As the battle’s fury subsided, Viradha, pierced by Rama’s arrows and subdued by his might, addressed Rama with a tale of his own fate. He spoke of how he had once pleaded with the illustrious King Vaishravana, who, deeply attached to Rambha, pronounced a curse upon him: “When Rama, son of Dasharatha, slays you in battle, then, regaining your true form, you will ascend to heaven.” These words, given in anger and without being sought, had weighed heavily on Viradha. Yet now, by Rama’s grace, he found release from this most dreadful curse. With gratitude, Viradha declared, “I shall now return to my own world. May blessings be upon you, O scorcher of foes. Not far from here dwells the righteous and mighty sage Sharabhanga. At a distance of half a yojana, O dear one, is that great sage, radiant as the sun. Go to him quickly, for he will guide you to what is best.” Then, turning to Rama, Viradha said, “O Rama, place me in a pit and go safely on your way. This is the eternal law for the dead among demons: those who are laid in a pit attain the eternal worlds.” Having thus spoken to Kakutstha, Viradha, afflicted by Rama’s arrows, laid down his body and ascended to heaven. Hearing these words, 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, restrained Viradha by pressing his foot upon the demon’s neck as Lakshmana took a spade and dug a deep pit by Viradha’s side. Together, they lifted Viradha—his neck now freed, his ears like conch shells, and his voice mighty—and cast him, bellowing dreadfully, 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. They had seen that Viradha could not be slain by sharp weapons, and so, remembering his own words—that his death would not come by weapons and that he wished to be laid in a pit—they resolved to grant him release in this way. As they cast the powerful demon into the pit, his cries echoed through the forest. Rama and Lakshmana, appearing joyful and freed from fear, covered Viradha with stones and rejoiced in the great forest. Bearing their golden-ornamented bows and accompanied by Maithili, they moved about joyfully, shining like the sun and moon in the sky. Having thus slain the mighty Viradha, Rama embraced Sita and comforted her. He then spoke to his brother 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.” With this, Rama led the way to 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, 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 like the orb of the moon. He beheld a spotless parasol adorned with marvelous garlands and two excellent fly-whisks with golden handles, held by noble women and waved above the god’s head. Many Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and eminent sages were present, offering praise and adoration. The god, situated in the sky, was conversing with Sharabhanga, and Vāsava was also present. Seeing Śatakratu there, Rama spoke to Lakshmana, pointing out the wondrous chariot: “Behold, Lakshmana, that radiant, splendid, and marvelous chariot, shining like the sun, moving in the sky. Those horses of Puruhūta, which we have heard belong to Śakra, are surely the divine horses moving in the sky. And those tiger-like men who stand all around, hundreds upon hundreds, youthful, wearing earrings, and holding swords—all have broad chests and arms like iron bars, clothed in garments with red rays, fierce as tigers and hard to approach. On their chests are necklaces blazing like fire; they all appear, O Saumitri, as if twenty-five years old. This is ever the age of the gods, as these tiger-like men are seen, pleasing to behold.” “Remain here for a moment, Lakshmana, together with Vaidehī, until I clearly learn who this radiant one in the chariot is.” Thus instructing Saumitri to stay, Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha, proceeded toward Sharabhanga’s hermitage. As Rama approached, the lord of Śacī, having taken leave of Sharabhanga, spoke to the gods: “Rama is coming here, but until he speaks with me, lead me away to completion; then he is worthy to see me.