from time eternal (till now) —

before the time of (ḥim) creating, —

 previously —

when he incarnated as ṣrī rāma —

once upon a time —

once upon a time (when he incarnated as ṣrī krishṇa) —

 previously —

in previous times —

in earlier time (during krishṇāvathāram) —

during an earlier time —