Having witnessed all these events with clear discernment, the great-minded sage became intent on composing the entire story of the delightful Rāma. This tale, filled with the pursuits of desire, wealth, and virtue, and expanding with the qualities of righteousness and purpose, was as enchanting to all who heard it as the ocean is, rich with gems. As it had once been recounted by the illustrious sage Nārada, the venerable Vālmīki undertook to compose the story of the Raghu dynasty. He narrated Rāma’s birth, his extraordinary valor, the universal favor he enjoyed, his belovedness among the people, and his patience, gentleness, and unwavering truthfulness. The sage included wondrous episodes: Rāma’s aid to the sage Viśvāmitra, the marriage of Janakī (Sītā), and the breaking of the mighty bow. He told of the conflict between Rāma and Paraśurāma, the virtues of King Daśaratha, Rāma’s planned consecration, and the wickedness of Kaikeyī. Vālmīki recounted how Rāma’s consecration was obstructed, his exile to the forest, the king’s grief and lamentation, and Daśaratha’s passing from this world. The sorrow of the people of Ayodhyā, their dismissal, the conversation with the chief of the Niṣādas, and the turning back of the charioteer were all told. Rāma’s crossing of the Gaṅgā, his meeting with Bharadvāja, the sage’s permission, and the first sight of Chitrakūṭa were all woven into the tale. The building of the forest dwelling, Bharata’s arrival, Rāma’s gentle persuasion, and the water-offering for his departed father were described. Vālmīki spoke of the consecration of Rāma’s sandals, Bharata’s residence at Nandigrāma, the journey to the Daṇḍaka forest, and the slaying of the demon Virādha. The sage narrated meetings with the ascetics Śarabhaṅga and Sutikṣṇa, the story of Anasūyā, and the gift of fragrant ointment. He described the meeting with Agastya, the receiving of a sacred bow, the encounter with Śūrpaṇakhā and her disfigurement. The tale continued with the slaying of Khara and Triśiras, the rise of Rāvaṇa, the killing of Mārīca, and the abduction of Vaidehī (Sītā). Rāghava’s sorrow, the death of the king of vultures (Jaṭāyu), the encounter with Kabandha, and the sight of the Pampa lake followed. The sage included the meeting with Śabarī, subsisting on fruits and roots, the lamentation at Pampa, and the meeting with Hanumān. The journey to Ṛśyamūka, the meeting with Sugrīva, the forging of trust and friendship, and the conflict between Vāli and Sugrīva were all recounted. Vāli’s defeat, Sugrīva’s restoration, Tārā’s lamentation, the agreement, and the dwelling through the rainy season were not forgotten. Vālmīki described Rāghava’s anger, the gathering of the armies, the dispatching of search parties in all directions, and their reporting to the earth. The giving of Rāma’s ring, the discovery of the bear’s cave, the resolve to fast unto death, and the meeting with Sampāti were told. The ascent of the mountain, Hanumān’s leap over the ocean, the words of the ocean, and the sight of Maināka were all included. He narrated Hanumān’s encounter with the demoness, the shadow-grasper, the destruction of Siṃhikā, and the sight of Laṅkā and Mount Malaya. The sage told of Hanumān’s entry into Laṅkā at night, his solitary reflection, his approach to the drinking ground, and his sight of the guarded enclosure. The vision of Rāvaṇa, the Pushpaka chariot, the Ashoka grove, and the first sight of Sītā were vividly described. The giving of Rāma’s token, Hanumān’s speech with Sītā, the threats of the demonesses, and Trijaṭā’s prophetic dream were recounted. The giving of the jewel to Sītā, the breaking of the tree, the flight of the demonesses, and the destruction of the Kinkaras were all told. Hanumān’s capture, his roaring as Laṅkā was set ablaze, his return journey, and the taking of honey were included. The sage spoke of Hanumān consoling Rāghava, the handing over of the jewel, the meeting with the ocean, and the building of Nala’s bridge. The crossing of the ocean, the night siege of Laṅkā, the alliance with Vibhīṣaṇa, and the offering of means for victory were described. The destruction of Kumbhakarṇa, the defeat of Meghanāda, the annihilation of Rāvaṇa, and the recovery of Sītā in the city by the sea were all told. Vālmīki narrated the consecration of Vibhīṣaṇa, the sight of the Pushpaka chariot, the journey to Ayodhyā, and the meeting with Bharadvāja. He included the sending of Hanumān, the meeting with Bharata, the auspicious consecration of Rāma, the dismissal of all the armies, the rejoicing of his own kingdom, and the sending away of Vaidehī (Sītā). And whatever else concerning Rāma was yet to come upon the earth, the venerable sage Vālmīki composed in the later portion of his poem. Thus, the fourth sarga in the Bālakāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is completed. The venerable sage Vālmīki composed the entire story of Rāma, who had attained his kingdom, with wondrous words and meaning. The sage uttered twenty-four thousand verses, arranged in five hundred sargas, six kāṇḍas, and the Uttara (supplementary) section. Having completed that great work, including future events, the wise sage pondered, “Who indeed shall recite this?” He saw the two sons of the king, Kuśa and Lava, righteous and renowned brothers, endowed with melodious voices, dwelling in the hermitage. Seeing them intelligent and accomplished in the Vedas, the sage taught them the poem, for the sake of enhancing the Vedas. The vow-observing sage thus composed the entire Rāmāyaṇa, the great story of Sītā, and the destruction of the son of Pulastya (Rāvaṇa).