Though the demon Viradha was struck by countless arrows and wounded by swords, battered and crushed upon the earth, he did not die. In the midst of this fierce battle, Rama observed Viradha, who stood invulnerable and unshakable, like a mighty mountain. Rama, the bringer of fearlessness in peril, spoke to Lakshmana, saying, “By ascetic power, this demon cannot be conquered in battle by weapons, O tiger among men. Let us bury him instead.” Rama then instructed Lakshmana, “Dig a great pit in this forest for this fierce and powerful demon, whose form resembles a terrible elephant.” Having spoken, Rama stood restraining Viradha, pressing his neck firmly with his foot. Hearing these respectful words from Rama, Viradha addressed him, “I am slain, O tiger among men, by you whose strength equals that of Indra. Earlier, out of 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 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.’ In anger, he spoke this to me, unapproached by me. Thus did King Vaishravana, attached to Rambha, speak. By your grace, I am released from this most terrible curse.” He continued, “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; 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.” With these words, Viradha, afflicted by arrows, laid down his body and attained heaven. Hearing this, Rama 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, full of strength, stood restraining Viradha by pressing his foot upon the demon’s neck, while Lakshmana took a spade and dug a deep pit beside Viradha. Lifting Viradha, whose neck was freed, with ears like conch-shells and a mighty roar, Rama and Lakshmana cast him, bellowing with a dreadful voice, into the pit. Steadfast and swift in action, the two brothers hurled the terrifying, roaring demon into the pit on the battlefield, rejoicing as they did so. Seeing that Viradha could not be slain by sharp weapons, Rama and Lakshmana, both highly skilled, resolved to end him in the pit, as Viradha himself had revealed his wish and the nature of his death. Hearing Viradha’s words, they decided to cast him into the pit, and as the powerful demon was thrown in, the forest resounded with his cries. Joyful and freed from fear, Rama and Lakshmana covered the demon with stones and rejoiced in the great forest. Then, bearing golden-ornamented bows and taking Sita with them, they moved about joyfully, shining like the sun and moon in the sky. Let the fifth canto now be heard. Having slain the mighty demon Viradha in the forest, Rama, the valiant one, embraced Sita and comforted her. Rama, of blazing 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, Rama led the way to Sharabhanga’s hermitage. Near Sharabhanga, whose soul was purified by asceticism and who possessed divine power, Rama saw a great and wondrous sight. He beheld the lord of the gods, radiant and adorned, wearing spotless garments, not touching the earth. The god, worshipped by many great souls, rode in a chariot drawn by green horses, moving through the sky. From a distance, Rama saw him shining like the rising sun, resembling a mass of white clouds and the orb of the moon. He saw a spotless parasol adorned with marvelous garlands, and two excellent fly-whisks with golden handles, of great value, held by noble women and waved above the god’s head. Many Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and eminent sages were present. The god, situated in the sky, was praised with excellent words and was conversing with Sharabhanga, along with Vāsava. Seeing Śatakratu there, Rama spoke to Lakshmana, pointing out the wondrous chariot to his brother, “Behold, Lakshmana, that radiant, splendid, and marvelous chariot, shining like the sun, moving in the sky.