The swift-moving monkeys, having carried out their search across the earth, hastened back to Kiṣkindhā, where their king, Sugrīva, awaited them. With hearts full of devotion, they gathered all the fruits, roots, and herbs they had found, and offered these gifts to their king. Bowing respectfully, they reported, “All the mountains, rivers, and forests on earth have been searched; every monkey is returning to you, as you commanded.” Having received these offerings, Sugrīva welcomed and comforted all the monkeys for their efforts. Then, satisfied that the search had been thorough and that both he and Rāghava had accomplished their aims, Sugrīva dismissed the thousands of monkeys who had fulfilled their tasks. At this moment, Lakṣmaṇa, ever respectful and eager to serve, addressed Sugrīva, the most powerful and noble of the monkeys. With gentle words, he said, “If it pleases you, O gracious one, let us depart from Kiṣkindhā.” Sugrīva, delighted by Lakṣmaṇa’s words, replied warmly, “So be it! Let us go. I am ever under your command.” Having spoken thus to Lakṣmaṇa, who bore auspicious marks, Sugrīva dismissed Tārā and the other women. Then, with a loud call, he summoned the foremost monkeys. At his command, the monkeys quickly assembled, standing before him with hands joined in reverence. The king, radiant as the sun and visible to all, addressed them as they arrived: “Monkeys, quickly bring my palanquin here!” Swiftly obeying, the monkeys brought forth a beautiful palanquin. Seeing it ready, Sugrīva invited Saumitri—Lakṣmaṇa—to ascend. He himself, shining like the midday sun, mounted the golden vehicle, which was yoked with many monkeys. A white parasol shaded his head, and he was fanned on all sides with white yak-tail fans. The air resounded with the music of conches and drums, and bards sang his praises. Thus adorned in royal splendor and surrounded by hundreds of fierce, weapon-bearing monkeys, Sugrīva set out. Encircled by his mighty host, he journeyed to the place where Rāma waited. Upon arrival, Sugrīva and Lakṣmaṇa descended from the palanquin. Approaching Rāma, Sugrīva stood before him with joined palms, and all the assembled monkeys did likewise. Rāma beheld Sugrīva—humble and respectful, surrounded by his vast army—like a lotus bud in a tranquil pond. Pleased by the sight of Sugrīva and his great assembly, Rāma lifted the monkey king, who had bowed at his feet, and embraced him with affection and honor. With warmth, Rāma invited Sugrīva to be seated. Once Sugrīva was seated on the ground, Rāma spoke words of guidance: “He who attends to righteousness, wealth, and desire at the proper time, dividing them wisely, O hero, is truly the best of kings. But one who abandons righteousness and wealth to pursue only desire is like a man who, sleeping atop a tree, awakens only after he has fallen. A king who destroys his enemies and protects his friends, enjoying the fruits of the three aims of life, stands firm in dharma. Now is the time for effort, O lord of tawny ones. Let this be considered carefully with your monkeys and counselors.” Hearing this, Sugrīva replied with gratitude, “My fortune, my fame, and the eternal monkey kingdom had all been lost; by your grace, O mighty-armed one, I have regained them. By the favor of the gods and your victorious brother, I am restored. One who does not repay what has been done for him is truly a disgrace among men. “O destroyer of enemies, here are these foremost monkeys by the hundreds, who have gathered, bringing with them all the powerful monkeys from across the earth. There are also heroic bears, monkeys, and langurs, fierce in appearance and well-versed in the wild forests and mountain strongholds. O Rāghava, there are monkeys who are sons of gods and gandharvas, able to assume any form at will, each accompanied by their own armies, moving swiftly along the path. There are hundreds, hundreds of thousands, and even millions, surrounded by tens of thousands and by battalions, O scorcher of foes. Monkeys and monkey chiefs gather in numbers beyond counting—arbuda after arbuda, and hosts as vast as the ocean. “O king, those with the might of Mahendra, resembling clouds and mountains, dwelling on Meru and Vindhya, are coming to you. They will come to fight the rakshasa in battle. Having slain Rāvaṇa, they will surely bring back Maithili.” Seeing these preparations under the mighty Sugrīva’s command, Rāma, the son of the lord of the earth, was filled with joy, his face shining like a blossoming blue lotus. As Sugrīva finished speaking, Rāma—the best among upholders of dharma—embraced him warmly with both arms and, with hands joined in gratitude, replied to his devoted friend.