Vali, having taken counsel with Tara, came forth to confront Sugriva. There, as the two vanara brothers met, Rama, standing steadfast by Sugriva’s side, struck down Vali with a single arrow. At Sugriva’s request, Rama, after slaying Vali in battle, restored Sugriva to his rightful kingdom. With the throne regained, the foremost of the vanaras assembled their mighty hosts, sending monkeys in all directions, eager to search for Janaka’s daughter, Sita. In the course of this search, it was by the words of the wise vulture Sampati that the mighty Hanuman learned of Sita’s whereabouts and, with a great leap, crossed the salt ocean a hundred yojanas wide. Reaching the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, Hanuman found Sita, lost in sorrowful thought, sitting in the Ashoka grove. He delivered to her Rama’s token of recognition, reported all the news, comforted Vaidehi, and then, in a display of strength, smashed the gateway to the city. In the ensuing battle, Hanuman slew five commanders and seven sons of Ravana’s ministers, and crushed the valiant prince Aksha. Eventually, however, he was captured by the rakshasas. Yet Hanuman, knowing himself protected by the boon of his grandfather, endured the rakshasas’ bonds as fate decreed. Soon after, he set Lanka ablaze—sparing only Maithili Sita—and then returned swiftly to bring Rama the glad tidings. Approaching the great-souled Rama, Hanuman circled him in reverence and faithfully reported, “Sita has been seen.” Then, together with Sugriva, Rama journeyed to the shore of the vast ocean and, with arrows shining like the sun, agitated the sea. The lord of rivers, the ocean himself, appeared, and at his word, the vanara Nala constructed a bridge across the waters. By that bridge, Rama and his allies reached Lanka. In the great battle that followed, Rama slew Ravana and, having regained Sita, was overcome with deep shame. In the assembly of people, Rama spoke harshly to Sita, and unable to bear the reproach, Sita entered the fire, remaining ever true. By the testimony of Agni, the fire-god, Sita was declared free from all sin. With this great deed, the three worlds and all beings were satisfied. The hosts of gods and sages rejoiced in the virtue of the great-souled Raghava. Rama then anointed Vibhishana as king of the rakshasas in Lanka, and, his purpose accomplished and heart free from sorrow, he rejoiced. Granted a boon by the gods, Rama revived the fallen monkeys and set out for Ayodhya, surrounded by friends, in the wondrous Pushpaka chariot. Arriving at Bharadvaja’s hermitage, Rama, steadfast in truth, sent Hanuman ahead to meet Bharata. After further counsel with Sugriva, Rama boarded the Pushpaka and proceeded to Nandigrama. There, in Nandigrama, Rama shed his matted locks, purified himself, and, together with his brothers, was reunited with Sita and reclaimed the kingdom. The people rejoiced, delighted and content, living in prosperity and righteousness, free from disease and fear of famine. No one would ever witness the death of a son, and women would remain devoted to their husbands, never becoming widows. There would be no fear from fire, nor would creatures drown in water; there would be no fear from wind or fever. Hunger and thieves would not trouble anyone; cities and kingdoms would overflow with wealth and grain. All would be joyful, as in the age of truth. Rama performed hundreds of horse sacrifices, gave away much gold, and bestowed tens of millions of cows to the learned according to the proper rites, as well as immeasurable wealth to the Brahmins. Raghava established royal lineages a hundredfold greater and set the four classes of society in their proper duties. After ruling for ten thousand and ten hundred years, Rama would depart for the world of Brahma. This sacred, sin-destroying, meritorious account, approved by the Vedas—whoever recites the story of Rama is freed from all sins. One who recites this life-giving Ramayana is honored in heaven after death, along with sons, grandsons, and companions. By reciting it, a Brahmin attains eloquence, a Kshatriya gains lordship over the earth, a merchant finds success in trade, and even a Shudra attains greatness. Now, the second chapter of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, is to be heard. Hearing these words of Narada, the virtuous Valmiki, skilled in speech, together with his disciples, honored the great sage. After a moment, when Narada had departed for the world of the gods, Valmiki went to the bank of the Tamasa, not far from the Jahnavi. Reaching the bank of the Tamasa, the sage saw a ford free from mud and spoke to his disciple standing nearby: “See, Bharadvaja, this ford is clear and delightful, with pure water, pleasing to the minds of good people. Set down the water pot, dear one, and give me my bark garment; I will bathe here at this excellent ford of the Tamasa.” Thus addressed, Bharadvaja, disciplined and attentive, handed his teacher the bark garment. Taking it from his disciple’s hand, Valmiki, self-controlled, wandered about, observing the vast forest in every direction.