O wise one, listen to the sacred account of how, by the command of Rāma, the people of Sāketa city were led to their great destiny, and how Rāghava himself revealed this to all. After fulfilling the divine work entrusted to him by the gods, Rāma, ever steadfast and untiring, resolved to depart from the world. The news of his resolve spread quickly, carried by spies and the wondrous monkeys capable of assuming any form. These monkeys, sons of gods, gandharvas, and sages, along with all the leaders of their mighty troops, approached Rāma and spoke with devotion: “O best of men, if you go without us, what will become of us?” Hearing the heartfelt words of the bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, Rāma addressed Vibhīṣaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas: “As long as living beings endure, O Vibhīṣaṇa, rule this kingdom as I command; do not disregard my words.” Thus instructing Vibhīṣaṇa, the noble descendant of Kakutstha then turned to Hanuman and said, “As long as people speak of my story, O best of monkeys, you shall remain in this world.” To Mainda and Dvivida, who had tasted the nectar of immortality, Rāma declared, “Let the monkeys here protect our sons and grandsons as we now depart together.” So spoke Rāghava to them at that time. When the night had passed, the broad-chested, mighty-armed Rāma first approached the blazing sacrificial fires, which shone brightly in all directions. The radiant sage Vasiṣṭha, having pondered deeply, stood there, clad in linen garments and steadfast in his vow of celibacy. The lord of men, Rāma, uttered neither auspicious nor inauspicious words, maintaining perfect equanimity. At Rāma’s left side stood Śrī, the goddess of fortune, holding her lotus and seeking refuge in him. Weapons of all kinds—bows and bowstrings—were present. The Veda, appearing in the form of a Brāhmaṇa, stood at his right, and Sāvitrī was at his left. Great-souled sages and even the mountains themselves assembled there, bearing witness to this momentous event. The women of the inner palace followed Kakutstha, and Bharata, accompanied by Śatrughna and the royal entourage, set out as well. The noble Brāhmaṇas, carrying their sacred fires, moved about in all directions, while the ministers, attended by their servants, sons, and relatives, also joined the procession. All the people, surrounded by joyful and prosperous citizens, gathered, including every subject with their families. Having bathed, all donned white garments, their minds pure and intent. None among them was dejected, afraid, or overcome by sorrow. The people of the kingdom, eager to witness the king’s liberation, assembled in great numbers. Bears, monkeys, demons, and the city’s inhabitants, even those beings who had become invisible, all gathered. Every creature, moving and unmoving, who beheld Kakutstha, was present—there was not a single living being left in Ayodhya, not even the subtlest one. Having journeyed half a yojana, Rāma proceeded westward to the river. At that very moment, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, arrived at the spot where Kakutstha stood at the gate of heaven, surrounded on all sides by hundreds of millions of resplendent divine aerial chariots. Thus, the great departure of Rāma and the people of Sāketa unfolded, blessed by the presence of gods, sages, and all beings.