Hearing the words of the ministers, Rāma said: "Hear what is mentioned in the Purānas. Formerly the Sun, the Moon, the welkin with the stars, the earth with the mountains and forests—the three worlds, the mobile and the immobile, were under water. At that time only Nārāyaṇa existed as the second Sumeru. In Nārāyaṇa's belly was stationed the earth with Lakşmi. Having destroyed the creation and entered water, the highly effulgent Vişnu, identical with the souls of creatures, lay asleep there for many long years. Beholding Vişņu asleep after the destruction of the universe and knowing Vişņu of obstructed breath, the great ascetic Brahmā entered his abdomen. Thereupon, when a golden lotus sprang from Vişnu's navel. That great lord, ascetic Brahmā, originated therefrom and was engaged in austere penances for the purpose of creating earth, air, mountains, trees, men, reptiles and all animals born from womb or egg. At that time from the ears of Nārāyaṇa originated two valiant and dreadful demons under the name of Madhu and Kaitabha. Beholding the Patriarch, there they were greatly enraged and pursued him. Thereat the self-born cried aloud hideously. Awakened by that sound Nārāyaņa engaged in fighting with Madhu and Kaitabha, and slew them with his discus. And with their gore the whole earth was delighted. Thereupon, purifying the earth again, Hari, preserver of the world, covered it with trees. And various drugs were also created. And the earth was called Medini because it was filled with Medas, marrow of Madhu and Kaitabha. It is for this that I hold, O ministers, that this house not belong to the vulture, but to the owl. Therefore, this vicious vulture should be punished for this wicked, vicious-minded one, robbing another's nest, is oppressing him.” years.'
सचिवानां वचः श्रुत्वा रामो वचनमब्रवीत्। श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि पुराणे यदुदाहृतम्॥ द्यौः सचन्द्रार्कनक्षत्रा सपर्वतमहावना। सलिलार्णवसंपूर्णं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्॥ एक एव तदा ह्यासीद्युक्तो मेरुरिवापरः। पुरा भूः सह लक्ष्या च विष्णोर्जठरमाविशत्॥ तां निगृह्य महातेजाः प्रविश्य सलिलार्णवम्। सुष्वाप देवो भूतात्मा बहून्वर्षगणानपि॥ विष्णोसुप्ते नदा ब्रह्मा विवेश जठरं ततः। रुद्धस्रोतं तु तं ज्ञात्वा महायोगी समाविशत्॥ नाभ्यां विष्णोः समुत्पन्ने पद्मे हेमविभूषिते। स तु निर्गम्य वै ब्रह्मा योगी भूत्वा महाप्रभुः॥ सिसृक्षुः पृथिवीं वायु पर्वतान्समहीरुहान्। तदन्तरे प्रजाः शर्वाः समनुष्यसरीस्पाः॥ सयुजाण्डजाः शर्वाः स ससर्ज महातपाः। तत्र श्रोत्रमलोत्पन्न: कैटभो मधुना सह॥ दानवौ तौ महावीर्यो घोररूपौ दुरासदौ। दृष्ट्वा प्रजापतिं तत्र क्रोधाविष्टौ बभूवतुः॥ वेगेन महता तत्र स्वयंभुवमधावताम्। दृष्ट्वा स्वयंभुवा मुक्तो रावो वै विकृतस्तदा॥ तेन शब्देन संप्राप्तौ दानवौ हरिणा सह। अथ चक्रप्रहारेण सूदितौ मधुकैटभौ॥ मेदसा प्लाविता सर्वा पृथिवी च समन्ततः। भूयो विशोधिता तेन हरिणा लोकधारिणा॥ शुद्धां वै मेदिनी तां तु वृक्षः सर्वामपूरयत्। ओषध्यः सर्वसस्यानि निष्पद्यन्त पृथग्विधाः॥ मेदोगन्धा तु धरणी मेदिनीत्यभिसंज्ञिता। तस्मान गृध्रस्य गृहमूलूकस्येति मे मतिः॥ तस्माद् गृध्रस्तु दण्ड्यो वै पापो हर्ता परालयम्। पीडां करोति पापात्मा दुर्विनीतो महानयम्॥