With steady hands, Lakshmana gathered blazing firebrands and set the funeral pyre alight from all sides. The flames leapt high, burning brightly and fiercely, consuming the great body of Kabandha—a form vast and glistening, like a mound of clarified butter melting away as the fire’s heat drew out the fat. As the pyre did its work, a wondrous transformation occurred: from the heart of the flames, Kabandha emerged, shaking off the fire as if it were nothing. He rose up, his garments now spotless and free of dust, adorned with a divine garland and radiant ornaments on every limb. No longer monstrous, he shone with immense strength and joy, his form glowing like a smokeless fire. Before the astonished eyes of Rama and Lakshmana, Kabandha ascended into a resplendent aerial chariot, yoked to graceful swans. From this celestial vehicle, his brilliance illuminated all ten directions, filling the forest with light. Moving through the sky, Kabandha addressed Rama with gentle urgency: “Listen, Raghava, and I will truly tell you how you may recover Sita.” He spoke of the ways of the world, explaining that there are six means by which all matters are considered, and that, when examined by the tenth part, they are served by the tenth portion. “You and Lakshmana,” he said, “have reached this tenth portion—lacking and incomplete. Because of this, misfortune has befallen you, and Sita has been taken. Therefore, you must act, dear friend; without action, I see no path to success, no matter how I reflect.” Kabandha continued, “Hear me, Rama. There is a vanara named Sugriva, cast out by his own brother, the wrathful Vali, son of Indra. Sugriva now dwells with four vanaras on the noble mountain Rishyamuka, near the borders of the shimmering Pampā. This vanara king is of great valor and immeasurable brilliance—steadfast in truth, humble, resolute, wise, and noble. Though exiled for the sake of the kingdom, he remains skilled, bold, and radiant, his strength and prowess undiminished.” “He will become your ally and friend in the search for Sita. Do not let your mind be troubled by grief, Rama, for this alliance must come to pass—it is destined, and time itself cannot be overcome. Go swiftly to Sugriva, make him your friend today. Approach him as the fire blazes, and do not disregard Sugriva, lord of the vanaras. He is grateful, powerful, and able to assume any form; he seeks allies, and together you will be capable of fulfilling each other’s desires.” Kabandha described Sugriva further: “Whether he succeeds or fails, the son of the king of bears will do your bidding. He now wanders near Pampā, wary and alert. The son of the Sun, wronged by Vali, lives on Rishyamuka, having set aside his weapons. He is a chief among monkeys. By your truth, Rama, make this forest-dwelling monkey your friend. He knows every place in its entirety, surpassing even those who eat human flesh in skill; there is nothing in this world unknown to him.” Kabandha assured Rama, “As long as the thousand-rayed Sun blazes, Sugriva will search rivers, vast mountains, mountain-fortresses, and caves. With his monkey hosts, he will find your wife. He will send forth mighty-bodied monkeys in all directions to seek Sita, grieving in your absence, even into the abode of Ravana. Should your blameless beloved be atop Mount Meru or hidden in the depths of the underworld, the bull among monkeys will slay the demons and restore her to you.” Having shown Rama the way to search for Sita, Kabandha, wise and understanding, spoke again: “This, O Rama, is the auspicious path. See how these blossoming trees, lovely to behold, stand facing the west. Here grow Jambū, Priyāla, Jackfruit, Banyan, Fig, Tinduka, Peepal, Karnikāra, Mango, and many other trees, their branches heavy with fruit. You will also find Nāga trees, Tilaka, Night-blooming Jasmine, Blue Ashoka, Kadamba, and flowering Oleander. The flaming Ashoka and deeply red Paribhadraka trees stand tall. By climbing them or shaking them forcefully, you may gather their nectar-like fruits to eat before continuing onward.” He guided them further: “Beyond this forest lies another, filled with blossoming trees, like the groves of northern Kurava, resembling Nandana itself. There, as in the Caitraratha grove, all the seasons are present at once. Trees heavy with fruit and great canopies shine everywhere, some resembling rain clouds and mountains. By climbing these or shaking them, Lakshmana will offer you fruits that taste like nectar as you journey from mountain to mountain, forest to forest.” Kabandha then described their next destination: “You will come, O heroes, to the lotus pond called Pampā. Its waters are clear and level, undisturbed by gravel or reeds. The sand is newly formed and the banks are adorned with blooming lotuses and water lilies. There, swans, diving birds, cranes, and curlews make their home, their melodious voices filling the air. These gentle birds, innocent and auspicious, do not fear humans when seen.” Thus, with warmth and reverence, Kabandha revealed the path ahead, guiding Rama and Lakshmana toward their destined alliance with Sugriva, and onward in their search for Sita.