The highly effulgent and illustrious Agastya, sprung from a vessel,
again addressed the humble Rāma as the great Patriarch sprung from lotus
spoke unto the Great Deity, he said to Rāma, having truth for his
prowess:—"Do thou hear." Saying this, the highly effulgent Agastya began
to narrate the last portion of the story. The high-minded saint, with a
delighted heart, described unto Rāma all he had heard and narrated. "O
high-minded Rāma, having long arms, it is for this reason that the
vicious-souled Rāvana stole away Janaki, the daughter of king Janaka. O
thou having long arms! O thou of many glories! O thou invincible! Nārada
recounted this story unto me on the summit of the mountain-chief Meru. O
Rāghava, the highly effulgent one narrated unto me the last portion of
this story in the presence of the celestials, Gandharvas, Siddhas,
ascetics and other great men. O lord of kings, O conferrer of honors, do
thou listen to that story which removeth monstrous iniquity. Hearing
this, O thou having long arms, the Rishis, and the celestials with
delighted hearts, said to the ascetic Nārada He who shall reverentially
listen to this story every day, shall be blessed with sons and grandsons
and be honored in the region of the celestials."