16. Rāvaṇa Talks Harshly to Vibhīṣaṇa [Rāvaṇa shouts at Vibhīṣaṇa and calls him as a traitor. Unable to tolerate this Vibhīṣaṇa decides to desert him.] Hearing the words of Vibhīṣaṇa which were stable, suitable and aimed at welfare, Rāvaṇa driven by the God of death spoke these harsh words. 16.1 "One can live with an enemy and even a very

17. Vibhīṣaṇa Seeks Protection [Vibhīṣaṇa along with his four ministers seeks protection from Rāma. The monkeys suspect hi,. Rāma asks the opinion of monkey chiefs. Only Hanuman feels that he should be accepted.] After the younger brother of Rāvaṇa spoke these harsh words to Rāvaṇa, immediately he arrived at the place of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. 17.1 The monkey lords standing

18. Rāma Accepts Vibhīṣaṇa [Sugrīva is against giving protection to Vibhīṣaṇa. Rāma makes him agree quoting Śastras as well by telling several incidents. Sugrīva agrees and they decide to accept the surrender of Vibhīṣaṇa.] The unconquerable Rāma who was pleased after hearing what was told by the son of wind God replied with a firm mind, his opinion. 18.1 "I

19. Vibhīṣaṇa is Crowned [Vibhīṣaṇa's surrender is accepted by Rāma after he tells about the strengths of Rākṣasa army. As per orders of Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa consecrates Vibhīṣaṇa as the king of Rākṣasas. Vibhīṣaṇa suggests Rāma to request help from Varuṇa to build a bridge. Rāma commences his penance.] When Rāma promised him protection, the very intelligent Vibhīṣaṇa who was the

20. Rāvaṇa 's Attempt to Influence Sugrīva [One spy informs Rāvaṇa about the might of the monkey army. He sends a spy called Śuka to influence Sugrīva to go back. Śuka is caught by the monkeys.] After that a valorous Rākṣasa called Sārdula came and saw the army under the command of Sugrīva which was ready for the battle. 20.1

21. Rāma's Anger at Ocean [When the ocean does not respond to his penance, Rāma gets angry and is about it to dry it by his arrow, Lakṣmaṇa stops him.] Then Rāghava spread Darbha grass on the ocean bank, and saluting eastward he laid himself on that Durbhā bed with his hand as his pillow and appeared like he was

22. Bridge on Ocean [When Rāma is about to shoot the arrow of Brahma, the god of ocean appears before him and requests Rāma to use the expertise of the monkey Nala who was the son of Viśvakarma to build a bridge across the sea, the arrow of Brahma is used to make the Maru desert fertile. The monkeys build

23. Rāma Notices Omens [Omens indicating death and suffering to the monkey army is noticed by Rāma. He becomes sad because of it.] The elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa who was an expert in omens seeing the omens, hugged the son of Sumitrā and told the following words. 23.1 "After taking over this land blessed with cool water and fruits, let

24. Rāma at Lanka [Rāma and the monkey army reaches Lanka. Rāma divided the army in to battalions and assigns job of its protection to various monkey leaders. Śuka the spy is released. He tells Rāvaṇa about the great danger. Rāvaṇa is not bothered, ] That Assembly of valorous monkeys along with their king shined like the full moon of