After constructing their simple forest dwelling, Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa were visited by Bharata, who had journeyed from Ayodhyā. Bharata pleaded with Rāma to return to the kingdom, but Rāma stood firm in his resolve. Together, they performed the water-offering for their departed father, Daśaratha. Rāma then consecrated his sandals, entrusting them to Bharata as a symbol of rightful rule, while Bharata took up residence at Nandigrama, vowing to rule only as Rāma’s regent. Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa pressed on to the dense Dandaka forest, where they encountered and slew the fearsome demon Virādha. Along their journey, they met the sage Sharabhanga and then the ascetic Sutikṣṇa. They heard the story of the virtuous Anasūyā, who gifted Sītā with fragrant ointment. Meeting the great sage Agastya, Rāma received a powerful bow. Soon after, they encountered the demoness Shūrpaṇakhā; her advances rebuffed, she was disfigured by Lakṣmaṇa. This led to the wrath of her kin: Khara and Trishiras, whom Rāma defeated. News of these events roused the mighty Rāvaṇa. In his scheme, the demon Mārīcha was slain, and Rāvaṇa abducted Sītā, carrying her away as Vaidehī wept. Rāma was plunged into grief. He mourned deeply, and soon encountered the dying king of vultures, Jaṭāyu, who told him of Sītā’s abduction before passing away. Pressing on, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa met the strange being Kabandha and then arrived at the serene Pampa lake. There, they met the devoted Shabarī, who offered them fruits and roots. Rāma’s sorrow continued at Pampa, but soon Hanumān appeared before them. Guided by Hanumān, they journeyed to Mount Rishyamūka and met Sugrīva. Trust and friendship blossomed between Rāma and Sugrīva, who sought Rāma’s help against his brother, Vāli. A fierce battle ensued. Vāli was defeated, Sugrīva restored to his throne, and Tara, Vāli’s wife, mourned her fallen husband. An alliance was sealed, and the rainy season was spent in waiting. As the rains ended, Rāma’s impatience grew. Armies of monkeys and bears were gathered and dispatched in all directions to search for Sītā, reporting their efforts to the earth itself. Hanumān received Rāma’s ring as a token for Sītā. The search party found the bear’s cave, and, despairing, resolved to fast unto death—until they met Sampāti, the mighty vulture. Encouraged, Hanumān ascended the mountain and leapt across the vast ocean. Along the way, the ocean deity spoke to him, and the golden mountain Maināka rose to offer rest. Hanumān threatened the demoness Simhikā, who tried to seize his shadow, and destroyed her. He then beheld the island of Laṅkā and the Malaya mountains. Entering Laṅkā by night, Hanumān reflected in solitude, then made his way to the water’s edge and saw the guarded enclosure where Sītā was held. He beheld Rāvaṇa, the Pushpaka chariot, and entered the Ashoka grove, where he finally saw Sītā. Hanumān gave Sītā Rāma’s signet ring as a token of recognition, spoke words of comfort, and witnessed the demoness Trijatā’s prophetic dream. He gave Sītā a precious jewel, broke a tree in defiance, scattered the demonesses, and destroyed the Kinkaras who tried to capture him. Hanumān was finally seized, but as his tail was set ablaze, he roared and set Laṅkā aflame before leaping back across the ocean, pausing only to partake of honey, and returned to Rāma. He consoled the grieving Rāma and handed over Sītā’s jewel. The army marched to the ocean, and, with Nala’s help, built a mighty bridge. Rāma and his allies crossed the sea, laid siege to Laṅkā by night, and made an alliance with Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāvaṇa’s righteous brother, who offered counsel for victory. In the great battle that followed, Kumbhakarṇa was destroyed, Meghanāda was defeated, and Rāvaṇa was annihilated. Sītā was recovered from the city of the sea. Vibhīṣaṇa was consecrated as king of Laṅkā. The Pushpaka chariot was brought forth, and the party journeyed back to Ayodhyā, meeting the sage Bharadvāja along the way. Hanumān was sent ahead to inform Bharata. At Ayodhyā, Rāma met his brother, and his glorious consecration as king was celebrated. The armies were graciously dismissed, the kingdom rejoiced, and Sītā, Vaidehī, was sent away. Whatever else befell Rāma on earth, the venerable sage Vālmīki composed in the later portion of his poem. Thus, the revered sage Vālmīki composed the entire wondrous story of Rāma, who at last attained his kingdom. With profound words and meaning, he set forth twenty-four thousand verses, five hundred sargas, six kāṇḍas, and the Uttara supplement. When his great work was complete, including all that was yet to come, the sage pondered: “Who shall recite this?” He saw the two sons of Rāma, Kuśa and Lava—righteous, renowned, and blessed with melodious voices—dwelling in the hermitage. Perceiving their intelligence and mastery of the Vedas, Vālmīki taught them the poem, to enhance the glory of the Vedas. The sage, steadfast in his vows, composed the Rāmāyaṇa, telling the great story of Sītā and the destruction of the son of Pulastya, Rāvaṇa. Sweet to recite and to sing, furnished with three measures and seven kinds of metres, accompanied by strings and rhythm, the poem was filled with every sentiment—love, compassion, humor, fury, terror, heroism, and more. Kuśa and Lava sang it. The two brothers, skilled in music and modulation, with melodious voices, appeared as if incarnate Gandharvas. Beautiful and auspicious, their voices sweet, they seemed like living images sprung from Rāma himself. Having mastered the entire noble and righteous narrative, they rendered the poem flawlessly. In gatherings of sages, twice-borns, and the virtuous, they sang as instructed, with full concentration. Great-souled and greatly fortunate, adorned with auspicious marks, the two brothers, in the midst of the assembled sages of purified minds, sang the poem. Hearing it, all the sages’ eyes brimmed with tears. Overcome with wonder and joy, the sages cried out, “Excellent! Excellent!” Their hearts, devoted to righteousness, were filled with delight.