As Rāma and his companions approached the bustling hermitages of sages, crowded with hundreds of carts, Rāma respectfully addressed Viśvāmitra, “O Brāhmaṇa, please designate a place where we may stay.” Hearing this, the great sage Viśvāmitra arranged for their dwelling in a quiet spot with water, ensuring their comfort. News of Viśvāmitra’s arrival quickly reached King Janaka, the foremost and faultless ruler, who came with Śatānanda, his chief priest, leading the way. The officiating priests, filled with reverence, swiftly took the sacrificial offerings and went forth to greet the sage. Janaka, ever righteous, honored Viśvāmitra with gifts in accordance with dharma. Viśvāmitra accepted this homage from Janaka and, in return, inquired about the king’s welfare and the flawless progress of the sacrifice. He also greeted the assembled sages, their teachers, and priests, meeting each joyfully and as was proper. With hands joined in respect, King Janaka addressed Viśvāmitra, who had taken his seat among the eminent sages, surrounded by the priests, officiants, and royal counselors, all seated as befitted their status. Janaka spoke with gratitude, “Today, the success of my sacrifice has truly been fulfilled by the gods. By seeing you, O revered sage, I have attained the fruit of this sacrifice. Blessed am I, for you have come to me.” Janaka continued, “O Brahman, you have arrived at the sacrificial enclosure with the sages. The wise declare that the consecration lasts twelve days, O Brahmarṣi. Therefore, Kauśika, you should witness the gods as they come for their shares.” Having spoken thus, Janaka’s face glowed with joy. Again, with palms joined and devotion shining through, he respectfully asked, “May you be blessed! Who are these two youths, equal to the gods in valor?” He described the youths: “Heroes whose gait rivals elephants, resembling tigers and bulls, with broad lotus-like eyes, bearing swords, quivers, and bows. In beauty, like the Aśvins, standing at the threshold of youth. They seem to have arrived on earth as if by chance, like immortals from the realm of the gods. How have they come here on foot, for what purpose, and whose sons are they, O sage? Heroes bearing excellent weapons, whose sons are they, O great sage? They adorn this land as the moon and sun adorn the sky. Resembling each other in stature, gestures, and movements; heroes with locks like crow’s wings—I wish to hear the truth about them.” Hearing these words of the noble Janaka, Viśvāmitra, the immeasurable sage, revealed, “They are the sons of Daśaratha.” He recounted their residence at Siddhāśrama, the slaying of the rākṣasas, their untroubled arrival there, and the sight of Viśālā. Viśvāmitra spoke of Ahalya’s sight, her reunion with Gautama, and their coming here to test the great bow. All this, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra reported to Janaka, and then paused. Now begins the fifty-first sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Hearing Viśvāmitra’s words, Śatānanda, radiant and ascetic, felt his hair stand on end. Gautama’s eldest son, shining with austerity, was filled with great wonder simply by seeing Rāma. Beholding the two princes seated comfortably, Śatānanda addressed Viśvāmitra, “O tiger among sages, did my illustrious mother, long devoted to austerity, appear before the royal prince? Did my mother, of great splendor, offer Rāma the worship due to all beings, with forest gifts? Was it told to Rāma what happened long ago—what my glorious mother suffered at the hands of the god? O Kauśika, was my mother, the best of sages’ wives, united with my teacher after seeing Rāma? Did my teacher honor Rāma, the great-souled one, who came here and received worship? Did my teacher, with a peaceful mind, receive honor and greeting from Rāma, who came here?” Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied, “O best of sages, nothing has been left undone by me. The wife was reunited with the sage, just as Reṇukā was with Bhārgava.” Hearing these words, Śatānanda, of great splendor, turned to Rāma and spoke warmly: “Welcome to you, best of men! By good fortune you have come, O Rāghava, led here by the unconquered great sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, of immeasurable brilliance, is a brahmarṣi whose deeds are beyond thought, attained by austerity—I know his supreme state. There is no one on earth more blessed than you, Rāma, for the son of Kuśika, who performed great austerity, is your protector. Listen as I recount, according to my ability and as it truly happened, the story of the great sage Kauśika; hear it from me as I narrate. He was a righteous king, a subduer of foes for a long time, learned in dharma, accomplished in knowledge, and devoted to the welfare of his people.