"Thereupon being desirous of achieving victories, Rāvana, the lord of
Rākshasas, proud of his strength, began to journey over the earth in the
company of the heroic Rākshasas. Whoever, amongst the Daityas, Dānavas
and Rākshasis was reported to him as being powerful he used to invite
for battle. O king of earth, having thus traversed the whole world, the
ten-necked demon saw the saint Nārada returning to his own region from
Brahmaloka. Like the second sun he was proceeding through the clouds.
Rāvana, with a delighted heart, neared him and addressed the celestial
saint Nārada with folded palms, saying:—’O thou gifted with six sorts of
wealth, thou hast seen many a time all creations from Brahmā down to an
insect. Do thou tell me, O great one, the inhabitants of which world are
more powerful? I wish to fight with them according to my desire.’
Whereto, thinking for a moment, the celestial saint Nārada replied:—’O
king, there is an insular continent near the milky ocean. All the
inhabitants that live there are gifted with strength—effulgent like the
rays of the moon, huge-bodied, highly powerful and have a voice deep as
the muttering of the clouds. They are all greatly beautiful, patient and
have huge arms. O king of Rākshasas, I have seen in Swetadwipa such
powerful men, as thou dost want to see on this earth.’ Hearing the words
of Nārada, Rāvana said:—’O celestial saint, why are the inhabitants of
Swetadwipa powerful? And how did those high-souled ones come to live
there? O lord, do thou relate to me everything at length. Thou dost
observe the whole universe like a myrobalam in thy palms.’ Hearing the
words of Rāvana, the celestial saint said:—’O lord of Rākshasas, the
inhabitants of Swetadwipa are perpetually devoted unto Nārāyana with
whole-mindedness and earnestly worship Him. They have always their
hearts and minds devoted unto Him and are all high-souled. Having
rendered their lives and souls unto Nārāyana, they have been blessed
with their abode in Swetadwipa. Those, who are slain in the encounter
with his bow bent by Vishnu—the holder of discus and the preserver of
the world, attain to the celestial region. Neither by sacrifice, devout
penance, self-control nor excellent gifts may be obtained the celestial
region full of bliss.’ Hearing the words of Nārada, the Ten necked demon
was worked up with surprise and meditating for some time said ’I shall
enter into conflict with him.’ Thereupon inviting Nārada he proceeded to
Swetadwipa. Thinking for a long time and being curious to witness that
wondrous encounter, Nārada speedily went there. He was ever fond of
sport and warfare. Filling all the quarters with dreadful leonine roars
Rāvana with all the Rākshasas moved towards the Swetadwipa. After Nārada
had reached there, the illustrious Daçānana went to that insular
continent beyond even the reach of the celestials. Being struck by the
radiant heat of that insular continent, the Puspaka car, of the mighty
Rāvana, could not stand there like clouds scattered by the wind. Having
arrived at that dreadful insular continent the councillors of the lord
of Rākshasas, fearfully said to Rāvana. ’O lord, we are all stupified
and beside ourselves with fear. We cannot anyhow stand here; how shall
we fight?’ Saying this the Rākshasas fled away into all directions. And
Daçānana too sent away his golden car Pushpaka with them. Having thus
sent away his chariot and assuming a dreadful figure he alone entered
Swetadwipa. At the time of his entering he was seen by the females
there. One of them holding him by the hand and smiling said ’Why hast
thou come hither? Who art thou? Who is thy father? and what for hast
thou come here? Do thou definitely say.’ Hearing those words, O king,
Rāvana, in anger said:—’I am the son of the ascetic Visrava, I am Rāvana
by name; I have come hither being desirous of fighting; but I do not
behold anyone here.’ The vicious-souled Rāvana having said this all the
young damsels laughed gently. But one of them, being enraged, took up
Rāvana, like a child, as if in sport and hurled him amongst her
companions. And addressing another she said:—’Behold, I have caught this
black Rāvana, having twenty arms and ten faces, like a small insect.’
Thereupon Rāvana, being worn out with hurling, passed from one one hand
to another. Being thus hurled the learned and powerful Rāvana, in anger,
severely bit the palms of that fair one. Being overwhelmed with pain
that damsel let him off. Thereupon, another, taking that Rākshasa-chief,
rose up in the welkin. Rāvana, again waxing wroth tore her with his
nails. And being left off by that damsel, the terrified night-ranger
fell down into the waters of the deep. The females, inhabiting that
insular continent again and again in this wise hurled Rāvana. Beholding
him thus distressed the highly effulgent Nārada danced in joy and
surprise. O thou having long arms, being apprised of this, the
vicious-souled Rāvana stole away Sitā with a view to meet death at thy
hands. Thou art Nārāyana, holding discus, conch and club; thou hast in
thy hands the bow, a lotus, thunder-bolt and other weapons; thou art
worshipped of all deities; thou art graced with the mystic mark
Sribatsa, adored by all celestials, hast a lotus navel, art a great
ascetic, and Hrishikesha declaring fearlessness unto all devotees. Thou
hast assumed a human form to bring about the destruction of Rāvana. Dost
thou not recognise thyself as Nārāyana? O great one, do not forget
thyself; do thou recollect thy real self. The Patriarch Brahmā said that
thou art subtler than the subtle. Thou art the the three qualities, the
three Vedas and the regions—that of the celestials, of the mortals and
the region under the earth. Thy work is manifest in time, past, present
and future; thou art the observer of three Vedas and the destroyer of
the enemies of the celestials. With thy three steps, thou didst, in the
days of yore, traverse the three worlds. Thou wert born of Aditi, as the
youngest brother of Indra for binding Bali. Thou art the eternal Vishnu.
To extend thy favours unto humanity thou hast been born as man. O
foremost of the celestials, the work of the deities hath been
accomplished. The vicious Rāvana, with his sons and relatives, hath been
slain. The Rishis, having piety for their wealth and all the deities
have been pleased. O foremost of gods—all this hath been brought about
by thy favours; and the whole universe hath been pacified. Sitā is the
very personation of Lakshmi, sprung from earth. It is for thee that she
hath been born in the race of Janaka. Bringing her into Lankā Rāvana
protected her with care like his mother. Rāma, I have thus related to
thee the entire story. Hearing this from the Rishi Sanatkumar, the
long-lived Nārada described this unto me. Daçānana, to a letter I
followed the instructions of Sanatkumar. Who ever listens to this story
at the time of Sraddha, the rice, offered by him, becoming
inexhaustible, reaches his manes." Hearing this celestial theme, the
lotus-eyed Rāma along with his brothers was greatly surprised. And
having their eyes expanded with delight the monkeys, with Sugriva, the
Rākshasas with Bibhishana, the kings with their councillors, and all
other assembled pious Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras,
delightedly espied Rāma. Thereupon the highly effulgent Agastya said to
Rāma:—"O Rāma, we have all seen thee and been honoured; now we shall
depart." Saying this, they, being honored, repaired to their respective
habitations. The sun set, Rāma, the foremost of men, gave farewell to
monkeys and their king and duly went through the Sandhya rite. Gradually
night set in and he entered the inner appartment.