Nārada, the revered sage, addressed the lord of the Rākṣasas, Rāvaṇa, son of Viśravas, with gentle words: “O noble one, remain here. I am pleased by your illustrious lineage and your mighty deeds. Your battles with Viṣṇu, your defeat of the Daityas, your harassment of Gandharvas and serpents, and your many contests have greatly satisfied me.” He continued, “Now, I will tell you something important, if you are willing to listen. After hearing my words, you must act accordingly, O best of the Rākṣasas. So, my son, focus your mind and listen as I speak. Can this one truly be slain by you, when he is protected by the gods? Indeed, the world is as good as destroyed when it has fallen under the sway of death.” Nārada explained, “You have the power to trouble the world, for you are invulnerable to gods, asuras, daityas, yakṣas, gandharvas, and rākṣasas—but not to humans. Who would wish to destroy such a world, always deluded about the highest good, surrounded by great misfortunes, and afflicted by countless diseases and old age? In this human world, beset everywhere by suffering, who, being wise, would seek conflict?” He urged, “Do not destroy this world, which is already wasting away—struck by fate, afflicted by hunger, thirst, old age, and confusion from grief and sorrow. Behold, O mighty-armed lord of Rākṣasas, this human race is deluded and bewildering in its ways, its course unknown. Sometimes, some people delight in music and dance, while others, distressed, weep with tears streaming from their eyes. This race, enchanted by love for mother, father, children, wife, relatives, and pleasures of the mind, is ruined and does not even perceive its own suffering.” Nārada concluded, “Enough of tormenting this world, which is already overcome by delusion. O gentle one, the mortal world is already conquered by you, without doubt. All must inevitably go to the abode of Yama; therefore, O Paulastya, subdue Yama, O conqueror of enemy cities. When Yama is conquered, all is conquered, without doubt.” Hearing these words, the lord of Lanka, Rāvaṇa, his form blazing with his own splendor, smiled, saluted Nārada, and replied, “O great sage, lover of battle and the pleasures of gods and gandharvas, I am now resolved to go to the netherworld for the sake of victory. Once I have conquered the three worlds and brought the nāgas and gods under my control, I will churn the ocean for the sake of nectar.” Nārada then asked the ten-headed one, “By what path do you now proceed? The path to the city of the lord of the dead is very difficult, O subduer of enemies, and hard to overcome.” Rāvaṇa, releasing a smile like an autumn cloud, replied, “It is done. Therefore, O brāhman, I am now intent on slaying Vaivasvata. I go southward, where the king, son of the sun, resides. In anger and eager for battle, I have vowed to subdue the four guardians of the world. Thus, I set out for the city of the lord of the dead, to subject the inflictor of suffering on living beings to death.” Having spoken thus, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa bowed to the sage and departed toward the southern quarter, taking his counselors with him. Nārada, endowed with great brilliance, sat for a moment absorbed in meditation, the foremost of Brahmins, like a smokeless fire. He reflected, “He by whom the three worlds, along with Indra and all beings, are tormented—when his lifespan is spent, how will he be conquered by righteousness and time? He who is witness to his own gifts, like a second fire, and by whose command the worlds are subdued—how will that great soul be overcome? He before whom the three worlds always flee in fear—how will that king of Rākṣasas go forth on his own? He who is both creator and sustainer, of good deeds and evil as well, by whom the three worlds have been conquered—how will he be defeated? Yet, after making some other arrangement, he will bring about this outcome. Filled with curiosity, I will go to the abode of Yama. I will myself witness the encounter between Yama and the Rākṣasa.” Thus reflecting, the foremost of Brahmins swiftly went to the abode of Yama, to recount all that had transpired. There he saw Yama, the god, attended by Agni, administering the destinies of beings according to their deeds. Seeing the great sage Nārada arrive, Yama received him with due honor and spoke to him kindly, “Is all well, O divine sage? Is righteousness not declining? For what purpose have you come, you who are honored by gods and Gandharvas?” The venerable Nārada replied, “Listen, I will tell you; let the proper measures be taken. This ten-headed night-wanderer, O king of ancestors, is coming with his might to bring you under his control, though you are very difficult to conquer. For this reason, O lord, I have come quickly. What will happen today to your rod of punishment?” Even as they spoke, they saw a radiant aerial chariot approaching, shining like the sun, difficult to look upon—Rāvaṇa’s Puṣpaka chariot. With its brilliance, the mighty one darkened the whole region as he drew near. There, the mighty-armed ten-headed Rāvaṇa saw beings enjoying the results of good deeds, and also those suffering the fruits of evil deeds.