Lakṣmaṇa, the heroic younger brother of Rāma, was wed to Ūrmilā, while Bharata married Māṇḍavī. Śatrughna took both Kīrtimatī and the daughter of Kuśadhvaja as his wives. After these auspicious marriages, Rāma and his brothers, accompanied by their fathers, journeyed to Ayodhyā and settled there. However, Śatrughna and Bharata soon departed to visit their maternal uncle, Yudhājit. In their absence, the noble king was prepared to bestow the kingdom, but, at the request of Kaikeyī, he resolved to grant it to her son. Thus, a fourteen-year exile in the forest was desired for Rāma. For the sake of his father’s honor, Rāma willingly set out, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā. He left the kingdom behind as if it were mere straw, journeying first to Śṛṅgaverapura. Leaving his chariot behind, he proceeded to Prayāga and then to the mountain of Citrakūṭa. The king, unable to bear separation from Rāma, departed from this world and attained heaven. Bharata, after performing the funeral rites, approached Rāma with a great retinue and pleaded with him to return and rule Ayodhyā. Rāma, steadfast in his vow, declined, but entrusted his sandals to Bharata as a symbol of his authority. Bharata, dismissed by Rāma, governed the kingdom on his behalf, residing in Nandigrāma, devoted to his vows, and refraining from entering Ayodhyā. Rāma, leaving Citrakūṭa, visited the hermitage of Atri, and after bowing to sages Sutikshna and Agastya, entered the Dandaka forest. There, the rakshasi Shurpanakha approached with hostile intent. Rāma cut off her ears and nose, driving her away. Incited by her, Khara, Dushana, and Trishira arrived with an army of fourteen thousand rakshasas. Rāma dispatched them to the city of Yama with his arrows. Then, at Shurpanakha’s urging, Ravana came with the intent to abduct Sītā. He made Maricha take the form of a deer, sending him ahead holding three staffs. At Sītā’s request, Rāma killed Maricha, who, as he lay dying, cried out, "O Sita! O Lakshmana!" Hearing Sītā’s call, Lakṣmaṇa returned, and Rāma saw him. Shurpanakha, using her magical powers, declared that Sītā had surely been abducted. Ravana seized the opportunity, captured Janaki, and carried her away. After slaying Jatayu, the mighty Ravana reached Lanka, where he kept Sītā guarded beneath the shade of the Ashoka trees. Rāma arrived to find the leaf-hut deserted and, grieving for Janaki, began his search. After performing rites for Jatayu as instructed, he journeyed south and formed a bond of friendship with Sugriva. To prove his strength, Rāma pierced seven palm trees with a single arrow and struck down Vali, the lord of the monkeys in Kishkindha. He established Sugriva as king and remained at Rishyamuka, while Sugriva dispatched mighty monkey warriors in all directions. The monkeys set out joyfully to search for Sītā, exploring the west, north, east, and finally gathering together. Those who searched in the southern direction traversed forests, mountains, islands, rivers, and riverbanks. Unable to find Janaki, they despaired, but upon hearing Sampati’s words, Hanuman, the monkey chief, understood the way. Hanuman leapt across the ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, and found Sītā in the Ashoka grove. She was threatened by rakshasis and Ravana, who demanded she become his wife, but Sītā thought only of Rāma. Hanuman gave her Rāma’s ring and comforted her, saying, "I am Rāma’s messenger; do not grieve, Maithili." Sītā gave Hanuman the jewel from her braid as a token for Rāma. She asked Hanuman to speak to Rāma in such a way that he would quickly rescue her. Hanuman promised, then destroyed the divine grove. After slaying Aksha and other rakshasas, Hanuman was captured. Bound by Indrajit’s arrows, he was brought before Ravana. Hanuman declared, "I am Rāma’s messenger; give Maithili to Rāma." Enraged, Ravana ordered Hanuman’s tail to be set aflame. The mighty monkey, his tail ablaze, burned Lanka and returned to Rāma. After eating fruit in the honey grove and seeing Sītā, Hanuman reported to Rāma and gave him the braid-jewel. Rāma then set out for the city of Lanka, accompanied by Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, Lakṣmaṇa, and Vibhīṣaṇa, who had sought refuge with Raghava. Rāma anointed Ravana’s brother as king of Lanka, and with Nala, built a bridge across the ocean and crossed it. Standing on Suvela mountain, Rāma saw the city of Lanka. The heroic monkeys—Nila, Angada, Nala, and others—along with Jambavan, Mainda, Dvivida, and the smoky-eyed rakshasa chiefs, began to destroy Lanka. Rāma, with Lakṣmaṇa and the monkeys, slew all the rakshasas of great size, black as heaps of coal. He killed Vidyujjihva, Dhūmrākṣa, Devāntaka, Narāntaka, Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, Atikāya, and other mighty warriors, as well as Kumbha, Nikumbha, Matta, Makarākṣa, Akampana, Prahasta the fierce warrior, and the mighty Kumbhakarna. Lakṣmaṇa struck Ravana with weapons, and the powerful Raghava cut off Ravana’s arms and felled him, thus ending the reign of the demon king.