55. Upon hearing these sweet words (of the king), which were pleasing to the ears, and delivered with a humility worthy of one knowing himself, the far famed and meritorious chief of the sages felt highly gratified in himself. CHAPTER VII. VISWÁMITRA’S REQUEST FOR RÁMA. After the illustrious Viswámitra had heard the aforesaid unusually lengthy speech of the lion among kings, his hairs stood erect with joy, and he said (in reply). 2. This speech is worthy of thee, O best of kings on earth, and one descended from a royal race, and guided by the sage Vasishtha himself. 3. Consider well O king about the performance of the act which I have in mind, and support (the cause of) virtue. 4. I am employed, O chief of men, in religious acts for attainment of my consummation, whereto the horrible Rákshasas have become my great obstructions. 5. Whenever I betake myself to offer sacrifices (to the gods) at any place, instantly do these nocturnal demons appear to destroy my sacrificial rites. 6. The chiefs of the Rákshasas fling heaps of flesh and blood on the sacrificial ground (before me), on very many occasions that I commence my ceremonies. 7. Being thus obstructed in my sacrificial duties, I now come to thee from that spot and with a broken spirit, after having laboured in vain (for completion of the rites). 8. I have no mind O king, to give vent to my anger by imprecations, which have no room in my conduct (of religious life). 9. Such being the sacrificial law, I expect to gain its great object in peace by thy favor. 10. Being thus oppressed I have recourse to thy protection, and thou shouldst protect me (from wrongs); otherwise it is an insult to solicitors to be put to disappointment by the best of men (as thyself). 11. Thou hast a son, the beauteous Ráma, powerful as the fierce tiger, and strong as the great Indra himself. He it is who is able to destroy the Rákshasas. 12. Now mayst thou deliver to me that Ráma thy eldest son, having his youthful locks of hair like the sable plumage of a crow, but possessing the true valour of a hero. 13. Protected under my sacred authority, he will be able by his personal prowess, to sever the heads of the malicious Rákshasas. 14. I will do him an infinity of good services, whereby he will in the end become adored by the inhabitants of the three worlds. 15. The night-wandering Rákshasas cannot abide in the field before Ráma, but must fly like stags in the wilderness before the furious lion. 16. No other man than Ráma can make bold to fight with the Rákshasas; as no animal other than the furious lion can stand to fight with the wild elephants. 17. Elated with their strength these vicious beings have become (as deadly) as poisoned shafts in fighting, and being delegates of Khara and Dushana, they are as furious as death itself.