सर्गः ७१
In which Vibhīṣaṇa finds Rāma senseless over false Sītā slaughter and urges sending Lakṣmaṇa before Nikumbhilā rite succeeds
Vibhīṣaṇa arrives with ministers and finds Rāma senseless — Lakṣmaṇa reports Hanumān news of Sītā slaughter — Vibhīṣaṇa calls tale untrue like drying ocean — Rāvaṇa never kills Sītā he begs to free — Indrajit deludes monkeys and seeks Nikumbhilā rite — Completed rite makes him invincible even to gods — Rāma must send Lakṣmaṇa with troops before completion