As the great battle had ended and peace returned to Lanka, Rama addressed Vibhīṣaṇa, praising his generosity, compassion, and mastery over his senses. “All approach you,” Rama said, “for you are a gatherer and kind to all. Therefore, I counsel you thus: O king of men, a ruler who lacks joy and harms others in battle is abandoned by his anxious army.” Vibhīṣaṇa, honoring Rama’s words, joyfully distributed jewels and treasures among all the monkeys who had fought so valiantly. Seeing the monkey leaders thus honored, Rama prepared to depart. He ascended the magnificent aerial chariot, taking Sītā, modest and noble-minded, onto his lap, and his brave brother Lakṣmaṇa, who bore the bow, by his side. Seated in the chariot, Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha, honored the monkeys, mighty Sugrīva, and Vibhīṣaṇa, expressing his gratitude. He addressed the foremost monkeys, saying, “You have fulfilled the duty of friendship; you are permitted by me to return as you wish.” Turning to Sugrīva, Rama said, “All you have done, my affectionate and well-wishing friend, was accomplished with righteousness. Quickly return to Kiṣkindhā with your own army. Vibhīṣaṇa, remain in your rule over Lanka, which I have given you. Even the gods with Indra cannot harm you.” Rama then declared, “I will go to Ayodhyā, my father’s royal city; I wish to take leave of you all and consult with you.” Hearing this, the monkey chiefs, all the monkeys, and Vibhīṣaṇa spoke with joined palms, expressing their desire: “We wish to go to Ayodhyā; let you lead us all. We are eager and will roam through forests and groves. O best of kings, seeing you moist with consecration and having greeted Kausalyā, we will soon return to our homes.” Thus addressed, Rama spoke warmly to the monkeys, Sugrīva, and Vibhīṣaṇa: “I have gained what is dearest beyond all dear things. Together with my friends, I will attain joy when I reach the city with all of you. Sugrīva, quickly ascend the chariot with the monkeys; you too, Vibhīṣaṇa, king of the rākṣasas, ascend with your ministers.” Sugrīva, together with the monkeys, joyfully boarded the divine Puṣpaka chariot. Vibhīṣaṇa and his ministers did likewise. When all had taken their seats, that supreme vehicle of Kubera, with Rama’s permission, soared into the sky. Mounted on the radiant, bird-drawn aerial chariot, Rama shone with delight and satisfaction, resembling Kubera himself. All the mighty monkeys, bears, and rākṣasas sat comfortably and without crowding in that celestial vehicle. With Rama’s blessing, the peerless, swan-drawn, thunderous chariot rose into the sky. Rama gazed all around and spoke to Sītā of lovely, moon-like face: “Behold, Vaidehī, Lanka, built by Viśvakarman, standing atop the Trikūṭa peak, resembling the summit of Kailāsa. See this battlefield, Sītā, thick with flesh and blood, the great slaughter of monkeys and rākṣasas. Here lies Ravana, lord of rākṣasas, granted boons, fierce in battle, slain by me for your sake, O wide-eyed one. “Here Kumbhakarṇa was slain, and Prahasta the night-wanderer; here too Dhumrākṣa was killed by Hanumān the monkey. Here Vidyunmālī was slain by the great-souled Suṣeṇa; here Lakṣmaṇa killed Indrajit, Ravana’s son, in battle. Here Aṅgada slew the rākṣasa named Vikaṭa; Virūpākṣa, Duṣprekṣa, Mahāpārśva, and Mahodara also fell. Here Akampana was slain, and other mighty rākṣasas; Triśiras, Atikāya, Devāntaka, and Narāntaka as well. Both Yuddhonmatta and Matta, foremost among rākṣasas, were killed; also Nikumbha and Kumbha, the powerful sons of Kumbhakarṇa. “Vajradaṃṣṭra and Daṃṣṭra, and many other rākṣasas were slain; the formidable Makarākṣa was struck down by me in battle. Here Akampana was slain, and the valiant Śoṇitākṣa; Yūpākṣa and Prajaṅgha too were killed in the great conflict. Here Vidyujjihva, the rākṣasa of terrifying appearance, was slain; Yajñaśatru and the mighty Suptaghna were also killed. The enemy of the Sun was slain, as was another, the enemy of Brahma; here, a woman named Mandodari, his wife, lamented him. “Surrounded by a full thousand co-wives, O beautiful-faced one, this holy place of the ocean is seen here. Here, having crossed the ocean, we spent that night; this is the bridge I built across the salty sea. For your sake, O wide-eyed one, Nala’s bridge, so difficult to accomplish, was made; behold the unshakable ocean, O Vaidehi, the abode of Varuna. See the ocean, roaring as if boundless, filled with conch shells and pearls; behold the golden-peaked mountain, O Maithili. For Hanuman’s rest, piercing the ocean, this camp was established in the belly of the sea.” Thus, soaring above Lanka and the ocean, Rama recounted to Sītā all the trials and triumphs of their journey, honoring the valor and sacrifice of his companions as they journeyed toward Ayodhyā, his father’s royal city.