After having caused an obstacle to the penance of the great sage Gautama and provoking his wrath, Indra—the king of the gods—spoke to the assembled deities. “For the sake of the gods, I have performed this act,” he declared, “but by Gautama’s anger, I have been rendered fruitless, and Ahalyā has been cast away. Through his powerful curse, I have lost my manhood, and Gautama’s penance has been interrupted. Therefore, O best of gods, joined by sages and celestial beings, I beseech you: make this deed, performed for your sake, bear fruit for me.” Hearing Indra’s plea, the gods, led by Agni and accompanied by the Maruts, approached the Pitṛs—the ancestors—and addressed them, saying, “This ram remains whole, while Indra has lost his testicles. Take the testicles of the ram and bestow them upon Indra without delay. The ram, once made fruitless, will bring you supreme satisfaction. For your joy, those men who offer rams in sacrifice will receive inexhaustible rewards, and you shall grant them abundant blessings.” Accepting Agni’s words, the Pitṛs took the testicles from the ram and implanted them in Indra, the thousand-eyed god. From that time onward, O descendant of Kakutstha, the Pitṛs have eaten fruitless rams, and the merit from these offerings is assigned to them. And thus, O Rāghava, Indra bears the testicles of a ram, all by the power of Gautama and his mighty penance. Then Viśvāmitra said, “O one of great brilliance, proceed to the hermitage of the virtuous Gautama and deliver Ahalyā, who is blessed and divine in form.” Hearing these words, Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and led by Viśvāmitra, entered the hermitage. There, Rāma beheld the radiant Ahalyā, her splendor intensified by her austerities, so much so that even gods and demons together would find her difficult to gaze upon. Created with care by the Creator himself, she seemed woven of illusion—her body enveloped in a smoky aura, like a blazing tongue of fire. She shone as the full moon shines behind a veil of frost and clouds, radiant amid the waters, yet difficult to approach, like the sun itself. By Gautama’s words, she had become invisible to all beings of the three worlds, but when Rāma’s eyes fell upon her, the curse was lifted, and she became visible once more. Then, the two sons of Raghu, filled with joy, bowed at her feet, and she, remembering Gautama’s instructions, accepted them. With calm composure, Ahalyā offered water for washing their feet, hospitality, and gifts, and Rāma accepted these according to the proper rites. Suddenly, a great shower of flowers fell from the heavens, accompanied by the sound of divine drums, and the Gandharvas and Apsarases celebrated joyfully. The gods praised Ahalyā, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!”—her body purified by penance, obedient to Gautama’s will. Reunited, Gautama—resplendent in his brilliance—and Ahalyā were filled with happiness. Having duly honored Rāma, the great ascetic resumed his penances. Rāma, too, having received the highest honors from Gautama, departed for Mithilā. Now begins the fiftieth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Proceeding northeast, Rāma and Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), guided by Viśvāmitra, approached the sacrificial enclosure of King Janaka. Looking around, Rāma said to the venerable sage, “Indeed, the sacrificial prosperity of the great-souled Janaka is admirable! Here are thousands of fortunate Brāhmaṇas from many regions, devoted to Vedic study. Hermitages of sages are all around, crowded with hundreds of carts. O Brāhmaṇa, please show us a place where we may stay.” Hearing this, Viśvāmitra arranged a secluded dwelling with water for them. News of Viśvāmitra’s arrival quickly reached Janaka, the flawless king, who came forward with his chief priest, Śatānanda. The officiating priests, full of reverence, brought offerings and hastened to greet the sage. Janaka, righteous and wise, honored Viśvāmitra with gifts according to dharma. Viśvāmitra, having received this homage, inquired after the king’s welfare and the flawless progress of the sacrifice, and then greeted the assembled sages and their teachers with joy. When all were properly seated, Janaka addressed Viśvāmitra: “Today, the success of my sacrifice is fulfilled by the gods. By your very presence, O revered sage, I have attained the fruit of my sacrifice. Blessed and favored am I that you have come to my sacrificial enclosure with these sages. The wise declare that the consecration lasts twelve days, O Brahmarṣi. Therefore, O Kauśika, you must witness the gods as they come to claim their shares.” Having spoken thus, his face radiant with joy, Janaka again, with joined palms and devotion, respectfully inquired, “May you be blessed! Who are these two youths, equal to the gods in valor? Heroes whose gait rivals that of elephants, resembling tigers and bulls, with broad, lotus-like eyes, bearing swords, quivers, and bows—so beautiful, like the Aśvins—standing at the threshold of youth?