"Asvatara is the name of a chief of the Nagas or serpents which
inhabit the regions under the earth; it is also the name of a
Gandharva. Asvatari ought to be the wife of one of the two, but I am
not sure that this conjecture is right. The commentator does not say
who this Asvatari is, or what tradition or myth is alluded to.
Vimalabodha reads Asvatari in the nominative case, and explains,
Asvatari is the sun, and as the sun with his rays brings back the
moon which has been sunk in the ocean and the infernal regions, so
will I bring back Sita." GORRESIO.

596 That is, "Consider what answer you can give to your accusers when
they charge you with injustice in killing me."

597 Manu, Book VIII. 318. "But men who have committed offences and have
received from kings the punishment due to them, go pure to heaven
and become as clear as those who have done well."

598 Mandhata was one of the earlier descendants of Ikshvaku. His name is
mentioned in Rama's genealogy, p. 81.

599 I cannot understand how Valmiki could put such an excuse as this
into Rama's mouth. Rama with all solemn ceremony, has made a league
of alliance with Bali's younger brother whom he regards as a dear
friend and almost as an equal, and now he winds up his reasons for
killing Bali by coolly saying: "Besides you are only a monkey, you
know, after all, and as such I have every right to kill you how,
when, and where I like."

600 A name of Garuda the king of birds, the great enemy of the Serpents.

601 Sugriva's wife.

602 "Our deeds still follow with us from afar. And what we have been
makes us what we are."

603 Sugriva and Angad.

604 Angad himself, being too young to govern, would be Yuvaraja or
heir-apparent.

605 Sushena was the son of Varuna the God of the sea.

606 A demon with the tail of a dragon, that causes eclipses by
endeavouring to swallow the sun and moon.

607 The Lord of Stars is the Moon.

608 Or the passage may be interpreted: "Be neither too obsequious or
affectionate, nor wanting in due respect or love."

609 Sacrifices and all religious rites begin and end with ablution, and
the wife of the officiating Brahman takes an important part in the
performance of the holy ceremonies.

610 Visvarupa, a son of Twashtri or Visvakarma the heavenly architect,