At Rāma’s left side stood Śrī, the goddess of fortune, holding her lotus and seeking refuge in him. Around them lay an array of weapons—bows with taut bowstrings—signifying readiness and protection. At Rāma’s right was the Veda itself, embodied as a Brāhmaṇa, and at his left, Sāvitrī, the sacred mother of mantras. The great-souled sages gathered there, and all the mountains themselves seemed present, bearing witness to this sacred event. The noble women of the inner palace followed Kakutstha, their hearts devoted and their steps steadfast. Bharata, accompanied by Śatrughna and the ladies of the inner palace, also set out, their minds intent on the path ahead. The venerable Brāhmaṇas, carrying their sacrificial fires, moved in all directions, sanctifying the way. Ministers, attended by their servants, sons, and relatives, joined the procession, their presence dignified and solemn. All the people, surrounded by joyful and prosperous citizens, assembled as one. The subjects, too, with their sons and relatives, came together in unity. Having bathed, they dressed in pure white garments, their minds clear and hearts uplifted. No one was dejected, nor afraid, nor overwhelmed by sorrow. The citizens of the kingdom, eager to witness the king’s liberation, gathered from every quarter. Bears, monkeys, demons, and the inhabitants of the city itself joined the throng. Even those beings who had become invisible in the city were present. All creatures, moving and unmoving, who beheld Kakutstha, assembled there; not a single living being remained in Ayodhya, not even the subtlest presence. Proceeding half a yojana westward, Rāma reached the river. At that very moment, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, arrived at the gateway of heaven where Kakutstha stood. He was surrounded on all sides by hundreds of millions of divine aerial chariots, their own radiance and splendor shining forth, earned through virtuous deeds. A shower of blessed flowers, swift and wind-driven, rained down in celebration. Rāma then touched the waters of the Sarayū river with his feet. Though he is the lord of the worlds, no one truly knows him; he is inconceivable, a great and imperishable wonder, upholding all creation. By the word of the grandsire, Rāma himself entered the sacred waters, and the gods, rejoicing in Viṣṇu, worshipped the best among them. The Sādhyas, the hosts of Maruts, Indra and those led by Agni, Suparṇas, Nāgas, Yakṣas, as well as Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas—all the divine and semi-divine beings—were present, joyful and delighted, their desires completely fulfilled. Then the mighty and radiant Viṣṇu spoke to the grandsire: “All these people have come here out of affection for me.” Hearing this, Brahmā, Lord of all worlds, replied, “At this holy place, which is the gateway to heaven, one should meditate solely on Rāma. All those called Saṃtānika, after departing from the world of Brahmā, from whom gods and demons of various forms have arisen, the sages, nāgas, and yakṣas too, will go to their respective abodes.” Thus, they entered the Sarayū, which was full of water at that time. Abandoning their human bodies, they ascended celestial vehicles. There, having given up their mortal forms, they assumed divine bodies. Having attained the highest state, they reached the world of the gods, all entering heaven, leaving their bodies behind. In this way, all of them went to heaven, their minds fixed on the mighty Lord, the teacher of the worlds.