“O Rāma of steadfast resolve,” spoke the mighty Jāmadagnya, “release your peerless arrow. Once you have done so, I will depart to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains.” Hearing these words, Rāma, son of Daśaratha, glorious and unwavering, took up the supreme arrow and loosed it with purpose. As the arrow flew, Jāmadagnya beheld his own worlds—those he had won through asceticism—struck down by Rāma’s power. Without hesitation, he turned and swiftly made his way to the heights of Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. In that moment, all the directions and quarters of the earth became clear; the gods and hosts of sages rejoiced and praised Rāma, the wielder of the mighty bow. Rāma, son of Daśaratha, was honored by Rāma, son of Jamadagni. After respectfully circumambulating him, the lord departed on his own path, leaving peace in his wake. Now begins the seventy-seventh sarga—listen to what unfolded next. After Jāmadagnya Rāma had departed, the tranquil-minded Rāma, radiant with fame, placed the great bow into the hands of the immeasurable Varuṇa. Then, bowing humbly to the sages led by Vasiṣṭha, he turned and saw his father, King Daśaratha, distressed. With gentle words, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu line, sought to reassure him: “Jāmadagnya Rāma has gone. Let the fourfold army now proceed toward Ayodhyā, protected by you as its lord.” Hearing these words, King Daśaratha embraced his beloved son Rāghava with both arms and kissed his head. Joy and relief flooded the king’s heart; hearing that the formidable Rāma had departed, he felt as if he and his son had been born anew. Without delay, Daśaratha ordered the army to advance and returned swiftly to his city, now beautiful with banners and flags, resounding with the joyous noise of drums and musical instruments. The royal road was sprinkled with water and strewn with heaps of flowers, and the townspeople, bearing auspicious offerings, greeted the king at the city’s entrance. Entering the city, filled and adorned with crowds of people, Daśaratha was welcomed from afar by citizens, Brahmins, and city dwellers. Accompanied by his sons and glorious companions, the illustrious king entered his beloved palace, splendid as Mount Himavat. Within the palace, the king rejoiced among his people, honored and with every desire fulfilled. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the fair-waisted Kaikeyī also rejoiced. The royal women, engaged in welcoming the brides, received Sītā, greatly fortunate, and the illustrious Urmilā, as well as both daughters of Kuśadhvaja, all adorned with auspicious words and offerings, clad in fine garments. Quickly, all of them worshipped at the shrines of the gods, and at that time, all the royal sons paid respects to those worthy of honor. All the women, joyful and delighted in private with their husbands, rejoiced in the accomplishment of marriage, each skilled in arms and blessed with wealth and friends. The best of men, ever attentive to their father, served him with devotion. After some time, King Daśaratha spoke to his son Bharata, son of Kaikeyī and delight of the Raghu line: “Your heroic maternal uncle, Yudhājit, son of the king of Kekaya, has come to take you, dear son.” Hearing this, Bharata, accompanied by Shatrughna, prepared to depart, taking leave of his father and Rāma, ever steadfast in his deeds. Along with Shatrughna, Bharata went to see his mothers. Yudhājit, upon finding Bharata and Shatrughna, was greatly delighted. The hero entered his own city, and his father was pleased. With Bharata departed, Rāma and mighty Lakṣmaṇa remained in Ayodhyā. At that time, they honored their father, who was like a god to them, placing his commands foremost and carrying out all the duties of the citizens. Rāma performed all that was pleasing and beneficial, fulfilling his duties toward his mothers with utmost restraint. He attended to the needs of his teachers at the proper times. Thus, Daśaratha was pleased, as were the Brahmins and townsfolk. Because of Rāma’s noble character and conduct, all the people of the realm were delighted. Rāma, steadfast in truth and valor, became renowned among them. He became the most virtuous among beings, like the self-born creator himself. Together with Sītā, he enjoyed many seasons, his mind always thoughtful and fixed upon her, and she held a special place in his heart. Sītā, dear to Rāma, was the wife chosen for him by his father. Because of her virtues and beauty, their affection grew ever stronger, and her husband occupied a place twice as great in her heart. Even the unspoken was understood between them, as heart spoke to heart. Especially to him, Sītā, the Maithili, daughter of Janaka, equal to the gods in form and radiant like fortune herself, was a source of joy. United with the noble princess, the royal sage’s son, filled with desire, shone greatly—Rāma, radiant with joy, like Viṣṇu, lord of immortals, radiant with fortune. Now begins the next chapter. Bharata, staying in his uncle’s city with his brother Shatrughna, was honored and cherished by his maternal uncle, the lord of horses, with the affection of a son. While residing there, the two brothers were freely gratified, yet they often remembered their aged father, King Daśaratha. The mighty king too, radiant in splendor, remembered his sons Bharata and Shatrughna, who were far away, and thought of them as equal to Indra and Varuṇa. All four of his sons, the best among men, were dear to him—as if they were four arms sprung from his own body.