Prompted by the rakshasi, Khara, Dushana, and Trishira set out with a formidable army of fourteen thousand rakshasas to attack Rama. But Rama, with his unerring arrows, sent them all to the city of Yama, the realm of death. Then Ravana, urged once more by the rakshasi, came with the intention to abduct Sita. To aid his scheme, Ravana commanded Maricha to take the form of a golden deer, and, holding three staffs, sent him ahead. Sita, entranced by the deer’s beauty, urged Rama to capture it. Rama pursued and killed Maricha, who, as he lay dying, cried out loudly, "O Sita! O Lakshmana!" Hearing this, Sita called for Lakshmana, and he hurried to her side, while Rama saw him departing. Using her magic, the rakshasi declared, "Surely Sita has been abducted." Seizing the opportunity, Ravana snatched Janaki and carried her away. On his way, Ravana slew the noble Jatayu, and then, mighty and triumphant, went to Lanka. There, he kept Sita guarded beneath the shade of the Ashoka trees. Rama soon arrived at the deserted leaf-hut, and, grieving for Janaki, began searching for her everywhere. After performing the funeral rites for Jatayu as instructed, Rama journeyed southward and formed a bond of friendship with Sugriva. To prove his strength, Rama pierced seven palm trees with a single arrow and struck down Vali, the lord of the monkeys in Kishkindha. Rama established Sugriva as king, and remained himself at Rishyamuka. Sugriva then sent forth monkey warriors, mighty as mountains, to search for Sita. Joyfully, they set out in all directions—west, north, east—and then gathered together. Those who searched in the southern direction explored forests, mountains, islands, rivers, and riverbanks. Unable to find Janaki, the monkeys resolved to die. However, after hearing the words of Sampati, Hanuman, the chief among them, understood the way forward. With great resolve, Hanuman leapt across the ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, and found Janaki in the Ashoka grove. There, Sita was threatened by rakshasis and by Ravana, who continually demanded, "Be my wife." Yet Sita thought only of Rama. Hanuman approached her, gave her Rama’s ring, and said, "I am Rama’s messenger; do not grieve, Maithili." He asked her for a token of recognition so Rama would remember her, and Sita gave Hanuman the precious jewel from her braid. Sita implored Hanuman, "Speak to Rama in such a way that he will quickly bring me back." Hanuman replied, "So be it," and 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 declared, "I am Rama’s messenger; give Maithili to Rama." Ravana, enraged, ordered Hanuman’s tail to be set on fire. With his tail ablaze, the mighty monkey burned Lanka and then returned to Rama’s side. After eating fruit in the honey grove and seeing Sita, Hanuman reported everything to Rama and gave him the braid-jewel. Rama then set out for the city of Lanka. Accompanied by Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, Lakshmana, and Vibhishana—who had sought refuge with Raghava—Rama proceeded. He anointed Ravana’s brother as king over Lanka, and with Nala’s help, built a bridge across the ocean and crossed it. Standing atop Suvela mountain, Rama saw the city of Lanka. The heroic monkeys—Nila, Angada, Nala, and others—along with Jambavan and leaders Mainda and Dvivida, and the smoky-eyed rakshasa chiefs, began to destroy the city of Lanka. Rama, with Lakshmana and the monkeys, slew all the rakshasas of great size, black as heaps of coal. He killed Vidyujjihva, Dhūmrākṣa, Devāntaka, Narāntaka, Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, Atikāya, and other mighty warriors. He slew Kumbha, Nikumbha, Matta, Makarākṣa, Akampana, Prahasta the fierce warrior, and the mighty Kumbhakarna. Lakshmana struck Ravana with weapons, and the powerful Raghava cut off Ravana’s arms and felled him. Then, taking purified Sita, Rama boarded the Pushpaka chariot with the monkeys and returned to the splendid city of Ayodhya. There, Rama ruled the kingdom, protecting his people as his own children. He performed ten ashvamedha sacrifices and offered oblations at Gaya. Raghava honored his ancestors with rites, gave gifts, and, seeing his sons Kusha and Lava, installed them in the kingdom. Rama ruled for eleven thousand years. Shatrughna killed Lavana and then the demon Shailusha. Having bowed to sages such as Agastya and heard the origin of the demons, Rama, fulfilled in purpose, ascended to heaven together with the people of Ayodhya. Brahma then spoke: "I shall now declare the Harivamsha, the supreme greatness of Krishna." From Vasudeva and Devaki, Vasudeva—Bala—was born. For the protection of righteousness and the destruction of unrighteousness, Krishna, having deeply sucked her breasts, brought Putana to her end. The cart was overturned, the twin Arjuna trees were broken, the serpent Kaliya was subdued, and Dhenuka was struck down. Govardhana mountain was held up and worshipped by Indra. Hari fulfilled his vow and performed the removal of the earth’s burden. For the protection of Arjuna and others, demons such as Arishta were struck down; the demon Keshi was slain, and the cowherds and others were satisfied.