose hearts are void of devotion to Rama.” The sage admonished me in various ways and I devoutly bowed my head before his feet.

The great sage touched my head with his lotus hands and rejoiced to give me his blessing. “Henceforth by my grace,” he said, “devotion to Rama shall ever abide in your heart and know no interruption!

You shall ever be a favourite with Rama and a storehouse of all blessed virtues, free from pride, changing your form at will and choosing your own time to die; a repository of wisdom and dispassion;

And in whatever hermitage you hereafter abide with your thought fixed on the Blessed Lord, there ignorance will have no access for a distance of three leagues around.