Vamadeva

King Shala, son of Parikshit, pursues a deer and learns from his charioteer that only Vamadeva's Vamya horses are swift enough to catch it. He borrows them on condition of return, but after catching the deer, he decides to keep them — refusing the rishi's request and then Vamadeva's personal demand. Vamadeva warns him, and rakshasas arise and strike the king dead.

When Vamadeva demands the return of the Vamya horses from the new king Dala, Dala threatens to kill him with a poisoned arrow. Vamadeva prophesies that the arrow will instead kill Dala's own son — and it does. Dala tries to shoot again but finds himself unable to release the bowstring.

Markandeya tells Yudhishthira the full story of Rama's exile: Dasharatha's plan to instate his eldest son, Kaikeyi's demand for Bharata's throne and Rama's banishment, Rama's departure, Dasharatha's death from grief, Bharata's refusal of the crown, and the events that led Ravana to set his sights on Sita.

After the gods depart and Sita is vindicated, Rama arranges Lanka's protection, crosses the bridge, and begins the journey home. He installs Angada as heir in Kishkindha, sends Hanuman ahead to Bharata, and arrives at Nandigrama to find his brother still living in bark garments with Rama's sandals before him.