From the very beginning, Rama recounted to Sugriva, the vanara chief, all that had happened—especially the story of Sita. Sugriva listened intently to Rama’s tale, and a deep friendship blossomed between them, joyfully sealed with fire as their witness. At Sugriva’s request, Rama then heard the tale of Sugriva’s own enmity and sorrow. With great affection and grief, Sugriva revealed everything to Rama, who, moved by his friend’s plight, promised to slay Vali, Sugriva’s powerful foe. Yet Sugriva, ever wary, described to Rama the immense strength of Vali, doubting whether Rama’s prowess could truly match it. To reassure Sugriva, Rama was shown the colossal body of Dundubhi, which resembled a great mountain. Smiling, the mighty-armed Rama glanced at it and, with just his big toe, flung it a full ten yojanas away. Then, with a single mighty arrow, Rama split seven sala trees, a mountain, and even pierced the underworld, dispelling all doubt from Sugriva’s heart. Now confident, Sugriva joyfully accompanied Rama to the cave of Kishkindha. There, the golden-hued Sugriva, best among monkeys, roared aloud. Hearing that tremendous sound, Vali, lord of the monkeys, emerged. After consulting with Tara, Vali confronted Sugriva, and in that battle, Rama struck Vali down with a single arrow. At Sugriva’s request, Rama restored him to his rightful kingdom after Vali’s defeat. The foremost vanaras then gathered all the monkeys and sent them out in every direction, eager to search for Sita, the daughter of Janaka. Guided by the words of the vulture Sampati, the mighty Hanuman leapt across the vast salt ocean, a hundred yojanas wide. There, in the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, Hanuman found Sita, lost in thought, sitting in the Ashoka grove. He presented her with Rama’s token, comforted the sorrowful Vaidehi, and shattered the gateway of Lanka. In his heroic rampage, Hanuman slew five commanders and seven sons of Ravana’s ministers, and crushed the valiant Aksha. At last, he was captured by the rakshasas. Yet, knowing himself protected by a boon from his grandfather, Hanuman endured their bonds, accepting his fate. Soon after, Hanuman set fire to Lanka, sparing only Maithili Sita, and then returned to Rama to bring the joyous news. Approaching the great-souled Rama, Hanuman circled him in reverence and faithfully announced, “Sita has been seen.” Rama, together with Sugriva, journeyed to the shore of the great ocean and, with arrows shining like the sun, agitated its waters. The lord of the ocean then appeared, and by his counsel, Nala constructed a bridge across the sea. Crossing by that bridge, Rama and his allies reached Lanka, where they slew Ravana in battle. Rama regained Sita, but was overcome with deep shame. In the assembly of people, Rama spoke harshly to her, and Sita, unable to bear the pain, entered the fire, remaining ever pure. By the testimony of Agni, the fire god, it was revealed that Sita was free from all sin. With this great deed, the three worlds and all beings were satisfied. The hosts of gods and sages rejoiced at the noble Raghava. Rama then crowned Vibhishana as king of the rakshasas in Lanka. His task accomplished and his sorrow ended, Rama rejoiced. Granted a boon by the gods, he revived the monkeys who had fallen in battle, and, surrounded by friends, set out for Ayodhya in the wondrous Pushpaka chariot. Arriving at Bharadvaja’s hermitage, Rama, steadfast in truth, sent Hanuman ahead to meet Bharata. After another conversation with Sugriva, Rama boarded the Pushpaka and journeyed to Nandigrama. There, shedding his matted hair, Rama, now pure, was reunited with his brothers and Sita, and reclaimed his kingdom. Under Rama’s rule, the people were joyful and content, prosperous and righteous, free from disease and illness, and without fear of famine. No parent would ever witness the death of a son, and women would always remain devoted to their husbands, never becoming widows. There was no fear from fire, nor would any creature drown in water; there was no fear from wind or fever, nor from hunger or thieves. Cities and kingdoms overflowed with wealth and grain. All were always joyful, as in the age of truth. Rama performed hundreds of horse sacrifices and gave away much gold. He gifted tens of millions of cows to the learned, according to proper rites, and immeasurable wealth to the Brahmins. The illustrious Raghava established royal lineages a hundredfold greater than before, and set the four classes of society firmly in their proper duties. After ruling for ten thousand and one hundred years, Rama departed for the world of Brahma. This sacred, sin-destroying, meritorious account, approved by the Vedas—whoever recites the story of Rama is freed from all sins. One who recites this life-giving Ramayana is honored in heaven after death, together with his sons, grandsons, and companions.