When the great sage Viśvāmitra arrived, news of his presence quickly reached King Janaka, the foremost of kings, who was without fault. With his chief priest Śatānanda leading the way, Janaka hastened to greet the sage. The officiating priests, noble in spirit, respectfully took the sacred offerings and went forth at once, their hearts filled with reverence. Janaka, ever righteous, honored Viśvāmitra with gifts, presenting them in accordance with dharma. The sage graciously received this homage from the noble Janaka, who was renowned for his virtue. Viśvāmitra then inquired after the king’s welfare and the flawless progress of the sacrifice, extending his greetings to the assembled sages, their teachers, and the priests as was proper. With joy, he met all the sages, fulfilling the customs of hospitality. Janaka, with hands joined in respect, spoke to the illustrious sage, expressing his delight. Viśvāmitra, having listened to Janaka’s words, sat upon the honored seat alongside the eminent sages. The priests, officiants, and the king with his counselors all took their seats fittingly, arranged with care around the gathering. Beholding Viśvāmitra, Janaka spoke with devotion, “Today, my sacrifice finds its fulfillment through the grace of the gods. By the sight of the revered one, I have attained the fruit of this sacrifice. Blessed and favored am I, for the eminent sage has come to me.” He continued, “O Brahman, you have arrived at the sacrificial enclosure with these sages. The wise declare that the consecration lasts twelve days, O Brahmarṣi. Therefore, Kauśika, you should witness the gods as they come to claim their shares.” Having spoken thus, his face radiant with joy, Janaka again approached Viśvāmitra with joined palms and deep reverence. With humility, Janaka asked, “May you be blessed! Who are these two youthful heroes, equal to the gods in valor? Their gait rivals that of elephants; they resemble tigers and bulls, their eyes are broad and lotus-like, and they bear swords, quivers, and bows. In beauty, they are like the Aśvins, standing at the threshold of youth. They have arrived on earth as if by chance, like immortals from the heavenly realms. 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. They are alike in stature, gestures, and movements, with locks like crow’s wings. I wish to hear the truth about them.” Hearing Janaka’s heartfelt words, the great sage Viśvāmitra replied, “These are the sons of Daśaratha.” He recounted to Janaka how the princes had resided at Siddhāśrama, the slaying of the rākṣasas, their peaceful journey, and their visit to Viśālā. He spoke of their encounter with Ahalya, her reunion with sage Gautama, and their coming to test the great bow. Thus, the illustrious Viśvāmitra narrated all these events to noble Janaka, and then he paused. Now begins the fifty-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Hearing Viśvāmitra’s account, Śatānanda, radiant and ascetic, felt his hair stand on end with wonder. As Gautama’s eldest son, shining with the power of his austerities, Śatānanda was filled with awe at the sight of Rāma. He beheld the two princes seated comfortably and addressed the great sage Viśvāmitra. “O tiger among sages,” he asked, “did my illustrious mother, long devoted to austerity, appear before the royal prince? Did she, resplendent in her asceticism, offer Rāma the worship due to all beings, with gifts from the forest? Was the story of what she suffered long ago at the hands of the god told to Rāma? O Kauśika, was my mother, best among sages’ wives, reunited with my father after seeing Rāma? O son of Kuśika, did my father honor Rāma, the great-souled one, who came here and received worship? Did my father, with a peaceful mind, receive honor and greeting from Rāma?” Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied, “O best of sages, nothing has been left undone by me. Your mother was indeed reunited with your father, as Reṇukā was with Bhārgava.” Hearing this, Śatānanda, radiant and wise, turned to Rāma and spoke, “Welcome to you, best of men! By great fortune you have come, O Rāghava, led here by the unconquered sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, of immeasurable brilliance, is a brahmarṣi whose deeds are beyond thought, attained by supreme austerity—I know his exalted state. There is no one on earth more blessed than you, Rāma, for the son of Kuśika, who performed great austerities, is your protector. “Listen as I recount, to the best of 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 his people’s welfare. “There was a king named Kuśa, son of Prajāpati, whose son was the powerful and supremely righteous Kuśanābha. Kuśanābha’s son was the renowned Gādhi, and Gādhi’s son is the great and radiant sage—Viśvāmitra.