The great king Daśaratha, his heart full of pride and affection, gazed upon Rāma and spoke in a voice resonant with blessing: “The deed is accomplished, your glory is renowned, and you have achieved what none else could, destroyer of enemies. May you, with your brothers, enjoy a long and prosperous reign.” Hearing his father’s words, Rāma, ever humble, joined his palms and replied, “O knower of dharma, grant your favor to Kaikeyī and to Bharata. Let the curse you once pronounced upon Kaikeyī—your vow to renounce her and her son—not fall upon them, O lord.” Daśaratha, moved by Rāma’s compassion, answered, “So be it,” and released Rāma from his concern. Embracing Lakṣmaṇa warmly, the king continued, “By serving Rāma faithfully, together with Sītā, you have given me immense joy and reaped the true fruit of dharma. Through your devotion, O knower of righteousness, you shall gain lasting fame on earth; with Rāma’s favor, heaven and supreme glory await you. Serve Rāma well, O increaser of Sumitrā’s joy, for he is ever devoted to the welfare of all beings. The three worlds—Indra, the perfected beings, and the supreme sages—all bow to this great-souled one and honor him as the best of men. This, indeed, is the unmanifest, imperishable teaching sanctioned by Brahman, the very heart of the gods, the supreme secret which Rāma, subduer of foes, possesses. Through your attentive service, together with Sītā, you have attained righteousness and undying fame.” Having thus spoken to Lakṣmaṇa, Daśaratha turned to Sītā, who stood with joined palms, and addressed her with gentle affection, calling her ‘daughter.’ “O Vaidehī, do not harbor anger for your abandonment; Rāma acted only for the sake of your purity, out of concern for your welfare. What you have endured is exceedingly difficult—your conduct sets a new standard, and your fame will surpass all other women. You need no instruction on service to your husband, yet I must remind you, for he is your highest divinity.” Having thus instructed his sons and Sītā, Daśaratha ascended to Indra’s world in a celestial chariot. The illustrious king, after bidding farewell to his sons and daughter-in-law, mounted the radiant chariot and departed for the realm of the foremost gods. Now begins the one hundred and twentieth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Yuddha Kāṇḍa. After Daśaratha’s departure, Mahendra, the mighty Indra and subduer of Pāka, addressed Rāghava with great delight as Rāma stood before him with joined palms. “O best of men, your presence never fails to bring us joy. Tell me, what is your heart’s desire?” Thus invited by the gracious, great-souled Mahendra, Rāghava, his mind filled with happiness, spoke joyfully: “If you are truly pleased with me, O lord of the gods, grant me this one wish, O keeper of vows. For my sake, let all the valiant ones who have journeyed to Yama’s abode—let every monkey who fell in battle—rise again. Those who were separated from their families because of me, I wish to see them all, joyful once more. Let the brave and heroic, who did not fear death and fell in battle, be revived, O Purandara. All who are devoted to my beloved ones have disregarded death itself; by your grace, let them be restored—this is the boon I seek. Let me see the monkeys and bears, healthy, uninjured, full of strength and valor. And let flowers, roots, and fruits appear out of season, and pure rivers flow wherever the monkeys dwell.” Hearing Rāma’s selfless request, Mahendra replied with affection, “O best of the Raghu lineage, the boon you seek is great; I have never granted such a wish twice before, but so it shall be. Let all who were slain in battle by the rākṣasas rise up, including the bears and monkeys whose bodies were wounded. They shall all awaken, healthy, uninjured, endowed with strength and valor, as if rising from sleep. They will be reunited with friends, relatives, and loved ones in supreme joy. Mighty archer, trees will bear flowers and fruits out of season, and the rivers will be filled with water.” At Indra’s command, the foremost monkeys, who had fallen in battle, first with bodies bearing wounds, now arose as if from slumber, their wounds healed, their strength and valor restored. Astonished, the monkeys wondered at this miracle, seeing Kākutstha’s purpose fulfilled and all the excellent gods assembled. Filled with supreme delight, the monkeys and bears praised Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and said, “O king, now return to Ayodhyā and dismiss the monkeys. Console Maithilī, your devoted and renowned wife. See your brother Bharata, who observes vows out of grief for you. See Śatrughna, the great-souled one, and all your mothers, O subduer of foes. Be anointed king and gladden the citizens upon your return.” Having spoken thus, Indra, the thousand-eyed, departed joyfully with Rāma and Saumitri, accompanied by the gods in chariots shining like the sun. Then Kākutstha, together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, greeted all those foremost gods and arranged for their lodging, fulfilling the duties of a gracious host even in the midst of divine happenings.