When Śatānanda, the wise and radiant sage, saw Viśvāmitra arrive, he respectfully asked, “O son of Kuśika, did my revered father, with a peaceful heart, receive honor and greeting from Rāma, who has come here?” Hearing these words, the great sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied to Śatānanda, assuring him, “O best of sages, nothing has been left undone by me; your mother has been reunited with your father, just as Reṇukā was with Bhārgava.” Pleased by Viśvāmitra’s assurance, Śatānanda, full of splendor, turned to Rāma and addressed him warmly: “Welcome, O best of men! By great fortune, you have come here, O Rāghava, led by the unconquerable sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, whose brilliance is immeasurable, is a brahmarṣi—his deeds are beyond thought, attained through severe austerity. I know the supreme state he has reached. Truly, there is no one on earth more blessed than you, Rāma, for the son of Kuśika, renowned for his great austerity, is your protector. “Now, 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. “Kauśika 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. There was a king named Kuśa, son of Prajāpati, and 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. “This mighty and illustrious Viśvāmitra ruled the earth for many thousands of years, governing as king. Once, the great and 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 one after another, until he arrived at a particular hermitage. “He reached the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, adorned with flowering vines and trees, filled with many kinds of animals, and frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. The hermitage was graced by gods, demons, gandharvas, and kinnaras; it was tranquil, filled with peaceful deer, and attended by groups of twice-born sages. Assemblies of brahmarṣis and hosts of devarṣis gathered there, and it was inhabited by great souls accomplished in asceticism, their austerity like fire. The place was always filled with illustrious sages, resembling Brahmā himself—some subsisting on water, some on air, others eating only fallen leaves. There were sages who ate only fruits and roots, who were self-restrained, who had conquered their faults and senses, including the Vālakhilyas, devoted to recitation and sacrifice. All around, the hermitage was further adorned by other Vaikhānasa sages. Viśvāmitra, foremost among the victorious and mighty, beheld Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, which seemed like another world of Brahmā. “Now, listen as I continue the tale.” As Śatānanda spoke, he ushered in the next chapter of this sacred story. When Viśvāmitra arrived at Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, the mighty king was filled with supreme joy at the sight of the venerable sage. With reverence, Viśvāmitra bowed to Vasiṣṭha, foremost among those who recite the sacred mantras. The great Vasiṣṭha greeted him warmly, saying, “Welcome to you,” and offered him a seat of honor. Once Viśvāmitra was seated, Vasiṣṭha, following custom, brought him fruits and roots as hospitality. Having received this honor, Viśvāmitra, the best of kings, inquired about the welfare of the ascetics, the sacred fires, and the disciples in the hermitage. At that time, Viśvāmitra, radiant with splendor, spoke words of well-being to the king among sages, Vasiṣṭha, as they sat amidst the assembly of trees. Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā and foremost among those who recite the Vedas, questioned Viśvāmitra, who was comfortably seated and possessed great austerity: “O King, is all well with you? Do you rule your people with righteousness, delighting them as a virtuous king should? Are your servants well provided for and obedient to your commands? Have you conquered all your enemies, O destroyer of foes? Is all well with your armies, treasury, friends, sons, and grandsons?” Viśvāmitra replied to Vasiṣṭha that all was well everywhere. The two great souls then spent a long time in righteous conversation, joined in supreme joy, delighting in each other’s company. At the end of their conversation, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, O descendant of Raghu, spoke to Viśvāmitra with a gentle smile: “I wish to offer hospitality to you and your mighty army, whose greatness is immeasurable. Please accept from me what is fitting. You are the foremost of guests, O king, and worthy of worship with utmost care. Accept this honor I have prepared.” Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, wise and humble, replied, “It is done, O king, by your words of welcome. Whatever fruits and roots are available in your hermitage, along with water for washing and sipping, and the sight of your revered self—in every way, O greatly wise one, I have been properly honored with what is due. I bow to you, and I shall depart—please look upon me with friendly eyes.” As Viśvāmitra spoke thus, Vasiṣṭha, righteous and noble-minded, repeatedly invited him again and again to accept further hospitality. Gādhi’s son, Viśvāmitra, finally replied, “So be it! Let it be as the venerable one desires, O foremost of sages.” Thus began the sacred and wondrous encounter between the great king Viśvāmitra and the sage Vasiṣṭha, an episode filled with reverence, hospitality, and the meeting of two mighty souls.