Having received a wondrous and supreme boon from the gods, the mighty asura Madhu—foremost among his kind—caused a splendid and resplendent palace to be built. His wife, greatly fortunate and beloved, was Kumbhīnasī, the illustrious daughter of Viśvāvasu and the radiant Analā. Their son was Lavaṇa, fierce and mighty from birth. Yet, even as a child, Lavaṇa’s nature was wicked; he delighted always in evil deeds. Madhu, seeing his son’s undisciplined and malevolent ways, was overcome with anger and sorrow. In his grief, he chose not to speak a word to Lavaṇa. Instead, Madhu abandoned this world and entered the abode of Varuṇa, entrusting to Lavaṇa a powerful spear and granting him a boon. Empowered by the might of this spear and his own wickedness, Lavaṇa began to torment the three worlds, causing especial suffering to the ascetics. Such is the power of Lavaṇa and the terrible nature of his spear. Having recounted this tale, the sages addressed Rāma, descendant of Kakutstha: “O Rāma, you are our supreme refuge. Many times, terrified sages have pleaded with kings for protection, but, O hero, none have been able to save us. Now that we have heard of Rāvaṇa’s destruction at your hands, we know you alone as the protector of men on earth. Therefore, we beseech you—deliver us from our fear of Lavaṇa. Thus, O Rāma, we have laid before you the cause of our fear. Only you can remove it; fulfill this wish with your heroic might.” Thus concludes the sixty-first sarga of the Uttarakāṇḍa in the revered Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. Hearing their plea, Rāma, with hands respectfully joined, addressed the sages: “What does Lavaṇa eat? What are his ways? Where does he dwell?” In reply, the sages began to recount how Lavaṇa had grown. “His food is all living beings, especially ascetics. His conduct is ever cruel, and he dwells in Madhuvana. He has slain countless lions, tigers, deer, elephants, and humans, making them his daily food. Thereafter, he devours all other creatures in his path, and when destruction is near, he appears like Death itself, mouth agape.” Hearing this, Rāma assured the sages: “I will slay that rākṣasa; let your fear depart.” With this pledge, Rāma, scion of Raghu, turned to his brothers and addressed them together: “Who among you will slay Lavaṇa, the valiant one? Shall this task be given to mighty-armed Bharata or to wise Shatrughna?” Bharata, when addressed thus, spoke up: “I will kill him; let this task be given to me.” But then Shatrughna, the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa, rose from his golden seat, having completed his duties. Bowing before Rāma, he spoke with humility: “O noble one, in former times, you protected Ayodhyā while it was empty, bearing sorrow in your heart, awaiting your elder’s return. You endured many hardships, lying on beds of suffering, dwelling in Nandigrāma, living on fruits and roots, wearing matted hair and bark garments. All this you endured, O son of Raghu. If I remain as your servant, O king, may you never again encounter such hardship.” As Shatrughna spoke thus, Rāma replied: “So be it, descendant of Kakutstha; let my command be carried out. I will anoint you as king in the auspicious city of Madhurā. Brave one, settle Bharata there if you so desire. You are accomplished in knowledge and capable of establishing this settlement. For he who, having uprooted the enemy and restored the king’s realm, does not install a ruler there, surely goes to hell. Therefore, after slaying Lavaṇa, rule the kingdom righteously, if you heed my words. No further word should be spoken, O hero, in response to my command; the younger must obey the elder’s order—of this there is no doubt. Accept the consecration, O descendant of Kakutstha, which I have prepared for you, performed according to ritual and mantra by Vasiṣṭha and the foremost Brahmins.” Thus ends the sixty-second sarga of the Uttarakāṇḍa in the sacred Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. Hearing Rāma’s words, the valorous Shatrughna felt deep embarrassment and spoke softly and slowly: “O descendant of Kakutstha, we know this is not in accordance with righteousness—how can the younger be anointed while the elders are present? Yet your command must be carried out, O best of men, for your word is not to be transgressed. I have heard from you and from the scriptures; I must speak no further, for the middle one has pledged himself. I have uttered harsh and dreadful words: I will slay Lavaṇa in battle. For such harsh speech, O best among men, misfortune is mine. A reply should not be spoken again when the elder has already spoken; it is unrighteous and brings no merit in the next world. Therefore, O descendant of Kakutstha, I will not speak a second reply to you; let not a second punishment fall upon me, O upholder of honor.” Thus concludes the sixty-third sarga of the Uttarakāṇḍa in the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa, composed by the sage Vālmīki.