Devotee: Why was, why was Lord Rāma letting Rāvaṇa live in Laṅkā?
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Devotee: Why was He permitting him to live there? He was irreligious. He did not trust in God. Why was Lord Rāma letting him...?
Prabhupāda: No, no. He was killed therefore. He was not allowed to live there. Therefore Rāmacandra went there to kill him. "You rascal. You must be killed." Why do you say that he was allowed?
Devotee: Well...
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Devotee: For some time, for some time.
Prabhupāda: For sometimes every thief flourishes. That is another thing. But he must be punished.
Devotee: Hmm. He was punished.
Prabhupāda: You can cheat for some time everyone, but you cannot be allowed to cheat everyone for all the time. That is not possible. (break) ...law. Therefore Lord Rāmacandra could create millions of Sītā. So the purpose was to kill this atheist. Therefore, it was... (end)