Viradha, the night-roaming demon, seized the two princes of the Raghu lineage—Rama and Lakshmana—and, with a terrible roar, placed them upon his shoulders. Carrying them, he strode straight into the depths of the forest. This forest was immense, as dark and vast as a thunderous rain cloud, filled with towering trees of many kinds. Birds flocked amidst the branches, auspicious creatures moved about, and wild beasts and serpents were scattered throughout its shadows. As Viradha bore the princes away, Sita, witnessing her beloved Rama and his brother Lakshmana being carried off, cried out in anguish. She clung to them, her voice ringing through the forest: “This is Rama, son of Dasharatha, truthful, virtuous, and pure, being carried away by a demon of dreadful form, along with Lakshmana! Tigers and leopards will devour me—release me, O best of Rakshasas! O Kakutsthas, I bow to you!” But the sons of Kakutstha did not remain helpless. Saumitri—Lakshmana—broke the demon’s left arm, while Rama forcefully shattered his right. With both arms broken, the demon, massive as a cloud, reeled and fell unconscious to the ground, like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt. Rama and Lakshmana struck him again and again with fists, arms, and feet, repeatedly raising and dashing him to the earth. Yet, despite being pierced by arrows, wounded by swords, and crushed in countless ways, Viradha did not die. He was invulnerable, unshakable as a mountain. Seeing this, Rama, the bringer of fearlessness in peril, spoke: “By ascetic power, O tiger among men, this demon cannot be conquered in battle by weapons. Let us bury him instead.” He instructed Lakshmana, “Dig a great pit in this forest for this fierce and mighty demon, whose form is like a terrible elephant.” Rama stood restraining Viradha, pressing his neck with his foot, while Lakshmana began to dig. Hearing Rama’s respectful words, the demon Viradha addressed him: “O tiger among men, I am slain by you, whose strength matches Indra’s. Before, out of delusion, I did not recognize you, O best of men. O Rama, son of Kausalya, truly virtuous, I now know you—and also the noble Vaidehi, Sita, and the illustrious Lakshmana. By a curse, I entered this dreadful demonic form; I am Tumburu, a Gandharva, cursed by Vaishravana. When I pleaded with him, the illustrious one said: ‘When Rama, son of Dasharatha, slays you in battle, then, regaining your own nature, you will go to heaven.’ Thus did King Vaishravana, attached to Rambha, speak. By your grace, I am released from this most terrible curse. I shall return to my own world; may you be blessed, scorcher of foes. Nearby dwells the righteous and mighty Sharabhanga. At a distance of half a yojana is the great sage, radiant as the sun; quickly go to him, for he will tell you what is best. O Rama, place me in the pit and go safely; this is the eternal law for the dead among demons. Those who are laid in a pit attain eternal worlds.” Having spoken thus, Viradha, afflicted by arrows, laid down his body and ascended to heaven. Rama then instructed Lakshmana, “Let a great pit be dug in this forest for this fierce demon, as one would for a wild elephant, for his cruel deeds.” Rama, strong and resolute, restrained Viradha by pressing his foot upon the demon’s neck as Lakshmana, taking a spade, dug a deep pit beside the fallen demon. Lifting Viradha, whose neck was freed, and whose ears were like conch-shells, they cast him—bellowing with a dreadful voice—into the pit. Rama and Lakshmana, steadfast and swift, hurled the terrifying, roaring demon into the pit on the battlefield, rejoicing as they did so. Understanding that Viradha could not be slain by sharp weapons, and remembering his own words about his wish for the end, they resolved to kill him in the pit. As Viradha was thrown in, the forest echoed with his cries. Joyful and freed from fear, Rama and Lakshmana covered Viradha with stones. Then, bearing their bows adorned with golden ornaments, and having slain the demon, the two brothers, accompanied by Maithili—Sita—moved about joyfully in the great forest, shining like the sun and moon in the sky. Having slain the mighty demon Viradha in the forest, Rama embraced Sita and comforted her. Then, Rama, radiant with splendor, spoke to Lakshmana: “This forest is harsh and difficult, and we are not accustomed to such wild places. Let us quickly approach the sage Sharabhanga, the possessor of ascetic wealth.” Thus, Raghava led them to the hermitage of Sharabhanga.