Child Rāma stood with his people gathered before him, their faces filled with anticipation and longing. The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha gently spoke to him, “Child Rāma, see these people of the land who have come; know their wish and do not do anything displeasing to them.” Heeding the sage’s words, Rāma approached the assembled citizens, raised them up, and addressed them all with kindness: “What shall I do?” he asked, inviting their hearts to speak. The people, moved by love and devotion, replied as one: “Wherever you go, O Rāma, we will follow you. If you truly hold affection and supreme love for us, O descendant of Kakutstha, then let us, with our sons and wives, join you upon the righteous path. Whether it be forest, wilderness, river, or ocean, if you will not abandon us, O Lord, then lead us all. This is our highest joy, our greatest boon; our hearts’ constant delight is to follow you, O King.” Rāma, deeply touched by the steadfast devotion of his citizens, affirmed their wish, saying, “So be it.” He reflected upon his destined path and, without delay, prepared to fulfill his purpose that very day. With care and love, Rāma then enthroned his heroic sons: Kuśa was established as king in Kosala, and Lava in the northern lands. Drawing them close, Rāma embraced Kuśa and Lava, seating them upon his lap and showering their heads with affectionate kisses. To each, he bestowed thousands of chariots, tens of thousands of elephants, ten thousand horses, and abundant wealth. He sent Kuśa and Lava to their prosperous and thriving cities, filled with happiness and well-being. Having thus installed his sons and established them in their realms, Rāma dispatched messengers to summon the noble Śatrughna. And so ended that sarga in the glorious Uttarakāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. The messengers, swift and dutiful by Rāma’s command, journeyed without pause toward Madhurā. After three days and nights, they arrived and reported all that had transpired to Śatrughna: the departure of Lakṣmaṇa from this world, Rāma’s solemn vow, the consecration of Kuśa and Lava, and the unwavering devotion of the people who followed Rāma. They described how Rāma, full of wisdom, had founded the beautiful city of Kuśāvatī for Kuśa at the foot of the Vindhya mountains, and the lovely city of Śrāvastī for Lava. With Ayodhyā left deserted, both Rāma and Bharata, the mighty chariot-warriors, prepared to depart for heaven. Having delivered their message to the great-souled Śatrughna, the messengers finally rested and urged him, “Hurry, O King!” Hearing of the grave fate awaiting his lineage, Śatrughna gathered his citizens and the golden priest. He recounted all that had occurred and spoke of his own impending destiny, which he would share with his brothers. Then, the heroic king consecrated his own two sons: Subāhu was given Madhurā, and Śatrughati received Vaidiśa. Dividing the Madhurā army and assigning wealth accordingly, Śatrughna established his sons in their respective cities. He then placed Subāhu in Madhurā and Śatrughati in Vaideśa, and set out for Ayodhyā in a single chariot. On his journey, Śatrughna beheld the great-souled Rāma, radiant like blazing fire, clad in fine linen, surrounded by imperishable sages. With joined palms and senses controlled, Śatrughna approached Rāma, offering respectful greetings to the knower of dharma, his mind fixed on righteousness. He spoke: “O delight of the Raghus, having consecrated your two sons, know, O King, that I am resolved to follow you. Nothing else need be said, O hero, nor any command given; I wish only to be regarded by you as one like myself.” Recognizing Śatrughna’s unwavering resolve, Rāma, the joy of the Raghus, replied, “So be it.” As these words were spoken, hosts of vanaras who could assume any form, along with groups of bears and rākṣasas, assembled in great numbers, all led by Sugrīva. They came, desiring to see Rāma as he prepared to ascend to heaven. Sons of gods, sages, and gandharvas also gathered, aware of Rāma’s impending departure. The monkeys and rākṣasas approached Rāma, bowed in reverence, and declared, “O King, we have come, firmly resolved to follow you. If you, O Rāma, Best of Men, depart without us, it would be as if you had struck us down with Yama’s rod.” Hearing these words, Rāma, descendant of Kakutstha, smiled and replied, “So be it.” Meanwhile, the mighty Sugrīva approached Rāma, bowed according to custom, and made his request: “Having installed the valiant Aṅgada, O Lord of Men, I have come. Know, O King, that I am firmly resolved to follow you.” Hearing Sugrīva’s words, Rāma, best among those who delight, considered his friend’s loyalty and spoke: “Friend Sugrīva, listen: I would never go to the world of the gods or the supreme, great state without you.” Then Rāma turned to Bibhīṣaṇa, king of the rākṣasas, and addressed him: “As long as there are people, O Bibhīṣaṇa, you, mighty king of the rākṣasas, shall remain in Laṅkā.” Thus, with love, resolve, and righteousness, Rāma, his family, and his devoted companions prepared to fulfill their destinies, guided by dharma and the bonds of devotion that united them all.