20. The lotus-eyed Ráma is the eldest of these without whom the three others can hardly bear to live.
21. This Ráma is going to be conveyed by thee against the Rákshasas; but when I am deprived of that son, know me certainly for dead.
22. Of my four sons he is the one in whom rests my greatest love. Therefore do not take away Ráma—my eldest and most virtuous son from me.
23. If thy intention Oh sage, is to destroy the force of night wanderers, take me there accompanied by the four kinds (elephants, horse, chariots and foot soldiers) of mine army.
24. Describe to me clearly what these Rákshasas are, how strong they are, whose sons they be and what their size and figure.
25. Tell me the way in which the Rákshasas are to be destroyed by Ráma or my boys or by myself, when they are known to be treacherous in warfare.
26. Tell me all these, Oh great sage! that I can calculate the possibility of our making a stand against the fiercely disposed Rákshasas in the open field, when they are certainly so very powerful.
27. The Rákshasa named Rávana is heard as being very powerful, he is brother of Kubera himself, and is the son of the sage Visravas.
28. If it is he, the evil minded Rávana, that stands in the way of thy rites, we are unable to contend with that pest.
29. Power and prosperity in all their flourish come within the reach of the living at times, but they disappear at others.