Rāma, his mind resolute, strung his bow and readied a mighty arrow. Anger burning within him, he addressed Jāmadagnya—Rāma, son of Jamadagni—who stood before him. “You are a Brāhmaṇa, worthy of my deepest reverence, just as Viśvāmitra is. Therefore, O Rāma, I cannot unleash this life-taking arrow against you. “Yet, listen: either I will destroy your path, O Rāma, or I will strike down the worlds you have won through your unrivaled asceticism. This is my firm resolve. For this divine arrow of Viṣṇu, O conqueror of cities, never falls in vain; by its very power, it crushes the pride born of strength.” At that moment, all the gods, accompanied by the hosts of sages and led by the Grandsire Brahmā himself, assembled to behold Rāma, the wielder of the supreme weapon. Alongside them gathered Gandharvas and Apsarases, Siddhas and Cāraṇas, Kinnaras and Yakṣas, Rākṣasas and Nāgas—all eager to witness this wondrous and momentous event. The entire world seemed to fall still as Rāma stood, bow in hand, radiating supreme energy. Jāmadagnya, overpowered and rendered helpless by Rāma’s brilliance, gazed at him with a sense of joy. The radiance of Rāma sapped Jāmadagnya’s vigor, leaving him inert, and in a gentle, subdued voice, he addressed Rāma, whose eyes resembled lotus petals. “Long ago, I gave the earth to Kāśyapa, and he instructed me that I must not dwell within my own domain. Obeying my teacher’s command, I have never stayed on earth at night, O descendant of Kakutstha, ever since that time, keeping Kāśyapa’s word. “O hero, do not destroy this path of mine, O Rāghava. I will swiftly depart to Mount Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. The worlds I have conquered through asceticism are unrivaled; let your foremost arrow strike them, so that the destined time of destruction may not arrive prematurely. “I know you, O Rāma, to be the undying slayer of Madhu, the lord of gods. By your mere touch of this bow, may all be well with you, O scorcher of foes. All these hosts of gods have assembled and are watching you, whose deeds are unmatched, who has no equal in battle. And let it not be a cause of shame for me, O descendant of Kakutstha, that I am turned away by you—the lord of the three worlds. “O Rāma, steadfast in your vows, release the peerless arrow. Once you have done so, I shall go to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains.” When the mighty Jāmadagnya had spoken thus, Rāma, son of Daśaratha, glorious and radiant, released the supreme arrow. Jāmadagnya watched as his own worlds, won through the power of his asceticism, were struck down by Rāma’s arrow. Then, swiftly, he departed for Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. With the act complete, all directions and quarters became clear once more. The gods and hosts of sages sang Rāma’s praises, marveling at the wielder of the mighty bow. Rāma, son of Daśaratha, was honored by Rāma, son of Jamadagni, who, after respectfully circumambulating him, departed along his own path. Now begins the seventy-seventh sarga. After Rāma, son of Jamadagni, had gone, the tranquil-minded Rāma, son of Daśaratha, renowned throughout the world, placed the great bow into the hands of the immeasurable Varuṇa. Then, bowing to the sages led by Vasiṣṭha, Rāma turned to his father, who stood nearby, troubled and anxious. He spoke to Daśaratha, the delight of the Raghu line: “Jāmadagnya Rāma has departed. Let the fourfold army now proceed towards Ayodhyā, protected by you, its sovereign.” Hearing these words, King Daśaratha embraced his beloved son Rāghava with both arms and kissed his head in joy. The king’s heart overflowed with happiness and relief upon hearing that Rāma had departed; in that moment, he felt as if both he and his son had been born anew. He ordered the army to advance and swiftly made his way to the city, which was adorned with banners and flags and echoed with the sound of drums and music. The royal road was sprinkled with water, made beautiful with heaps of flowers, and the townspeople, bearing auspicious offerings, greeted the king at the city’s entrance. The king entered Ayodhyā, filled and adorned with throngs of citizens, greeted from afar by Brahmins and townsfolk alike. Accompanied by his sons and glorious companions, the illustrious king entered his beloved palace, splendid as Mount Himavat. Within the palace, the king rejoiced with his people, honored and his every desire fulfilled. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the fair-waisted Kaikeyī also rejoiced, their hearts overflowing with happiness. Engaged in welcoming the brides, as were the other royal women, they received Sītā, greatly fortunate, and the illustrious Urmilā. The royal women also took in both daughters of Kuśadhvaja, adorning them with auspicious words and offerings, and clothing them in fine garments. All of them quickly worshipped at the shrines of the gods, and at that time, all the royal sons paid their respects to those worthy of honor. Joyful, all the women delighted in private with their husbands, their marriages accomplished, skilled in arms, possessing wealth and friends. The best of men, attentive to their father, served him with devotion. Then, after some time, King Daśaratha spoke to his son. He addressed Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, the delight of the Raghu line: “This is the son of the king of Kekaya, your maternal uncle Yudhājit, who has come to take you, dear son.” Hearing this from Daśaratha, Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, prepared to depart, accompanied by Shatrughna. After taking leave of his father and Rāma, the doer of untroubled deeds, Bharata and Shatrughna went to their mothers. Yudhājit, upon finding Bharata and Shatrughna, was filled with great delight.