With Lakṣmaṇa, who was ever supportive, Rāma returned to his own city of Ayodhyā. There, he ruled the kingdom with wisdom and protected his people, aided by the gods and others. Under Rāma’s reign, dharma flourished; he performed great sacrifices, including the aśvamedha, and the earth herself rejoiced, content under his kingship. Sītā, though she once dwelled in the house of Rāvaṇa, never turned her heart or mind toward him. In her actions, thoughts, and words, she remained steadfastly devoted to Rāghava, her husband. Sītā’s devotion was as pure and unwavering as that of Anasūyā, famed for her fidelity. Now, listen to the greatness of a devoted wife. Once, in the city of Pratiṣṭhāna, lived a brāhmaṇa named Kauśika, who suffered from leprosy. Despite his affliction, his wife worshipped him as a god. Even when he reproached her, she continued to honor him as divine. At his command, she took a disliked woman and brought back extra payment, fulfilling his wishes without question. One night, as Kauśika carried his wife on his shoulder along the road, they encountered Māṇḍavya, a thief impaled on a stake in the darkness, suspected of theft. Accidentally, Kauśika brushed against Māṇḍavya’s feet. Māṇḍavya, angered by the touch, declared, “At sunrise, you shall die, for you have disturbed me with your foot.” Hearing this, Kauśika’s wife replied, “The sun will not rise.” Because the sun did not rise, night stretched on endlessly for many years, and the gods grew fearful. Seeking refuge in Brahmā, the Lotus-born, they were told, “Only ascetic heat can pacify ascetic heat.” The power of the devoted wife prevented the sun from rising, bringing darkness upon mortals and gods alike. To restore balance, they were advised to appease Anasūyā, the ascetic and devoted wife. The gods approached Anasūyā, and she, moved by their pleas, caused the sun to rise and revived her husband. In this, Anasūyā’s devotion surpassed even Sītā’s. Brahmā then spoke: “Now I shall recount the Rāmāyaṇa, which destroys sin, as I have heard it. From Viṣṇu’s navel was born Brahmā; his son was Marīci. From Marīci came Kaśyapa, then Rivi, and from Rivi, Manu. In Manu’s lineage was born Ikṣvāku, and from Ikṣvāku, King Raghu. Raghu’s son was Aja, and from Aja came Daśaratha, a mighty king with four sons of great strength and valor. Rāma was born to Kausalyā; Bharata to Kaikeyī; and Sumitrā bore Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. Rāma, devoted to his parents, received a collection of weapons from Viśvāmitra and slew the yakṣī Tāṭakā. At Viśvāmitra’s sacrifice, Rāma killed Subāhu, and later, at Janaka’s sacrifice, he married Jānakī (Sītā). Lakṣmaṇa married Ūrmilā, Bharata married Māṇḍavī, and Śatrughna married both Kīrtimatī and the daughter of Kuśadhvaja. Rāma and his brothers, along with their fathers, returned to Ayodhyā and dwelt there; meanwhile, Śatrughna and Bharata went to their maternal uncle Yudhājit. When they had departed, the excellent king Daśaratha prepared to bestow the kingdom. At Kaikeyī’s request, he intended the throne for her son, Bharata, and decreed that Rāma should spend fourteen years in the forest. For his father’s welfare, Rāma went into exile, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā. Renouncing the kingdom as if it were mere straw, Rāma journeyed to Śṛṅgaverapura, left his chariot behind, went to Prayāga, and then to the mountain Citrakūṭa. Separated from Rāma, King Daśaratha passed away and attained heaven. After performing the king’s rites, Bharata arrived with his forces and urged Rāma to return and rule Ayodhyā. Rāma, however, declined, entrusting his sandals to Bharata as a symbol of kingship. Bharata, dismissed, governed Rāma’s kingdom from Nandigrāma, devoted to his vows and never entering Ayodhyā itself. Rāma, departing from Citrakūṭa, visited the hermitage of Atri, bowed to Sutikshna and Agastya, and entered the Dandaka forest. There, the rakshasi Shurpanakha approached with hostile intent. Rāma, defending himself, cut off her ears and nose and drove her away. Prompted by Shurpanakha, Khara, Dushana, and Trishira arrived with an army of fourteen thousand rakshasas. Rāma, with his arrows, sent them to the city of Yama. Then, urged by the rakshasi, Rāvaṇa came to abduct Sītā. Rāvaṇa made Maricha assume the form of a deer and sent him ahead, holding three staffs. Sītā, captivated, urged Rāma to pursue the deer, and Rāma killed Maricha. As he was dying, Maricha cried out, “O Sita! O Lakshmana!” Sītā called for Lakṣmaṇa, who came, and Rāma saw him. The rakshasi used her magic, declaring, “Surely Sita has been abducted.” Seizing the opportunity, Rāvaṇa captured Janaki and carried her away. After slaying Jatayu, Rāvaṇa brought Sītā to Lanka, keeping her guarded beneath the shade of the Ashoka trees. Rāma arrived at the deserted leaf-hut, grieved for Janaki, and began searching for her. After performing rites for Jatayu as instructed, he journeyed south and formed a friendship with Sugriva. To prove his strength, Rāma pierced seven palm trees with a single arrow and struck down Vali, lord of the monkeys in Kishkindha. Rāma established Sugriva as king, remaining himself at Rishyamuka. Sugriva then sent forth monkey warriors, mighty as mountains, to search for Sītā.