As the flames consumed the immense body of Kabandha, it melted away like a great mass of clarified butter, the fire slowly devouring the fat. Then, in a wondrous transformation, Kabandha shook himself free from the funeral pyre. He rose up, shining like a smokeless fire, his garments now spotless and dustless, a divine garland adorning him, and his strength immense. Radiant and joyful, adorned with gleaming ornaments on every limb, he leapt swiftly from the pyre, his entire being aglow with delight. Standing resplendent in a celestial chariot yoked with swans, Kabandha’s brilliance illuminated all ten directions. From this splendid aerial vehicle, he addressed Rama as he moved through the sky: “Listen, Raghava, and I will tell you truly how you may recover Sita. “In this world, there are six means by which all things are considered; and when examined by the tenth part, it is served by the tenth portion. You, Rama, together with Lakshmana, have reached that tenth portion, which is lacking. Because of this deficiency, you have suffered misfortune and the outrage against your wife. “Therefore, you must act, O best of friends. Without action, I see no way for you to succeed, no matter how much I reflect. Hear me, Rama: there is a vanara named Sugriva, who was cast out by his own brother, the wrathful Vali, son of Indra. Sugriva dwells now, self-controlled and heroic, with four vanaras upon the noble mountain Rishyamuka, which shines near the borders of Pampā. “This king of the vanaras is of great valor and immeasurable brilliance. He is steadfast in truth, humble, resolute, wise, and noble. Skilled and bold, radiant and mighty in strength and prowess, he was exiled by his brother, the great-souled Vali, for the sake of the kingdom. “He will be your ally and friend in the search for Sita. Do not let your mind be troubled by grief, Rama. This must indeed come to pass, for time is difficult to overcome. Swiftly go to Sugriva, that mighty one, and make him your friend today, Raghava. “Approach him for friendship, as the fire blazes; do not disregard Sugriva, lord of the vanaras. He is grateful, able to assume any form, powerful, and seeking allies. 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. “The son of the Sun, wronged by Vali, now dwells on Rishyamuka, having set aside his weapons; he is a chief among monkeys. By your truth, Raghava, make that forest-dwelling monkey your friend, for he, the best among monkeys, knows every place in its entirety. In skill, he surpasses even those who eat human flesh; there is nothing in the world unknown to him. “As long as the thousand-rayed Sun blazes, he will search rivers, vast mountains, mountain-fortresses, and caves. Together with the monkeys, he will find your wife, and he will send forth mighty-bodied monkeys to search all directions for Sita, grieving in your absence. Sugriva will seek the noble Maithili even in Ravana’s abode. Even if your blameless beloved is 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 thus shown Rama the way to search for Sita, the wise Kabandha, understanding the matter, spoke again: “This, O Rama, is the auspicious path. See these blossoming trees, lovely to behold, all facing the west. Here grow Jambū, Priyāla, Jackfruit, Banyan, Fig, Tinduka, Peepal, Karnikāra, Mango, and other trees. There are also Nāga trees, Tilaka, Night-blooming Jasmine, Blue Ashoka, Kadamba, and flowering Oleander. The Ashoka trees are aflame with blossoms, and the Paribhadraka trees are deeply red. By climbing them or shaking them forcefully, you may bring down their nectar-like fruits and eat, then proceed onward. “Beyond that, O descendant of Kakutstha, lies another forest of blossoming trees, like the northern Kurava groves, resembling Nandana itself. There, as in the Caitraratha grove, all the seasons are present; the trees are heavy with fruit and their great canopies shine everywhere. Trees like rain clouds and mountains stand all around; by climbing them or shaking them, Lakshmana will offer you nectar-like fruits as you both wander from mountain to mountain, forest to forest. “Then, O heroes, you will reach the lotus pond called Pampā. It is free from gravel, undisturbed, level, and without reeds. Its sand is newly formed, and it is adorned with lotuses and water lilies. There, swans, diving birds, cranes, and curlews abound, O Raghava. With melodious voices, they sing in the waters of Pampā, unafraid of humans, for they are innocent of harm and auspicious. “You will eat those birds, large and resembling balls of clarified butter—red ones, those with curved beaks, and also the reed-dwelling fish, O Raghava.” Thus, Kabandha, now freed and radiant, guided Rama and Lakshmana with wisdom and compassion, pointing them toward their next hope: the friendship of Sugriva, the noble vanara, and the path through nature’s bounty toward the search for Sita.