73. But in order to secure the future welfare of men, he will encourage the practice both of spiritual devotion and ritual acts, according to the instruction of those best acquainted with those subjects.
74. He will liberally bestow his liberation to every living being of every kind. These and many others are the duties of Ráma to this world and to myself also. (Viswámitra means a friend to the world, and the good services of Ráma done to it were reckoned by the sage as done to the sage himself).
75. Such are the acts that are to be performed by Ráma, wherefore he is to be thanked by every one here for all his conquests which no one else can make. So fare you well.
76. Válmíki resumed:—After these words of the sage, were listened to by the princes in the court and by the assembled siddhas and great yogis as Vasishtha and others; they thanked the hero, and remained to think of his lotus-like feet with respect and esteem.
77. But the sages Vasishtha and others, were not to be satisfied until they could hear further about the lord of Sitá; whose virtues they all eagerly expected to hear those fully and recite in their carols.
78. Vasishtha then said to Viswámitra:—Tell me sir, who was this lotus-eyed Ráma in his past life, whether he had been a god or sage or an ordinary man.
79. Viswámitra replied:—Believe what I say, that this Ráma is that primary Male, who had churned the sea for the good of the world, and is known only by the deepest learning of the vedas.
80. He is full of spiritual joy, meek and gentle, and has the mark of the auspicious calf (lamb) upon his person; he is bountiful to all living beings, and is soon appeased by all (that rely in him).
81. He destroys every one in his rage, and abandons all the frail trifles of this world; he is the first male and creator of all, and is the supporter and nourisher and kind friend of all.