Paying his respects to the sage Bharadvāja, Rāma journeyed to Nandigrāma, where he was warmly received by his brother Bharata. From there, he entered the city of Ayodhyā and was established once more as king. Upon his return, Rāma saluted the venerable Vasiṣṭha and the other elders, as well as his mothers—Kauśalyā, Kekayī, and Sumitrā. Having regained his kingdom, he honored the brahmins with deep reverence. Rāma worshipped Vāsudeva, recognizing him as his very Self, and performed grand horse sacrifices. He gave gifts freely and protected his people with justice and care. He cherished his subjects as if they were his own sons, remaining ever devoted to dharma and the right fulfillment of desires, and was intent on restraining those who did wrong. Under his rule, the entire world was steadfast in righteousness, and the earth yielded abundant prosperity. Nārada then spoke, recounting how Agastya and the other great sages, having been honored, came to Rāghava as he ruled. He praised Rāma, saying, “You are blessed and victorious, for Indrajit has been slain.” Nārada continued, describing the lineage of Rāvaṇa. Pulastya, son of Brahmā, had a son named Viśravas by Naikaṣī. Viśravas’ first wife was Puṣpotkaṭā, and their son was the lord of wealth. From Naikaṣī was born Rāvaṇa, who possessed twenty arms and ten heads. Through severe austerities and a boon from Brahmā, Rāvaṇa conquered the gods. His brothers were Kumbhakarṇa, who was ever overcome by sleep, and Vibhīṣaṇa, who was righteous. Their sister was Śūrpaṇakhā, and Rāvaṇa’s son was Meghanāda, also known as Indrajit. Indrajit, who had conquered even Indra and was more powerful than Rāvaṇa himself, was ultimately slain by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who sought the welfare of the gods. Having spoken thus, Agastya and the other honored sages departed. At the request of the gods, Rāma then recounted the deeds of Śatrughna, the subduer of Lavaṇa. Rāma told of the ancient city Mathurā, which Bharata, at Rāma’s command, destroyed. With sharp arrows, Bharata slew three crores of the sons of the wicked Gandharva actor who dwelled on the banks of the Sindhu. The Gandharva and his sons, Takṣa and Puṣkara, were left behind in those lands. Bharata, together with Śatrughna, set forth, always honoring Rāghava who remained in Ayodhyā. Rāma, having slain the wicked in battle, protected the people who remained, ruling as a just man. In time, Rāma’s two illustrious sons, Kuśa and Lava, were born in the hermitage of Vālmīki. Though Sītā had been abandoned due to public reproach, the noble conduct of her sons became known. Having installed his sons in the kingdom, Rāma devoted himself to meditation on Brahman, contemplating, “I am He,” for ten thousand and ten hundred years. Agni then spoke, recounting the divine lineage of Hari, who was born from the lotus-navel of Viṣṇu. From Brahmā came Atri, from Atri Soma, and from Soma was born Purūravas. From Purūravas came Āyu, then Nahusha, and then Yayāti. From Yayāti came Yadu and Turvasu, and from them was born Devayānī. Druhyu, Anu, and Puru were also born, and Sharmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan. Among the descendants of Yadu were the mighty Yādavas, with Vasudeva as their foremost. For the removal of the earth’s burden, six sons were born to Vasudeva and Devakī—these were the children of Hiraṇyakaśipu, brought into Devakī’s womb by Yogamāyā. By the power of Viṣṇu, these children were placed long ago in Devakī’s womb. The seventh embryo from Devakī was transferred into Rohiṇī, becoming Balarāma, also known as Rauhiṇeya. On the eighth day of the dark fortnight, at midnight, the four-armed one, Kṛṣṇa, was born. The child, now with two arms, was praised by Devakī and Vasudeva. Out of fear of Kaṁsa, Vasudeva carried the infant to the bed of Yaśodā, exchanging him for her daughter. Taking Yaśodā’s daughter, he placed her on Devakī’s bed. When Kaṁsa heard the cry of the child, he seized her and dashed her upon a stone. Yet, even as he did so, she, who was the eighth embryo of Devakī and destined to be his death, escaped his grasp. A bodiless voice then told Kaṁsa that the one who would slay him had already been born, and Kaṁsa, in his terror, killed the other children of Devakī. The girl, when hurled, spoke from the sky to Kaṁsa, “Why do you cast me down, Kaṁsa? The one born to slay you has already come; he is the very essence of the gods, descended to relieve the burden of the earth.” Having spoken thus, she, praised by Indra for having slain Sumbha and others, was recognized as Āryā, Durgā, the womb of the Vedas, Ambikā, and Bhadrakālī. She is Bhadra, Kṣomyā, Kṣemakarī, of many arms, and is worthy of all worship. Whoever recites her names at the three junctions of the day attains all desires. Kaṁsa, still fearing for his life, sent Pūtanā and other demons to kill the child. But Yaśodā and Nanda, entrusted by Vasudeva, cared for Kṛṣṇa. For their protection, and out of fear, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa dwelled in Gokula, moving about with the cows and the cowherd boys. These two, protectors of the world, lived as cowherds. Once, Kṛṣṇa was bound to a mortar by Yaśodā with a rope as she busied herself with chores. Crawling between the twin Arjuna trees, Kṛṣṇa broke them apart. The cart was overturned by the foot of the child as he sought his mother’s breast. Pūtanā, who came to kill, was slain as she nursed him. Later, Kṛṣṇa went to Vṛndāvana and subdued the serpent Kāliya in the Yamunā lake. Having defeated and driven Kāliya from the waters, Kṛṣṇa, praised for his strength, made Tālavana safe by killing Dhenuka, the ass-demon. He also slew Ariṣṭa, the bull-demon, and Keśī, who appeared in the form of a horse. Kṛṣṇa then caused the cowherds’ sacrifice to be performed, abandoning the festival of Indra. When Indra, angered, sent torrential rains, Kṛṣṇa lifted the mountain to shield the people. Govinda was then worshipped by Mahendra and offered to Arjuna. Pleased, Kṛṣṇa caused the Indra festival to be performed again. Then, riding in a chariot, he went to Mathurā, praised by Akrūra, who had come at Kaṁsa’s command. The loving Gopīs gazed upon Kṛṣṇa as he departed, playing with him in their hearts. In Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa defeated the washerman who refused him garments and took the clothes. With Rāma, he wore a garland and granted a boon to the garland-maker. He straightened the hunchbacked woman who had anointed him and then killed the mighty elephant. Finally, Kṛṣṇa entered the arena, confronting the intoxicated elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa at the gate. In the presence of Kaṁsa and others seated on the platform, he engaged in wrestling, ready to fulfill his destiny.