The mighty Hanuman, his tail set alight, leapt through Lanka, setting the city ablaze with his fiery devotion. Having completed his mission, he returned swiftly to Rama’s side. After refreshing himself with sweet fruits in the honey grove and meeting Sita, Hanuman brought news of her welfare to Rama, presenting him with her braid-jewel as a token. With this sign of hope, Rama resolved to march upon Lanka. He set out, accompanied by Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, and Lakshmana. Vibhishana, Ravana’s noble brother who had sought refuge with Rama, joined their ranks. Upon reaching Lanka, Rama consecrated Vibhishana as king, affirming his allegiance. Then, with the help of Nala, the vanara engineer, Rama built a bridge across the ocean, leading his forces across the waters to the island fortress. From the heights of Suvela mountain, Rama beheld the golden city of Lanka. The heroic monkeys—Nila, Angada, Nala, Jambavan, Mainda, Dvivida, and others—joined by the rakshasa chiefs loyal to Rama, began their assault, laying waste to the city’s defenses. Rama, with Lakshmana and the monkey army, slew the formidable rakshasas, whose bodies were dark as coal and immense in size. In the fierce battle that followed, Rama vanquished many mighty foes: Vidyujjihva, Dhūmrākṣa, Devāntaka, Narāntaka, Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, Atikāya, and others fell before his arrows. He also slew Kumbha, Nikumbha, Matta, Makarākṣa, Akampana, Prahasta the fierce, and the giant Kumbhakarna. Lakshmana struck Ravana with his weapons, and Rama, with supreme might, severed Ravana’s arms and brought the demon king low. With victory won, Rama reclaimed the purified Sita and, along with the monkeys, boarded the celestial Pushpaka chariot. They returned in triumph to the splendid city of Ayodhya. There, Rama ruled as a just and compassionate king, caring for his people as a father for his children. He performed ten great ashvamedha sacrifices and offered oblations at Gaya, honoring his ancestors. Rama fulfilled all his duties: he performed the ancestral rites, gave generous gifts, and, upon seeing his sons Kusha and Lava, installed them as rulers. His reign lasted eleven thousand years, marked by righteousness and prosperity. Shatrughna, Rama’s brother, slew the demon Lavana and then Shailusha. In the end, after paying homage to sages such as Agastya and hearing the stories of the demons’ origins, Rama, his purpose fulfilled, ascended to heaven, taking with him the people of Ayodhya. Then Brahma spoke: “I shall now declare the Harivamsha, the supreme glory of Krishna. From Vasudeva and Devaki was born Vasudeva—Bala—and Krishna himself. For the protection of dharma, Krishna destroyed the evil ones: as an infant, he drew out the life of Putana by sucking at her poisoned breast. He overturned the deadly cart, broke the twin Arjuna trees, subdued the serpent Kaliya, and struck down Dhenuka. He lifted the mighty Govardhana mountain, sheltering all, and Indra himself worshipped him. Thus did Hari fulfill his vow to lighten the burden of the earth. For the sake of Arjuna and others, he slew demons such as Arishta and Keshi, bringing satisfaction and safety to the cowherds. Krishna defeated the powerful wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika, and at last, he slew the wicked Kamsa. He married Rukmini, Satyabhama, and other noble women—eight chief wives in all—along with sixteen thousand others, all of whom he protected. Their sons, grandsons, and descendants numbered in the hundreds and thousands. From Rukmini was born Pradyumna, who killed the demon Shambara. Pradyumna’s son was Aniruddha, who married Usha, the daughter of Bana. When Bana, adorned with a thousand arms, challenged Krishna, Hari fought a great battle against Shiva himself, cutting away all but two of Bana’s arms. Krishna slew Naraka and brought the celestial Parijata tree to earth. Balarama, Shishupala, and the monkey Dvivida were also slain by his hand. From Aniruddha was born Vajra, who became king after Krishna’s departure. Vajra appointed Sandipani as his guru, along with Sandipani’s son, and in Mathura, Ugrasena was established as the protector of the gods. Brahma continued: “Now I shall declare the Bharata, the story of how Krishna relieved the earth’s burden through the war of the Pandavas. From Vishnu’s navel was born Brahma; Brahma’s son was Atri; from Soma came Budha; from Budha and Ila was born Pururavas. In that line came Ayus, then Yayati, Bharata, and Kuru. From Kuru descended Shantanu, whose son by Ganga was Bhishma, a paragon of virtue and wisdom. To Shantanu and Satyavati were born two sons: Chitrangada, who was slain by a Gandharva, and Vichitravirya, who married the princess of Kashi. When Vichitravirya died, Vyasa, through the practice of niyoga, fathered sons on his widows. Thus were born Dhritarashtra from Ambika, Pandu from Ambalika, and Vidura from a maidservant. Dhritarashtra, by Gandhari, had a hundred mighty sons, led by Duryodhana. Pandu, through Kunti and Madri, had five sons: Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—all heroes of great strength. Fate brought enmity between the Kurus and Pandavas, and Duryodhana’s malice drove the Pandavas into many hardships. When their house of lac was set ablaze, the Pandavas escaped, their minds pure. They found refuge in Ekachakra, where they stayed in a Brahmin’s house and slew the demon Baka. Later, in the land of Panchala, the Pandavas won Draupadi as their bride at her self-choice ceremony, triumphing by their valor. With the blessings of Drona and Bhishma, Dhritarashtra made peace with them, and the Pandavas received half the kingdom, establishing themselves in the resplendent city of Indraprastha.