Descended from thine own dear son.[971]

Still thou, O Lord, thy word must keep,

He may not die, but let him sleep.

Yet fix a time for him to break

The chains of slumber and awake.”

He ceased: and Brahmá made reply;

“Six months in slumber shall he lie

And then arising for a day

Shall cast the numbing bonds away.”

Now Rávaṇ in his doubt and dread