“Ponder in your mind, my beloved lord, and abandon perversity; your conflict with the Lord of the Raghus is quite out of place. Ýr¶ RŒma’s younger brother (Lakƒma˜a) had traced a thin line; * that too you could not cross. Such is your valour! My beloved, chasing the gold deer, Lakƒma˜a traced with an end of his bow a line round, Her cottage at PaÛcava¢¶ with a curse that any demon whatsoever who dared to cross the line would be instantly reduced to ashes. Availing himself of the opportunity RŒva˜a made his appearance there in the guise of a mendicant and begged alms 844 * ÝR” RMACARITAMNASA* do you expect to conquer Him in battle, whose messenger performed such feats? Leaping across the ocean in mere sport, that lion among monkeys fearlessly entered your La˘kŒ, killed your guards and laid waste your garden. Nay, he killed Prince Akƒa under your very nose, and, setting fire to the whole capital, reduced it to ashes. Where did your pride of power remain lurking at that time? Indulge no more in idle boasts, my spouse, and lay my words a little to heart. Do not imagine that the Lord of the Raghus is a mere earthly king, my husband; but know him to be the Ruler of the animate and inanimate creation, unequalled in strength. The might of His arrows is known to MŒr¶ca; but you did not heed his words, taking him to be a mean fellow. In Janaka’s court were assembled numberless kings; you too were present there with your incomparable and enormous strength. There Ýr¶ RŒma broke Ýiva’s bow and won the hand of Janaka’s Daughter; why did you not conquer Him in battle then? The son of Indra (the lord of celestials) tasted of His strength when He caught hold of him and spared his life after destroying one of his eyes. You also witnessed ݵurpa˜akhŒ’s condition, yet you did not feel much abashed in your heart.” (1—7)