The gods, troubled by a great darkness, sought refuge in Brahmā, the Lotus-born. He addressed them, saying, “This ascetic heat can only be pacified by ascetic heat itself.” He explained that the sun had ceased to rise because of the extraordinary virtue and power of the devoted wife, Anasūyā. Her steadfastness kept the sun from appearing, plunging mortals—including the gods themselves—into darkness. Brahmā advised them, “Appease the devoted and ascetic Anasūyā, the wife, so that the sun may rise again.” Following his counsel, the gods approached Anasūyā and, after appeasing her, she caused the sun to rise, reviving her husband. In her devotion, Anasūyā even surpassed Sītā. Then Brahmā spoke, “Now I shall recount the Rāmāyaṇa, which destroys sin, as I have heard it.” He began with the origin: from Viṣṇu’s navel was born Brahmā, whose son was Marīci. From Marīci came Kaśyapa, then Rivi, and from Rivi, Manu. In Manu’s lineage was born Ikṣvāku, and from Ikṣvāku came King Raghu. Raghu’s son was Aja, and Aja’s son was the mighty king Daśaratha, who had four sons of great strength and valor. Rāma was born to Kausalyā, Bharata to Kaikeyī, and Sumitrā bore the two sons, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. Rāma, ever devoted to his parents, received a collection of divine weapons from Viśvāmitra and slew the yakṣī Tāṭakā. At Viśvāmitra’s sacrifice, Rāma defeated the mighty Subāhu. Later, at Janaka’s sacrifice, Rāma married Jānakī (Sītā). Lakṣmaṇa married Ūrmilā, Bharata wed Māṇḍavī, and Śatrughna married both Kīrtimatī and the daughter of Kuśadhvaja. After these marriages, Rāma and his brothers, with their fathers, returned to Ayodhyā and dwelt there. Śatrughna and Bharata visited their maternal uncle, Yudhājit. While they were away, King Daśaratha prepared to bestow the kingdom. At Kaikeyī’s request, he resolved to grant it to her son. Thus, Rāma was asked to spend fourteen years in the forest. For his father’s welfare, Rāma departed with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, renouncing the kingdom as if it were straw. They journeyed to Śṛṅgaverapura, left their chariot, proceeded to Prayāga, and then to the mountain Citrakūṭa. Separated from Rāma, King Daśaratha passed away and attained heaven. After performing the necessary rites, Bharata arrived with his forces and urged Rāma to rule the kingdom. Rāma declined, instead giving his sandals to Bharata as a token of kingship. Bharata, dismissed, governed Rāma’s kingdom from Nandigrāma, faithfully observing vows and never entering Ayodhyā. Rāma, leaving Citrakūṭa, visited the hermitage of Atri, then bowed to Sutikshna and Agastya, and entered the Dandaka forest. There, the rakshasi Shurpanakha approached with hostile intent. Rāma cut off her ears and nose and drove her away. Incited by her, Khara, Dushana, and Trishira, along with an army of fourteen thousand rakshasas, attacked. Rāma sent them all to the city of Yama with his arrows. Then, urged by Shurpanakha, Ravana arrived to abduct Sītā. He had Maricha take the form of a golden deer and sent him ahead, holding three staffs. Sītā, desiring the deer, prompted Rāma to pursue it. Rāma slew Maricha, who, as he died, cried out, “O Sītā! O Lakṣmaṇa!” Hearing this, Sītā called Lakṣmaṇa, who came to her, and Rāma returned. Meanwhile, the rakshasi used her magic to suggest that Sītā had been abducted. Ravana seized the opportunity, captured Janaki (Sītā), and carried her away. After slaying Jatayu, Ravana went to Lanka, keeping Sītā guarded beneath the shade of Ashoka trees. Rāma arrived to find the deserted leaf-hut and, grieving for Janaki, began searching for her. He performed rites for Jatayu as instructed and journeyed south, forming a friendship with Sugriva. To prove his strength, Rāma pierced seven palm trees with a single arrow and struck down Vali, the lord of the monkeys in Kishkindha. He established Sugriva as king and remained at Rishyamuka, while Sugriva sent forth monkey warriors, mighty as mountains, in all directions to search for Sītā. The monkeys joyfully set out west, north, east, and then gathered together. Those searching in the southern direction explored forests, mountains, islands, rivers, and riverbanks. Unable to find Janaki, they resolved to die, but, learning from Sampati’s words, Hanuman, the monkey chief, understood the path. Hanuman leapt across the ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, and discovered Janaki in the Ashoka grove. She was threatened by rakshasis and by Ravana, who demanded she become his wife, but Sītā thought only of Rāma. Hanuman gave her a ring and said, “I am Rāma’s messenger; do not grieve, Maithili.” He asked for a token of recognition so Rāma would remember her, and Sītā gave Hanuman the jewel from her braid. She instructed Hanuman to speak to Rāma in such a way that he would quickly rescue her. Hanuman agreed, then destroyed the divine grove. After slaying Aksha and other rakshasas, Hanuman was captured. Bound by Indrajit’s arrows, he was brought before Ravana. Hanuman proclaimed, “I am Rāma’s messenger; give Maithili to Rāma.” Hearing this, Ravana became enraged and ordered Hanuman’s tail to be set on fire.