Kabandha, the strange and mighty demon, spoke to Rama and Lakshmana in the depths of the forest. He told them, “If you cut off my arms in battle, then I will go to heaven. With this form, O best of kings, in this forest, whatever I see, I eagerly desire to seize. Surely, I think, Rama will come to seize me.” Holding firmly to his resolve, wearied from maintaining his monstrous body, Kabandha said, “You are Rama—blessings to you, Raghava. I cannot be slain by any other, and as the great sage has truly said, it is possible to slay me. I will offer my counsel and support, O best of men. I will also instruct you both in the rites of friendship, sanctified by fire.” Thus addressed, the righteous Rama spoke, with Lakshmana listening closely: “My illustrious wife Sita has been taken by Ravana. After leaving Janasthana with my brother, I know only the name of that rakshasa, not his form. We do not know his dwelling or his power; we are afflicted by grief, without support, wandering in distress.” Rama continued, “It is fitting to show compassion and render help to those who act thus, bringing dry wood broken by elephants at the proper time. We will burn you, O hero, in the great pit prepared; so tell us of Sita—by whom or where she was taken. Do a great good, if you truly know; reveal it.” Kabandha, mighty and skilled in speech, replied, “I do not possess divine knowledge, nor do I know Maithili. When I am burned and regain my true form, I will tell you who knows of her; I will reveal to you, Rama, that rakshasa who knows. While unburned, I do not have the power to know, O lord; but the mighty rakshasa who took your Sita—my great knowledge has been lost through the curse, O Raghava. By my own deed I have obtained this form, despised by the world. But before the weary sun sets, cast me into the pit and burn me, Rama, as is proper. Burned by you in the pit according to justice, O descendant of Raghu, I will tell you of the mighty hero who will find that rakshasa. You must make friendship with him, O Raghava, for he is righteous; O hero, he will devise swift aid for you. Nothing is unknown to him in all three worlds, O Raghava; surrounded by all beings, he once roamed for another reason.” Here ends the seventy-second sarga. Thus instructed by Kabandha, the two heroes, Rama and Lakshmana, approached the mountain cleft and kindled a fire. Lakshmana ignited the funeral pyre all around with blazing firebrands, and it burned brightly on every side. Kabandha’s great body, resembling a lump of clarified butter, was slowly consumed by the fire as the fat melted. Swiftly shaking off the pyre, Kabandha rose like a smokeless fire, wearing dustless garments and adorned with a divine garland, possessing immense strength. With speed, he leapt from the pyre, radiant and clad in spotless attire, delighted and adorned with ornaments on every limb. Standing in a splendid aerial chariot yoked with swans, renowned and of great brilliance, he illuminated all ten directions with his radiance. Now moving through the sky, Kabandha spoke to Rama: “Listen, Raghava, I will tell you truly how you will recover Sita. Rama, there are six means in the world by which everything is considered; after being examined by the tenth part, it is served by the tenth portion. You, Rama, together with Lakshmana, have reached the tenth portion, lacking; for this reason you have suffered misfortune, the outrage against your wife. Therefore, you must certainly act, O best of friends; without doing so, I do not see you attaining success, even as I reflect.” Kabandha continued, “Hear, Rama, I will tell you: Sugriva is the name of a vanara, cast out by his brother, the wrathful Vali, son of Indra. He dwells, self-controlled and heroic, with four vanaras, on the noble mountain Rishyamuka, which shines near the borders of Pampa. That king of the vanaras is of great valor, possessing immeasurable brilliance, steadfast in truth, humble, resolute, wise, and noble. Skilled, bold, radiant, and of mighty strength and prowess, he was exiled by his brother, the great-souled one, for the sake of the kingdom. He will be your ally and friend in the search for Sita; surely, Rama, do not let your mind be troubled by grief. This must indeed come to pass, and it cannot be otherwise here; O tiger among Ikshvakus, for time is difficult to overcome.” Kabandha urged, “Go swiftly from here, O hero, to Sugriva, that mighty one; make him your friend quickly, Raghava, by going today. Approach him for friendship, as the fire blazes; and do not disregard Sugriva, the lord of the vanaras. He is grateful, able to assume any form, seeking allies, and powerful; today you both are capable of accomplishing the task he desires. Whether he succeeds or fails, the son of the king of bears will do your bidding; he now wanders near Pampā, wary and alert.” Thus, Kabandha revealed the path forward to Rama and Lakshmana, guiding them toward Sugriva, the noble vanara, whose friendship would be the key to finding Sita and overcoming their sorrows.