At the command of Rāma, the wise Angada journeyed to the court of Rāvaṇa. Standing before the mighty king, Angada delivered Rāma’s message with unwavering resolve: “Return Janaki at once to Raghava, or prepare to meet your death.” Rāvaṇa, fierce and ever eager for battle, replied with scornful pride, declaring to Rāma that the ten-headed one desired nothing but single combat. Hearing this challenge, Rāma set forth for Lanka, accompanied by his valiant army of monkeys. Among his companions were Hanuman, Mainda, Dwivida, Jambavan, and Nala, each renowned for their strength and courage. They were joined by Nil, Tara, Angada, Dhubhra, Sushena, Kesari, Gaya, Panasa, Vinata, Rambha, Sharabha, Kathana, and other mighty warriors. Gavākṣa, Dadhivaktra, Gavaya, Gandhamādana, and Sugrīva were present as well, along with countless other heroes. A tumultuous and dreadful battle erupted between the Rākṣasas and the Vānaras. The Rākṣasas unleashed a hail of arrows, spears, maces, and other weapons, felling many Vānaras. Yet the Vānaras fought back fiercely, using their claws, teeth, and hurling rocks, causing devastation among the Rākṣasa forces. The hosts of elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers were destroyed. In the thick of battle, Hanumān slew the formidable Dhumrākṣa with a mountain peak, while Nīla struck down Akampana and Prahasta. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, once bound by Indrajit’s magical arrows, were freed by the sight of Garuḍa. Restored, they rained arrows upon the Rākṣasa army, scattering their foes. Rāma wounded Rāvaṇa with his arrows, causing the demon king great distress. In his anguish, Rāvaṇa awakened his mighty brother Kumbhakarṇa. Upon waking, Kumbhakarṇa drank a thousand jars of liquor and devoured buffaloes and other creatures to slake his hunger. Then he addressed Rāvaṇa, saying, “Because you, my elder, committed the sinful abduction of Sītā, I will now go to battle and kill Rāma and the Vānaras.” With these words, Kumbhakarṇa stormed into battle, crushing the Vānaras before him. He seized Sugrīva and, in his rage, cut off his ears and nose. Deprived of his features, Sugrīva was consumed amidst the Vānaras. Then Kumbha, Nikumbha, and the fierce Makarākṣa appeared on the battlefield. Kumbhakarṇa cut off the feet of his enemies and cast their heads to the ground, while Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, the intoxicated and fierce Praghāsa, Bhāsakarṇa, and Virūpākṣa joined the fray. Devāntaka, Narānta, and the mighty Triśiras, along with the Vānaras and Vibhīṣaṇa, faced Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa in battle. As the fight raged, many Rākṣasas fell on the field. Indrajit, with his magic, bound Rāma and his allies in combat using serpent-arrows granted as boons. Yet, with the healing herbs brought by Hanumān, son of the wind-god, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were restored to full strength. Hanumān carried the entire mountain bearing the healing herb, and with its power, Lakṣmaṇa attacked Indrajit as he performed a sacrifice at Nikumbhilā. In battle, Lakṣmaṇa struck down the heroic Indrajit with his arrows. Stricken with grief at his son’s death, Rāvaṇa resolved to kill Sītā, but was stopped by Avindhya. Instead, Rāvaṇa set out with his army and chariot; at Indra’s behest, Mātali arrived with the celestial chariot for Rāma. A great and terrible battle ensued between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, echoing their earlier confrontations. Rāvaṇa slew many monkeys, but Maruti (Hanumān) and the others struck back, wounding Rāvaṇa. Rāma unleashed a torrent of weapons and missiles like a rain cloud, destroying Rāvaṇa’s banner, chariot, horses, and charioteer. As the battle reached its climax, arms, bows, and heads rose and fell. Rāma pierced Rāvaṇa’s heart with the weapon of Brahmā, severing his many heads. As Rāvaṇa fell to the earth, the demon women wailed in grief. At Rāma’s command, Vibhīṣaṇa comforted them and performed the funeral rites for his brother. Having vanquished his enemy, Rāma reclaimed Sītā, who had proven her purity by entering the fire and emerging unscathed, praised by Indra and the gods. Brahmā and Daśaratha worshipped Rāma, recognizing him as Viṣṇu, subduer of demons. Indra revived the slain monkeys with a shower of nectar. Honored by Rāma, the monkeys departed to heaven after witnessing the great battle. Rāma, in gratitude, gave the kingdom of Laṅkā to Vibhīṣaṇa. With Sītā by his side, Rāma mounted the Puṣpaka chariot and joyfully retraced his path, showing Sītā the forested strongholds they had traversed. Paying respects to Bharadvāja, he arrived at Nandigrāma, where he was warmly greeted by Bharata. Entering Ayodhyā, Rāma was established as king. He saluted Vasiṣṭha and the other elders, as well as his mothers Kauśalyā, Kekayī, and Sumitrā. Having regained his kingdom, Rāma honored the brahmins, worshipped Vāsudeva, his own Self, with horse sacrifices, gave all gifts, and protected his people. He cherished his subjects as his own sons, devoted to righteousness and the fulfillment of desire, restraining the wicked and ensuring that the world was devoted to dharma. Under his rule, the earth yielded all abundance. Nārada continued: Agastya and the other sages, greatly honored, came to Rāghava as he ruled, praising his victory, for Indrajit had been slain. Nārada recounted the lineage: Pulastya, son of Brahmā, begot Viśravas by Naikaṣī. Puṣpotkaṭā, his first wife, bore the lord of wealth, while from Naikaṣī was born Rāvaṇa, twenty-armed and ten-headed, who by austerity and Brahmā’s boon conquered the gods. Kumbhakarṇa was ever sleepy, Vibhīṣaṇa was righteous, and their sister was Śūrpaṇakhā. Rāvaṇa’s son was Meghanāda, known as Indrajit, who, having conquered Indra, was even more powerful than Rāvaṇa. Yet he was slain by you, O Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa, for the welfare of the gods. Having thus spoken, the honored sages Agastya and the others departed. At the request of the gods, Rāma then recounted the tale of Śatrughna, the subduer of Lavaṇa.