With powerful blows of their fists, arms, and feet, Rama and Lakshmana struck the demon Viradha again and again, lifting him and dashing him down upon the earth. Though his body was pierced by many arrows, wounded by swords, and crushed in countless ways against the ground, Viradha did not die. He stood before them, unshaken and invulnerable, like a mountain that cannot be moved. Observing this, Rama, the illustrious son of Dasharatha who inspires fearlessness in times of danger, spoke to Lakshmana: “By the power of his asceticism, this demon cannot be conquered in battle by weapons. Let us bury him instead.” He continued, “O Lakshmana, dig a great pit in this forest for this fierce and mighty demon, whose form is as terrifying as a wild elephant.” Having given this command, Rama restrained Viradha, pressing his foot firmly upon the demon’s neck while Lakshmana began to dig the pit as instructed. At that moment, Viradha, hearing Rama’s respectful words, addressed him: “O tiger among men, you whose strength is equal to Indra’s, I am now slain by you. But earlier, in my delusion, I did not recognize you, O best of men. Now I know you, Rama, son of Kausalya, truly virtuous, and also the noble Vaidehi and the illustrious Lakshmana.” Viradha then revealed his true nature: “By a curse I was cast into this dreadful demonic form. I am Tumburu, a Gandharva, cursed by Vaishravana. When I pleaded with him, he said, ‘When Rama, son of Dasharatha, slays you in battle, you shall regain your own nature and ascend to heaven.’ In anger, he spoke this to me, though I had not offended him. Thus did King Vaishravana, who is devoted to Rambha, declare my fate. By your grace, I am now released from this most terrible curse.” He continued, “I shall go to my own world. May you be blessed, O scorcher of foes. Nearby dwells the righteous and mighty Sharabhanga. At a distance of half a yojana, O dear one, is the great sage, radiant as the sun. Go quickly to him; 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, prepared to depart. The mighty demon, having laid down his body, attained heaven. Hearing all this, Rama instructed Lakshmana once more: “Let a great pit be dug in this forest for this fierce demon, as one would for a wild elephant, O Lakshmana, for his cruel deeds.” As Lakshmana dug the pit, Rama continued to restrain Viradha with his foot. When the pit was ready, Lakshmana, taking up a spade, dug it deep at the side of the great-souled Viradha. Then, lifting Viradha—whose neck was now freed and who bellowed with a dreadful voice—they cast him into the pit. The demon’s ears were like conch-shells and his roar echoed terribly. Rama and Lakshmana, steadfast and swift in action, hurled the terrifying, roaring demon into the pit, rejoicing as they did so. Seeing that the great demon could not be slain by sharp weapons, these two foremost of men, both highly skilled, resolved to end Viradha’s life in the pit, as the demon himself had revealed that his death would not come by weapons and had expressed his wish regarding his own end. As Viradha was thrown into the pit, the forest resounded with his cries. Rama and Lakshmana, now free from fear, rejoiced in the great forest. They covered the demon with stones and earth. Then, bearing their golden-ornamented bows and taking Sita with them, they moved about joyfully in the vast forest, shining like the sun and moon in the sky. Having slain the mighty Viradha, Rama embraced Sita and comforted her. Then, with blazing splendor, he 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, Rama set out for the hermitage of Sharabhanga. As they neared the sage, whose soul was purified by asceticism and who possessed divine power, Rama beheld a wondrous sight. He saw the lord of the gods, radiant and adorned, wearing spotless garments and not touching the earth. The god, worshipped by many great souls, was riding in a celestial chariot drawn by green horses, moving through the sky. From a distance, Rama saw this divine being, shining like the rising sun, resembling a mass of white clouds, and like the orb of the moon. A spotless parasol adorned with marvelous garlands was held above him, along with two excellent fly-whisks with golden handles, of great value, waved by noble women. Many Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and eminent sages were present, extolling the god with excellent words as he conversed with Sharabhanga and Vāsava in the sky. Seeing Śatakratu there, Rama pointed out the wondrous chariot to Lakshmana, marveling at the divine spectacle that unfolded before them.