With hearts open and fire as witness, Rama and Sugriva forged a joyful friendship. At Sugriva’s earnest request, he recounted to Rama the tale of his bitter enmity—his voice sorrowful yet filled with affection. Hearing all, Rama gave his solemn promise to slay Vali, Sugriva’s powerful adversary. Yet Sugriva, ever wary, doubted the measure of Rama’s strength. To assure Sugriva, Rama was shown the massive remains of Dundubhi, whose body lay like a great mountain. Smiling gently, Rama touched it with his big toe and sent it flying ten yojanas away. Then, with a single arrow, Rama split seven mighty sala trees, a mountain, and even pierced the underworld, thus filling Sugriva with confidence. Now trusting, Sugriva led Rama to the cave of Kishkindha. There, the golden-hued vanara king let out a thunderous roar, summoning Vali. Having consulted with Tara, Vali stepped forth to meet Sugriva. In that fateful battle, Rama struck Vali down with a single arrow, fulfilling his promise. At Sugriva’s request, Rama restored him to the kingdom. The foremost of vanaras then gathered their hosts and sent them to all corners of the earth, eager to find Janaka’s daughter, Sita. Guided by the words of the vulture Sampati, the mighty Hanuman leapt across the vast salt ocean, a hundred yojanas wide. Reaching the city of Lanka, ruled by Ravana, Hanuman found Sita, lost in thought, in the Ashoka grove. He gave her Rama’s token, comforted the sorrowful Vaidehi, and, in his might, shattered the gateway of Lanka. He slew five commanders, seven sons of ministers, and the valiant Aksha, but was at last captured. Knowing he would be freed by the boon of his grandfather, Hanuman patiently endured the rakshasas’ bonds, accepting destiny’s course. Then, burning Lanka—except for Sita—Hanuman returned to Rama, circled him in reverence, and joyfully declared, “Sita has been seen.” Together with Sugriva, Rama journeyed to the ocean’s shore and, with arrows shining like the sun, stirred the mighty sea. The lord of rivers appeared and, by his counsel, Nala constructed a bridge across the waters. Crossing this bridge, Rama and his allies reached Lanka, where Rama slew Ravana in battle and, reunited with Sita, was overcome with deep shame. In the assembly, Rama spoke harshly to Sita. Unable to bear such words, yet steadfast in her purity, Sita entered the fire. By the testimony of fire itself, she was shown to be free from sin. This great deed satisfied the three worlds and all beings. The hosts of gods and sages rejoiced in the righteousness of Rama. Rama then anointed Vibhishana as king of the rakshasas in Lanka. With his task complete and heart unburdened, Rama rejoiced. Granted a boon by the gods, he revived the vanaras and set out for Ayodhya in the celestial Pushpaka chariot, surrounded by friends. Arriving at Bharadvaja’s hermitage, Rama, true to his word, sent Hanuman ahead to Bharat. After further counsel with Sugriva, Rama boarded the Pushpaka and journeyed to Nandigrama. There, casting off his matted locks, he, pure and radiant, reclaimed Sita and the kingdom, joined by his brothers. The people of Ayodhya were filled with joy and delight—content, prosperous, righteous, and free from disease, fear, and famine. No parent would witness the death of a son; women would remain devoted to their husbands, never widowed. There was no fear from fire, drowning, wind, or fever; no hunger, no thieves, and the cities brimmed with wealth and grain. All lived in joy, as in the age of truth. Rama performed hundreds of horse sacrifices and gave away great treasures. He gifted tens of millions of cows to the learned and immeasurable wealth to the Brahmins. Raghava established royal lineages a hundredfold and set the four classes to their proper duties. After ruling for ten thousand and one hundred years, Rama departed to the world of Brahma. This sacred, sin-destroying, meritorious story—approved by the Vedas—frees from all sins whoever recites it. One who recites the life-giving story of Rama is honored in heaven after death, together with sons, grandsons, and companions. By reciting it, a Brahmin gains eloquence, a Kshatriya attains lordship, a merchant prospers in trade, and even a Shudra attains greatness. Thus ends the glorious tale of Rama, destroyer of sorrow and upholder of dharma, for the welfare of all the worlds.