Rama, accompanied by Guha, Lakshmana, and Sita, entered the forest, traversing many rivers whose waters flowed abundantly. Guided by the sage Bharadvaja, they arrived at Chitrakuta, where the three fashioned a pleasant dwelling and found joy amidst the beauty of the woods. Their days were spent happily, their lives resembling those of gods and gandharvas, even as Rama dwelled peacefully at Chitrakuta. Meanwhile, back in Ayodhya, King Dasharatha was overwhelmed by sorrow for his beloved son. Grief-stricken, Dasharatha departed from this world, ascending to heaven, his heart still lamenting for Rama. After the king’s passing, Bharata, though pressed by Vasishta and the foremost brahmins to accept the throne, did not desire to rule. Instead, that noble hero journeyed into the forest, seeking only the favor of Rama’s feet. Upon finding Rama, the great-souled prince steadfast in truth and valor, Bharata approached him with reverence and noble conduct. He earnestly urged Rama, saying, “You alone are the rightful king, the knower of righteousness.” Yet Rama, supremely generous and gracious, remained unwavering. In obedience to his father’s command, Rama refused the kingdom, entrusting his sandals again and again to Bharata as a symbol of rule. Rama, the elder brother, persuaded Bharata to return to Ayodhya. Though his wish to bring Rama back was unfulfilled, Bharata humbly touched Rama’s feet. In Nandigrama, Bharata—illustrious, truthful, and self-controlled—ruled the kingdom, awaiting Rama’s return. But Rama, sensing the approach of townspeople, focused his mind and entered the deeper Daṇḍaka forest. There, in the vast wilderness, the lotus-eyed Rama slew the fearsome demon Virādha and encountered the sage Śarabhaṅga. He also met Sutikṣṇa, Agastya, and Agastya’s brother, and by Agastya’s word, Rama received Indra’s bow. With delight, Rama was gifted a sword and inexhaustible quivers, and he dwelled among the forest-dwellers. All the sages approached him, seeking deliverance from the torment of demons and asuras. Rama promised them to destroy these evil beings, vowing to slay the demons in battle for the sake of the sages who, like fire, resided in the Daṇḍaka forest. While Rama dwelled there, the demoness Śūrpaṇakhā, who could assume any form, was disfigured; she lived in Janasthāna. At her instigation, all the demons—including Khara, Triśiras, and Dūṣaṇa—were roused to action. Rama slew them in battle, along with their followers, while living among the inhabitants of Janasthāna. Fourteen thousand demons were vanquished. Hearing of the slaughter of his kin, Rāvaṇa was seized by wrath. Seeking an ally, Rāvaṇa approached the demon Mārīca. Though Mārīca repeatedly tried to dissuade him, Rāvaṇa, impelled by fate, ignored his warnings. Mārīca warned, “It is not possible for you to oppose one so powerful,” but Rāvaṇa disregarded these words. Together, they went to Rama’s hermitage, and by their trickery, lured the two princes far away. Rāvaṇa abducted Sita, Rama’s wife, and in the process slew the noble vulture Jaṭāyu. When Rama and Lakshmana discovered the slain Jaṭāyu and learned of Sita’s abduction, Rāghava was tormented by grief and lamented, his senses disturbed. Overwhelmed by sorrow, he cremated Jaṭāyu. While searching for Sita in the forest, Rama encountered a fearsome and hideous demon named Kabandha. After slaying him, the mighty-armed Rama burned Kabandha’s body, and when the demon ascended to heaven, he told Rama about Shabari, the righteous ascetic. Kabandha advised, “Go to Shabari, who is devoted to righteousness and skilled in dharma.” So Rama, radiant and destroyer of enemies, went to Shabari. Honored properly by her, Rama, the son of Dasharatha, then met Hanuman, the vanara, on the bank of the Pampa lake. Through Hanuman’s words, Rama was introduced to Sugriva. The mighty Rama recounted all that had happened, especially regarding Sita, and Sugriva listened attentively to Rama’s story. A friendship was formed joyfully, with fire as witness. At Sugriva’s request, the tale of his enmity was recounted. Sugriva, sorrowful and affectionate, revealed everything to Rama, and Rama promised to slay Vali. Sugriva described Vali’s immense strength and remained doubtful of Rama’s prowess. To assure him, Sugriva showed Rama the mighty body of Dundubhi, which resembled a great mountain. The mighty-armed Rama, smiling, looked at it and, with his big toe, flung it a full ten yojanas. Again, with a single great arrow, he split seven sala trees, a mountain, and even pierced the underworld, inspiring Sugriva’s confidence. Pleased and trusting, Sugriva went with Rama to the cave of Kishkindha. The best of monkeys, Sugriva, golden-hued, roared loudly, and at that great sound, the lord of monkeys, Vali, emerged. Having taken counsel with Tara, Vali came to meet Sugriva, and there, Rama struck him down with a single arrow.