Indra, the thousand-eyed lord of the gods, spoke to the goddess Diti with gentle remorse: “O goddess, at that fateful moment, I divided your embryo—which would have become my slayer in battle—into seven parts. For this act, I ask your forgiveness.” Now, listen to the next episode in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When her embryo had been thus divided into seven, Diti was overcome with grief. Yet, mustering composure, she addressed the unconquerable Indra with gentle words: “O lord of the gods, mighty slayer of the strong, this calamity has come about through my own fault; you are blameless in this matter. Still, I ask a favor of you regarding the fate of my children: let these seven become the guardians of the seven groups of Maruts. Let them, carried by the wind, O son, roam the heavens; let them be known as Maruts, divine in form, my very own children. Let one dwell in Brahmā’s world, another in your world, O Indra; the third, famed as Divyavāyu, shall also be illustrious. Four others, by your command, will roam the four directions. May good fortune be yours; in time, these are my sons. Because of your deed, they will forever be known by the name Maruts.” Hearing her words, Indra—the thousand-eyed Purandara, slayer of Bala—bowed with joined palms and replied, “All will happen just as you have said, without doubt. Your sons, divine in form, will roam as you wish.” Thus, having come to this agreement, mother and son, their purpose fulfilled, departed from the forest of austerities and ascended to heaven. O Rāma, this very place was once inhabited by mighty Mahendra. Here, Diti herself, accomplished in austerity, once moved about. O descendant of Kakutstha, know that in this region, a noble lineage flourished. Viśāla, born of Alambuṣā and celebrated for his righteousness, founded here the city called Viśālā. His son was the mighty Hemacandra, whose son was the famous Sucandra. Sucandra’s illustrious son was Dhūmrāśva, and his son was Sṛñjaya. Sṛñjaya’s son was the glorious and powerful Sahadeva, whose own son was Kuśāśva, supremely righteous. Kuśāśva’s son was the great and powerful Somadatta, and from him was born the renowned Kākutstha. His brilliant son now dwells in this city; famed and unconquerable, his name is Sumati. By the grace of Ikṣvāku, all the kings of Vaiśālī are long-lived, noble, valiant, and highly righteous. Here, let us rest comfortably for the night, O Rāma; tomorrow morning, you shall visit Janaka. Sumati, radiant and illustrious, heard of Viśvāmitra’s arrival and joyfully returned to welcome him. With his teachers and relatives, he honored the sage with the highest respect, inquired after his welfare, and said with reverence, “Blessed am I, O sage, for you have entered my land; having seen you, there is none more fortunate than I.” Now, listen to the next episode in the sacred Rāmāyaṇa. After exchanging greetings and inquiring after each other’s welfare, Sumati addressed the great sage: “May you be blessed! Who are these two youths, equal to the gods in valor, whose gait resembles that of elephants and lions, heroic and splendid like tigers and bulls? With eyes wide as lotus petals, bearing swords, quivers, and bows, they stand in the fullness of youth, as beautiful as the Aśvins. Arrived here by chance, like immortals from the world of the gods, how have they come here on foot, for what purpose, and whose sons are they, O sage? They adorn this land as the moon and sun adorn the sky, alike in stature, bearing, and movement. For what reason have these best of men come upon this difficult path, armed with such excellent weapons? I wish to hear the truth.” Hearing these words, Viśvāmitra recounted all that had transpired: their stay at Siddhāśrama, the slaying of the Rākṣasas, and all their deeds. The king was greatly astonished at Viśvāmitra’s narration. He then honored the two sons of Daśaratha as esteemed guests, according to custom and with great respect. After receiving such hospitality from the noble-minded Sumati, the two Raghavas spent one night there and then set out for Mithilā. As they approached the auspicious city of Janaka, all the sages praised Mithilā, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” and honored her greatly. There, near Mithilā, Rāghava beheld an ancient, deserted, yet charming hermitage. Curious, he asked the foremost of sages, “O venerable one, this place appears to be a hermitage, yet it is devoid of ascetics. I wish to know whose hermitage this once was.” Hearing Rāghava’s inquiry, the great sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied, “Indeed, I will tell you, Rāghava. Listen well to the story of this place, which was cursed in anger by a great soul. This was once the hermitage of the illustrious Gautama, O best of men, resplendent as the divine and highly revered even by the gods.