When Hariścandra’s grand Rājasūya sacrifice concluded, O Rāghava, all aquatic creatures perished, and a tremendous battle of the Āḍībakas erupted, devastating the worlds. All beings on earth, including those born in animal wombs, were swept away. It is heard that during this Rājasūya, both celestial and earthly beings met their end. Therefore, O best of men, weigh this carefully with your intellect, O king. Act for the gentle welfare of all living beings, fully aligned with dharma. Upon hearing Bharata’s wise counsel, Rāghava spoke respectfully. “Your words please me, O knower of dharma, O subduer of enemies. My mind, O lover of righteousness, has turned away from the Rājasūya sacrifices. Instead, I shall fulfill complete dharma, and I will establish Vāmana in Kānyakubja. Thus, my fame will reach the heavens, O hero. There can be no doubt about this, just as the Gaṅgā came forth through the efforts of Bhagīratha.” Bhīṣma then spoke, his curiosity awakened: “O sage among Brāhmaṇas, how did Rāma establish Vāmana at Kānyakubja, and where was he obtained? Tell me in detail. The sweetness of speech that praises Rāma delights my ears. People gaze upon Raghava with affection and love; he is wise in righteousness, grateful, and firmly rooted in understanding. He governs the entire earth, established in dharma. Under his rule, the kingdom is like a wish-fulfilling tree, granting every desire. There are abundant, flavorful garments of many kinds, and the earth yields crops without ploughing, free from rivals. He accomplished the gods’ task: Ravana, the tormentor of the worlds, along with his sons and ministers, was effortlessly destroyed by him. O best of twice-born, in him arose a mind fully established in dharma. O sage, I wish to hear all of his deeds.” Pulastya replied, “At a certain time, Rāma, steadfast on the path of dharma, performed noble deeds. Listen attentively, O king, to what the mighty-armed one did. He remembered the king of the Rakshasas and wondered how Vibhishana, the Rakshasa, would rule the kingdom established in Lanka. Among the gods, opposition is a sign of destruction; but by me, that kingdom was given to him, enduring as long as the moon and sun. Because of his indestructibility, his fame will remain firm and eternal by my will. Ravana performed austerities here only for his own destruction. That most sinful one has now been destroyed by me for the gods’ cause. Therefore, now I must personally go and see Vibhishana. He must be instructed in what is beneficial, so that he may remain forever.” As Rāma, of immeasurable energy, pondered this, Bharata approached him and said, “O Lord, what are you thinking? Do not keep any secret from me. Is it about the gods’ work, or something concerning the earth, or your own affair, O best of men?” Raghava replied, “There is no secret from you; you are like my external life-breath, and so is the illustrious Lakshmana. There is nothing unknown to you about me—this is the truth, believe it. My great concern is about how Vibhishana fares among the gods. For their welfare, Ravana was slain. I will go today to Lanka, where Vibhishana is.” After seeing that city and speaking with the Rakshasa, Rāma surveyed the whole earth and beheld Sugriva, lord of the monkeys. Standing before Kakutstha, Bharata spoke, mentioning King Shatrughna and all the sons of his brothers. He addressed Raghava, saying, “I will go with you; mighty-armed one, do so. Let Saumitri remain here.” Rāma then said to Saumitri in the city, “O hero, you must attend to the duty of protection until our return.” After instructing Lakshmana thus, and meditating on the Pushpaka, the joy-bringer of Kausalya ascended that celestial vehicle. The Pushpaka arrived at the region of Gandhara. Rāma saw the sons of Bharata and observed the governance of the world. Then, going eastward to where the sons of Lakshmana resided, the descendants of Raghu stayed in those cities for six nights. Traveling southward in that aerial chariot, they reached the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, a place frequented by sages at Prayaga. After offering respects to Bharadvaja, they went to Atri’s hermitage; after conversing with the sages there, they proceeded to Janasthana. Rāma spoke, “Here, Sita was formerly abducted by the wicked Ravana, after he killed Jatayu, the vulture who was our father’s friend. Here, we fought a great battle with the evil-minded Kabandha; after he was slain and burned, Sita was taken to Ravana’s abode. On the noble mountain Rishyamuka, there is a vanara named Sugriva; he will aid you. Go to Pampa with your brother. Upon reaching the lake Pampa, go to Shabari, the ascetic. Thus instructed, the hero, afflicted and hopeless of life, remained.” He continued, “This is the lotus pond, O hero, where Lakshmana said: ‘Do not grieve, tiger among men, destroyer of foes.’ If you are obedient and devoted, you will obtain Maithili here. For me, the months spent here were like a hundred years.” Thus, the story unfolds—filled with the wisdom and dharma of Rāma and the path he walked, ever mindful of the welfare of all beings, his deeds echoing through the ages.