(The demons bid defiance to one another, shouting, ‘Kill him! He is Rama!’) Thus crying, ‘Rama! Rama!’, they left their bodies and attained beatitude (kaivalya-moksha or final emancipation). By this means the compassionate Lord slew the enemy in an instant.

The gods in their exultation rained down flowers, and kettle-drums sounded in the heavens. Then hymning their praises of the Lord, they all departed, resplendent in their celestial cars.

When Raghunatha had vanquished the foe in battle the gods, men and sages were all rid of fear. Then Lakshmana brought Sita back, and as he fell at his feet, the Lord rapturously took him to his heart.

Sita fixed her gaze on his dark-hued, delicate body with utmost affection, but her eyes knew no satiety. Staying at Panchavati, the blessed Raghunatha performed deeds that gladdened gods and sages.

Perceiving the destruction of Khara and Dushana, Shurpanakha went to incite Ravana. In a furious rage she cried, ‘You have lost all thought of land and treasure;

- day and night you drink and sleep and take no heed of the enemy, who is now at your very door. Sovereignty without statecraft, wealth divorced from virtue, noble deeds not dedicated to Hari (God), and learning that begets not discernment – these all bring no fruit but toil to the student, the doer or the possessor. A recluse is swiftly undone by attachment, a king by evil counsel, wisdom by conceit, modesty by drinking,

- love by conceit and a man of merit by vanity; such is the maxim I have heard.