Having spoken thus to Ahalyā, who had fallen into error, the great sage Gautama—renowned for his immense austerity—departed from his hermitage, a place frequented by Siddhas and Charanas. He journeyed to the beautiful peaks of the Himalayas to undertake rigorous penance. Now begins the forty-ninth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. At this time, Indra, rendered fruitless and filled with fear, addressed the assembly of gods, Agni at their head, and the Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Charanas. He confessed, “By causing an obstacle to the penance of the great-souled Gautama and inciting his anger, I have acted for the sake of the gods. But by his wrath, I have been made fruitless, and Ahalyā has been rejected; through his mighty curse, I have deprived Gautama of his penance. Therefore, O best of gods, all of you, together with the sages and Charanas, must make this act—performed for your sake—fruitful for me.” Hearing Indra’s plea, the gods, led by Agni, approached the Pitṛs, accompanied by the Maruts, and spoke: “This ram is intact, while Indra has been rendered without testicles; take the testicles of the ram and quickly give them to Indra. The ram, made fruitless, will bring you supreme satisfaction. For your joy, those men who offer rams will obtain inexhaustible fruit, and you shall grant them abundant rewards.” Accepting Agni’s words, the assembled Pitṛs took the ram’s testicles and implanted them in Indra, the thousand-eyed one. From that time onward, O descendant of Kakutstha, the Pitṛs have eaten fruitless rams, and the fruit of the offering is assigned to them. And thus, O Rāghava, Indra has the testicles of a ram, through the power of Gautama and the force of his asceticism. Then Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma, “O one of great brilliance, go now to the hermitage of the virtuous Gautama and deliver this highly fortunate Ahalyā, divine in form.” Hearing these words, Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, entered the hermitage with Viśvāmitra leading the way. There, Rāma beheld the blessed Ahalyā, whose radiance, intensified by her austerity, was difficult to gaze upon even for gods and demons together. She appeared as if created by the very effort of the Creator, her form seemingly divine and woven of illusion, enveloped in a smoky aura like a blazing tongue of fire. Like the brilliance of the full moon veiled by frost and clouds, she shone in the midst of waters, difficult to approach, like the radiant sun. Because of Gautama’s words, she had become invisible to all three worlds, until Rāma’s presence brought an end to the curse, and she became visible once more. Then, the two descendants of Raghu joyfully approached and touched her feet; remembering Gautama’s instructions, Ahalyā received them. With composure and devotion, she offered water for washing their feet, hospitality, and gifts, which Rāma accepted according to prescribed rites. At that moment, a great shower of flowers fell, accompanied by the sound of divine drums, and there was a grand celebration among the Gandharvas and Apsarases. The gods praised Ahalyā, exclaiming “Excellent, excellent!”—her body purified by the power of austerity and her obedience to Gautama’s will. Gautama, radiant with ascetic energy, returned and, together with Ahalyā, was filled with happiness. Having properly honored Rāma, the great sage resumed his penances. Rāma, too, having received the highest honor from Gautama according to proper rites, then departed for Mithilā. Now begins the fiftieth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Proceeding northeast, Rāma, together with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), approached the sacrificial enclosure, guided by Viśvāmitra. Rāma spoke to the foremost sage, with Lakṣmaṇa by his side: “Truly, the sacrificial prosperity of Janaka, the great-souled one, is admirable. Here are thousands of highly fortunate Brāhmaṇas from various regions, devoted to Vedic study. The hermitages of sages are seen, crowded with hundreds of carts. O Brāhmaṇa, please designate a place where we may stay.” Hearing Rāma’s words, Viśvāmitra, the great sage, arranged for their dwelling in a secluded spot with abundant water. News of Viśvāmitra’s arrival reached the foremost king, Janaka, who was faultless in conduct, with his chief priest Śatānanda before him. The great-souled officiating priests quickly took the offering and went forth at once, full of reverence. King Janaka, ever righteous, offered the honored gift to Viśvāmitra in accordance with dharma. Viśvāmitra, having received the homage from Janaka, inquired after the king’s welfare and the flawless progress of the sacrifice. Then, having greeted the assembled sages, their teachers, and priests, he joyfully met with them as was proper. King Janaka, with hands joined, addressed the foremost sage. The venerable sage took his seat among the eminent sages, having listened to Janaka’s words. The priests, officiants, and the king with his counselors all sat in their proper places, arranged with care. Seeing Viśvāmitra present, King Janaka spoke: “Today the success of my sacrifice has been fulfilled by the gods. By the sight of the revered one, I have attained the fruit of this sacrifice. Blessed and favored am I, for whom the eminent sage has come. O Brahman, you have arrived at the sacrificial enclosure with the sages; the wise declare that the consecration lasts twelve days, O Brahmarṣi.