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32
Padmapurana
He who pacifies the world with his peaceful body, the Lord of the ascetics, Gautama, resides there. ||13||
He descended from afar, and walked on foot. His eyes were filled with joy, and he was humble in his gait. ||14||
Then, bowing to him with folded hands, the Tri-patya (three-fold) one, was given a seat on the earth by the Lord of the Ganadharas. ||15||
Then, the king, with the earth made white by the brilliance of his teeth, asked this question, first inquiring about his well-being. ||16||
"O Bhagavan, I wish to hear the true story of Padma. For, the fame of this has been generated by those who follow evil ways. ||17||
"For, was the Lord of Lanka, Ravana, a Rakshasa, or a human being? How was he, a creature of the lower realms, defeated by the small monkeys? ||18||
"How could he, with his extremely foul-smelling human body, eat human flesh? How was Vali, by deceit, killed by Ramadeva? ||19||
"And, going to the abode of the gods, and destroying their excellent grove, how was Indra, the king of the gods, brought to Ravana's prison? ||20||
"And, how could his younger brother, Kumbhakarna, who was skilled in all the scriptures, and had a disease-free body, sleep for six months? ||21||
"And, how was the bridge, which was so high that it was difficult even for the gods to cross, built by the monkeys, with such heavy mountains? ||22||
"O Bhagavan, be pleased to tell me all this. By rescuing many beings from the mire of doubt, you will be doing a great service. ||23||
Thus addressed, Ganesha, with his rays of teachings emanating, as if washing away the dirt of the world with flowers, ||24||
dancing the peacocks in the midst of the groves of creepers, with a deep, joyful roar, spoke these words. ||25||
"Hear, O Ayushman, O King, beloved of the gods, with care. My words are taught by the Jina, and are dedicated to revealing the true nature of things. ||26||
"Ravana was not a Rakshasa, nor was he a man-eater. All that they say is false, for they are the speakers of falsehood. ||27||