“He has appeared before my very eyes, whose praises the Vedas ever sing only in negative terms and whom sages are scarcely able to perceive in their meditation even after they have controlled their breath and mind and freed their senses from passion. Knowing me to be a victim of excessive pride the Lord said to me, ‘ Preserve your life!’ But who would be such a fool as to insist on cutting down a celestial tree and using it as a fence to protect an acacia tree? Now, my lord, look upon me with compassion and grant me the boon that I ask; in whatever species of life it may be my fate to be born, I may continue to love Ýr¶ RŒma’s (Your) feet. This son of mine, A˘gada by name, is my equal in training and strength. O Bestower of Blessedness; therefore, accept him, my master; and holding him by the arm, O Lord of gods and men, treat him as Your servant.” (1-2) It is mentioned in the scriptures that Lord Ýiva personally whispers the name ‘RŒma’ into the right ear of every creature dying at KŒÜ¶ and redeems its soul. 724 * ÝR” RMACARITAMNASA*