When the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra had finished recounting all these events to the noble King Janaka, he paused, his words lingering in the air. Now, listen to the fifty-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Upon hearing Viśvāmitra’s account, Śatānanda, radiant and ascetic, felt his hair stand on end in wonder. Śatānanda, the eldest son of Gautama, shining with the power of his austerity, was filled with awe, especially at the sight of Rāma before him. Observing the two princes seated with ease and dignity, Śatānanda addressed the foremost of sages, Viśvāmitra. “O tiger among sages,” he began, “did my illustrious mother, long steadfast in her austerities, appear before the royal prince? Did she, resplendent in her virtue, offer Rāma the worship due to all beings, with gifts from the forest? 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 among sages’ wives, reunited with my revered teacher after seeing Rāma? And did my teacher honor Rāma, the great-souled one, who came here and received worship? O son of Kuśika, did my teacher, with a peaceful mind, receive honor and greeting from Rāma, who arrived here?” Hearing these earnest questions, the great sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in gentle speech, replied, “O best of sages, nothing has been left undone by me. The wife was indeed reunited with the sage, just as Reṇukā was with Bhārgava.” Śatānanda, his heart gladdened by Viśvāmitra’s words, turned to Rāma and spoke with reverence: “Welcome to you, best of men! By great fortune you have come here, O Rāghava, led by the unconquered sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, of immeasurable brilliance, is a brahmarṣi, his deeds beyond thought, attained by the might of his austerity—I know his supreme state. There is no one on earth more blessed than you, Rāma, for the son of Kuśika, who has performed tremendous austerities, is your protector. “Now listen, as I recount to you, 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 ever devoted to the welfare of his people. “There was a king named Kuśa, son of Prajāpati. Kuśa’s son was the powerful and supremely righteous Kuśanābha. Kuśanābha’s son was the renowned Gādhi, and Gādhi’s son was the great and radiant sage, Viśvāmitra. “Mighty and illustrious, Viśvāmitra ruled the earth for many thousands of years, governing as king. Once, this radiant king assembled his vast army, and, surrounded by his divisions, journeyed across the land. He traveled through cities, kingdoms, rivers, and great mountains, visiting hermitages in turn, until he arrived at one in particular. “He reached the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, a place adorned with blossoming vines and trees, filled with many kinds of animals, and frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. Gods, demons, gandharvas, and kinnaras graced it with their presence. It was tranquil, full of peaceful deer, and attended by groups of twice-born sages. Assemblies of brahmarṣis gathered there, joined by hosts of devarṣis; it was inhabited by great souls accomplished in asceticism, blazing with the fire of their austerities. The hermitage was always filled with illustrious sages, resembling Brahmā himself—some subsisting on water, some on air, and others eating only fallen leaves. There were sages who ate only fruits and roots, who were self-restrained and had conquered their faults and senses, including the Vālakhilyas, devoted to recitation and sacrifice. On all sides, it was further adorned by other Vaikhānasa sages. Viśvāmitra, foremost among the mighty, beheld Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, which seemed like another world of Brahmā.” Now, listen to the fifty-second sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Seeing the venerable Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. The heroic king, full of reverence, bowed low before Vasiṣṭha, foremost among those who recite sacred mantras. The great Vasiṣṭha greeted him warmly, saying, “Welcome to you,” and offered him an honored seat. When wise Viśvāmitra had taken his place, the eminent sage, according to custom, brought him fruits and roots as hospitality. Having received this gracious welcome from Vasiṣṭha, the best of kings inquired after the welfare of the ascetics, the sacred fires, and the disciples. At that time, Viśvāmitra of great splendor spoke words of well-being to the king among sages, Vasiṣṭha, amidst the assembly of trees. Vasiṣṭha, foremost among those who recite, son of Brahmā, then questioned Viśvāmitra, the king, who sat comfortably before him, radiant with austerity. “O King, is all well with you? Do you govern your people, delighting them through righteousness, and do you rule with the conduct befitting a virtuous king? Are your servants well provided for? Do they remain obedient to your command? Have you conquered all your enemies, O destroyer of foes? O tiger among men, O sinless one, is all well with your armies, treasury, friends, sons, and grandsons?” Thus, in this sacred gathering, the great sages exchanged words of honor and well-being, their hearts united in dharma and mutual respect.