In the midst of a tense encounter, the great rakshasi stood before the two men, her anger blazing. One of them, wise and composed, addressed her: “O great rakshasi, is this anger of yours merely laughter? Women are often light-hearted, or, in their lightness, excessively agitated. Abandon your anger; such agitation does not suit you. The wise act in this world solely to accomplish their purpose.” He continued, his voice unwavering, “Thousands like you, O powerless one, are as insignificant to us as flies. Our strong tendencies sweep them away like grass and leaves. Casting off the fever of anger with a calm mind and practical reasoning, the wise accomplish their aim. Let your task be accomplished by your own action, O Mathava; for under the rule of great destiny, when is there room for confusion?” He invited her, “Speak what you desire; what do you seek, O petitioner? Even in dreams, we never pursue what is unattainable.” Hearing these words, the demoness paused and reflected, thinking, “Ah! Truly, how pure is the conduct and character of these lion-like men. I do not consider these two to be ordinary; their presence is truly remarkable. Their words, voices, and glances alone reveal their inner resolve. Through the gateways of words, speech, and glances, the intentions of the wise merge together, just as rivers unite through their channels.” She realized, “By these two, my own disposition has been discerned; and by me, theirs. These two are not to be destroyed by me, nor am I by them, for we are all inherently indestructible. I think these two possess self-knowledge; without self-knowledge, there is no true understanding. When the sense of existence and non-existence is cleansed, fear of death ceases.” Determined, she thought, “Therefore, I shall ask these two about a certain doubt that has arisen. Those who, having attained the opportunity, do not inquire about anything are the lowest of men.” With this resolve, she restrained her untimely, cloud-like laughter and prepared to speak at the right moment. She addressed them, “Who are you two, O sinless and heroic men? Please tell me. For, upon seeing those with pure hearts, friendship arises at once.” The men replied, “This king is the ruler of the Kiratas, and I have attained the position of his minister; we are engaged in night patrols to restrain people like you. The king’s duty, day and night, is to subdue wicked beings; but those who abandon their own duty become fuel for the fire of destruction.” They continued, “You are a misguided minister to the king, and because of your poor counsel, this Arada has come. A good minister belongs to a virtuous king, and a king becomes noble through wise ministers. At first, the king should be guided with discernment by a wise minister; through this, he attains nobility—just as is the king, so are his subjects. The highest knowledge of the Self is the collection of all virtues; likewise, a king should be a true king, and a minister should be one who knows counsel. Authority and impartial vision arise from royal wisdom; whoever does not know this is neither a minister nor a ruler.” They concluded, “If you both possess that knowledge, you are virtuous and will attain the highest good; otherwise, you bring harm, and I do not accept you as belonging to my nature. By a single means, you two boys will cross over from my side, if you thoughtfully examine the essence of my cage of questions.” The rakshasi responded, “O king, tell me your questions; I am eager to fulfill your wishes. Who in this world, having accepted a request, does not grant it, unless hindered by some fault that brings decline?” Having spoken thus, the demoness began to ask her questions. When the king said, “Speak,” she began, and Raghava was asked to listen to her inquiries. She asked, “In the one, in the countless, in the minute, as in the ocean—within, countless universes dissolve like bubbles. What is space, what is non-space, what is nothing, and what is something? Who am I, truly fulfilled, and who are you, and who am I that stands here?” She continued, “Who moves yet does not move, who stands yet remains standing? Who is conscious yet like a stone, and who creates wonders in the sky? Who is fire that does not abandon its fiery nature, and who is fire that does not burn? From the non-fire, how does fire arise, O king, continually?” Her questions deepened, “Who is the imperishable illuminator, even without moon, sun, fire, or stars? And from what, though not perceived by the eyes, does light manifest? For creepers, bushes, sprouts, and those born blind, and likewise for others without eyes, what is the highest source of light?” She pressed further, “Who is the origin of space and other elements, who gives them their nature? Who is the treasure chest of the world’s jewels, and in whose treasury is the world a gem? What is the atom that is darkness and light, that both exists and does not exist? What is the atom that is distant yet not distant, and that itself is a great mountain?” Her inquiries grew more subtle, “What is a moment that is an age, and what is an age that is a moment? What is apparent yet unreal, and what is conscious yet unconscious? What is both airless and air, what is sound and soundlessness? What is everything and nothing, who am I and who am I not, and what can that be?” She pondered, “What is gained through hundreds of efforts and many lifetimes, yet when attained is nothing, and yet everything is attainable? By whom is one’s own self taken away, even while living in one’s own nature? By what atom is the Meru mountain, the three worlds, and a blade of grass contained within?” She continued, “By what atom is a hundred-yojana expanse filled? What atom alone becomes a world, yet not even in a hundred yojanas? By what mere act of seeing is the world-play enacted? Within which atom are the pots that hold the families of mountains?” She asked, “What is the atom that does not abandon its minuteness, yet appears in the massive form of Meru? What is the atom that is the hundredth part of a hair’s tip, and what is the towering mountain? What is the atom that is the light revealing both brightness and darkness? Within which atom do all experiences, minute as they are, reside?” With these profound questions, the rakshasi sought to unravel the mysteries of existence, the nature of reality, and the essence of self, awaiting the wise response from the heroic men before her.