At Sugriva’s earnest plea, Rama slew Vali in battle and restored Sugriva to his rightful place as king. Sugriva, now ruler, gathered the foremost vanaras and sent them out in all directions, eager to find Janaka’s daughter, Sita. Guided by the words of the wise vulture Sampati, the mighty Hanuman leapt across the vast salt ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, reaching the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana. There, Hanuman found Sita deep in thought within the Ashoka grove. He conveyed Rama’s token of recognition, shared news of hope, comforted Vaidehi, and crushed the gateway of Lanka. In a fierce battle, Hanuman slew five commanders, seven sons of Ravana’s ministers, and the valiant Aksha, but was eventually captured. Knowing he was protected by his grandfather’s boon, Hanuman endured the rakshasas’ bindings, accepting his fate. Soon, Hanuman burned the city of Lanka, sparing only Maithili Sita, and returned to Rama to share the good news. He approached Rama, circled him reverently, and faithfully reported, “Sita has been seen.” Together with Sugriva, Rama journeyed to the shore of the great ocean and agitated its waters with arrows shining like the sun. The lord of rivers, the ocean, revealed himself, and at his word, Nala constructed a bridge. By that bridge, Rama and his allies reached Lanka, where Rama slew Ravana in battle. Having regained Sita, Rama was overcome with deep shame. In the assembly, Rama spoke harshly to Sita, and unable to bear his words, Sita entered the fire, remaining true. By the testimony of fire, Sita was revealed to be free from sin, and with this great deed, the three worlds and all beings were satisfied. The hosts of gods and sages rejoiced, pleased with the great-souled Raghava. Rama anointed Vibhishana as king of the rakshasas in Lanka. With his task accomplished and free from sorrow, Rama rejoiced. Blessed by the gods, Rama revived the fallen monkeys and set out for Ayodhya, surrounded by friends, in the Pushpaka chariot. Arriving at Bharadvaja’s hermitage, Rama, steadfast in truth, sent Hanuman to Bharat. After conversing again with Sugriva, Rama boarded the Pushpaka and went to Nandigrama. There, shedding his matted hair, Rama, pure, together with his brothers, regained Sita and reclaimed the kingdom. The people were joyful and delighted, content, prosperous, righteous, free from disease and illness, and without fear of famine. No one would witness the death of a son, and women would always remain devoted to their husbands, never becoming widows. There would be no fear from fire, no creatures would drown in water, nor would there be fear from wind or fever. Hunger and thieves would not trouble the land; cities and kingdoms would be filled with wealth and grain. All would always be joyful, as in the age of truth. Rama performed hundreds of horse sacrifices and gave much gold. He gifted tens of millions of cows to the learned according to proper rites, and immeasurable wealth to the Brahmins. Raghava established royal lineages a hundredfold greater, setting the four classes in the world to their own duties. After ruling for ten thousand and ten hundred years, Rama would depart to 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 attains lordship over the earth; a merchant attains success in trade; and even a Shudra attains greatness. Now, the second chapter in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, the Balakanda, is to be heard. Hearing Narada’s words, the virtuous one, skilled in speech, together with his disciples, honored the great sage. After a moment, when Narada had departed to the world of the gods, Valmiki went to the bank of the Tamasā, not far from the Jahnavī. Reaching the bank, the sage saw the ford free of mud and spoke to his disciple standing nearby, “See, Bharadvāja, this ford is free from mud, delightful, with clear water, pleasing to the minds of good people. Let the water pot be set down, dear one, and give me my bark garment; I will bathe here at this excellent ford of the Tamasā.” Thus addressed, Bharadvāja, disciplined, handed his teacher the bark garment. Taking the garment from his disciple’s hand, self-controlled, Valmiki wandered about, observing the vast forest in every direction. Nearby, he saw a pair of krauñcha birds moving together, inseparable, their calls sweet and lovely.