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## The Twelfth Canto
**277**
The messenger, knowing all things, said, "O mistress, I will fulfill your desire in an instant," and departed from the house. [112]
She, veiled in a fine garment like a rain-cloud, flew through the sky and reached the abode of the lord of the Rakshasas in a moment. [113]
She entered the inner apartments and informed the doorkeeper. Having made her way in, she sat down with humility on the seat given by Ravana. [114]
Then she spoke, "O god, the entire world is filled with your faultless qualities. It is fitting that a man like you should be the cause of such an effect." [115]
"Because your generous wealth satisfies the supplicants on earth, I know that you are devoted to the welfare of all." [116]
"I know that you, who have assumed this form, will not violate my request. Indeed, the wealth of people like you is the cause of **paropkar** (benevolence)." [117]
"O lord, for a moment, dismiss all your retinue and, with your attention focused, grant me your favor." [118]
When all the retinue had been dismissed and there was complete solitude, the messenger, who knew all things, told Ravana the whole story of the past. [119]
Then, hearing the messenger's words, Ravana covered his ears with both hands. He shook his head for a long time and contracted his eyes. [120]
Ravana, who was devoted to good conduct, became troubled for a moment by the thought of the desire of the woman. [121]
He smiled and said, "O lady, how could such a thing, which brings about the union of sin, come to your mind?" [122]
"You have spoken this, abandoning pride. I am extremely poor in fulfilling such a request. What can I do?" [123]
"Whether she is a widow, or accompanied by her husband, or a respectable woman, or even a courtesan endowed with beauty, one should strive to avoid all women." [124]
"This act is contrary both in this world and in the next. What kind of man is he who is corrupted by both worlds?" [125]
The friend, who had become eager, quickly caught her head in the middle. [111]
**Notes:**
1. **Paropkar** is a Jain term meaning "benevolence" or "doing good to others."
2. **Paramanayant** is a Sanskrit word meaning "contracting" or "shrinking."
3. **Kulabalika** is a Sanskrit word meaning "a respectable woman" or "a woman of good family."