Hearing the words addressed to him, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra, master of eloquence, responded to Śatānanda with calm assurance. “O best of sages, I have left nothing undone. The wife was restored to the sage, just as Reṇukā was reunited with Bhārgava.” Śatānanda, radiant and wise, listened attentively to Viśvāmitra. Then, turning to Rāma, he spoke with warmth: “Welcome, O noblest of men! Fortunate indeed is your arrival, O Rāghava, guided here by the unconquerable sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, whose brilliance is boundless, is a brahmarṣi of deeds beyond imagination, attained through intense austerity. I know the heights he has reached. Truly, O Rāma, none on earth is more blessed than you, for the son of Kuśika—renowned for his mighty penance—is your protector.” Śatānanda continued, “Listen as I recount, to the best of my ability and as it truly happened, the story of the great sage Kauśika. Hear this tale from me. Kauśika was once a righteous king, a subduer of foes, deeply learned in dharma, accomplished in knowledge, and ever devoted to the well-being of his people. There was a king named Kuśa, son of Prajāpati; his son was the powerful and supremely righteous Kuśanābha. Kuśanābha’s son was the celebrated Gādhi, and Gādhi’s son is the great, radiant sage Viśvāmitra himself. “Mighty and illustrious, Viśvāmitra ruled the earth for thousands of years, governing as a wise and powerful king. Once, this radiant king assembled his vast army and, surrounded by his divisions, journeyed across the land. He traveled through cities and kingdoms, crossed rivers and great mountains, and visited hermitages one after another. In the course of his journey, he arrived at the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha. “This hermitage was adorned with flowering vines and trees, teeming with many kinds of animals, and frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. Gods, demons, gandharvas, and kinnaras graced its grounds; peaceful deer wandered freely, and groups of twice-born sages gathered there. Assemblies of brahmarṣis and hosts of devarṣis filled the place, and it was inhabited by great ascetics whose austerity blazed like fire. Sages of great renown, resembling Brahmā himself, dwelled there—some living only on water, some on air, others on fallen leaves. There were sages who subsisted on fruits and roots, who were self-restrained and had conquered their senses—among them the Vālakhilyas, devoted to recitation and sacrifice. The hermitage was further adorned by the presence of Vaikhānasa sages on all sides. When Viśvāmitra beheld Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, it seemed to him like another world of Brahmā itself.” Now begins the next chapter in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. Upon seeing Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. With reverence, he bowed to Vasiṣṭha, foremost of those who recite the sacred mantras. The great Vasiṣṭha welcomed him warmly and offered him a seat of honor. Once Viśvāmitra was seated, Vasiṣṭha, following custom, brought him fruits and roots as hospitality. Having received this welcome, the noble king Viśvāmitra inquired after the welfare of the ascetics, the sacred fires, and the disciples dwelling in the hermitage. Then, amidst the assembly of trees, Viśvāmitra of great splendor spoke words of well-being to Vasiṣṭha, king among sages. Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā and foremost among those who recite the Veda, turned to Viśvāmitra, who sat comfortably, radiant with the power of his austerities, and asked, “O King, is all well with you? Do you govern your people righteously, delighting them by your conduct? Do you rule 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? O tiger among men, O sinless one, is all well with your armies, treasury, friends, sons, and grandsons?” Viśvāmitra replied that all was well everywhere, addressing Vasiṣṭha, who was endowed with humility and wisdom. Having spent a long time in righteous and pleasant conversation, the two great souls delighted in each other’s company, joined in supreme joy. 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, O king whose greatness is immeasurable. Please accept from me what is fitting. You are the foremost of guests, and I wish to honor you with utmost care.” Thus addressed, Viśvāmitra, wise and discerning, replied, “It is accomplished already, 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—by all these, O greatly wise one, I have been properly honored. I bow to you and am ready to depart; please look upon me with friendly eyes.” As Viśvāmitra spoke thus, Vasiṣṭha, righteous and noble-minded, repeatedly invited him to remain, insisting again and again. Gādhi’s son finally replied, “So be it! Let it be as you desire, O venerable one, foremost of sages.” With this agreement, Vasiṣṭha, best among reciters, his heart joyful, summoned Kalmāṣī, pure of sin, to prepare for the honored guest and his retinue.