As the story unfolds, we witness Hanuman giving Rama’s ring to Sita as a token of recognition, the discovery of the bear’s cave, the steadfast resolve to fast unto death, and the momentous meeting with Sampati. The journey continues with the ascent of the mighty mountain, Hanuman’s heroic leap across the ocean, the words spoken by the ocean itself, and the benevolent appearance of Mainaka, the golden mountain. On this path, Hanuman encounters and threatens the demoness Surasa, meets the shadow-grasping Simhika, whom he destroys, and then beholds both Lanka and the Malaya mountain. Entering Lanka by night, Hanuman reflects alone, makes his way to the drinking ground, and at last spies the guarded enclosure where Sita is held. He sees Ravana, the Pushpaka chariot, and enters the Ashoka grove, where his eyes finally rest upon Sita. Hanuman gives Sita the signet ring as a token from Rama, speaks words of comfort to her, witnesses the threats of the demonesses, and hears Trijata’s prophetic dream. He then gives Sita a jewel as a further token, breaks a tree in his might, causing the demonesses to flee, and destroys the Kinkaras who come to challenge him. Hanuman is eventually captured, but as Lanka is set ablaze, he roars in triumph, makes his return journey, and partakes of honey. He consoles Rama, gives him the jewel from Sita, and the company meets the ocean, where Nala constructs the great bridge. The army crosses the ocean, lays siege to Lanka by night, forms an alliance with Vibhishana, and discusses the means to slay their foes. The great battle ensues: Kumbhakarna is slain, Meghanada is defeated, Ravana is annihilated, and Sita is recovered from the city by the sea. Vibhishana is consecrated as king, the Pushpaka chariot is seen again, and the company journeys back to Ayodhya, where they meet the sage Bharadvaja. Hanuman is sent ahead, and soon Rama meets Bharata. The auspicious occasion of Rama’s consecration arrives, the assembled armies are dismissed, the kingdom rejoices in delight, and Vaidehī, Sita, is sent away. All other events concerning Rama that were yet to befall upon the earth, the venerable sage Valmiki composed in the later portion of his poem. This is the fourth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Valmiki. The venerable sage Valmiki composed the entire story of Rama—who had regained his kingdom—using wondrous words and profound meaning. The sage uttered twenty-four thousand verses, organized into five hundred sargas, six kāṇḍas, and the Uttara section. Having completed this great work, including what was yet to come, the wise sage pondered, “Who indeed shall recite this?” He saw the two sons of the king, Kuśa and Lava, righteous and renowned brothers, blessed with melodious voices, dwelling in the hermitage. Noting their intelligence and mastery of the Vedas, the sage taught them the poem, enhancing the Vedic tradition. The vow-observing sage composed the entire Rāmāyaṇa, the great story of Sita, and the destruction of the son of Pulastya. This poem, sweet to recite and to sing, was adorned with three measures, seven kinds of metres, and accompanied by string and rhythm. Filled with the sentiments of love, compassion, humor, fury, terror, heroism, and more, the two brothers sang it. Skilled in the science of music and the art of intonation and modulation, their melodious voices made them appear as incarnate Gandharvas. Endowed with beauty and auspicious marks, their speech was sweet, and they seemed like images sprung from the very body of Rama. Having mastered the entire noble and righteous narrative, the royal sons rendered the whole poem blamelessly. In gatherings of sages, twice-borns, and the virtuous, the two sang as instructed, with full concentration. Great-souled and greatly fortunate, adorned with all auspicious marks, the brothers at times sang among the assembled sages of purified minds. In the midst of the assembly, standing nearby, they sang this poem, moving all the sages to tears. Overcome with wonder, the sages exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!” and were filled with joy. They praised the two Kuśīlava singers, marveling at the sweetness of the song and the verses. Though these events had happened long ago, the brothers presented them as if unfolding before one’s very eyes, embodying the story in their song. Together, they sang sweetly, with passion and accomplished melody, earning the praise of the great sages renowned for their austerity. As the brothers sang with increasing passion and extraordinary sweetness, a delighted sage gave them a water pot. Another, famed and pleased, gave them bark garments; another offered a black antelope skin, and yet another a sacred thread. One sage gave a water vessel, another a girdle of muñja grass, another a staff, and yet another a loincloth. Another sage gave them an axe, while another offered ochre robes, and yet another a garment of bark. Filled with joy, one sage gave them a matted hair band and a wooden rope; another gave ritual vessels, and yet another a bundle of firewood. One presented a staff made of udumbara wood, while others offered blessings and words of long life. Thus, all the truth-speaking sages gave the brothers gifts, saying, “This wondrous tale has been proclaimed by the sage.