Kuśanābha’s son was the renowned Gādhi, and Gādhi’s son was none other than the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra, radiant and great. Viśvāmitra, mighty and celebrated, ruled the earth for countless thousands of years, governing as a noble king. One day, this great and radiant monarch gathered his army, and, surrounded by his divisions, set forth across the land. His journey took him through bustling cities and vast kingdoms, across rivers and over towering mountains. He visited hermitages one by one, until he arrived at a particular one—the hermitage of the sage Vasiṣṭha. This sacred place 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. It was tranquil, filled with peaceful deer, and attended by groups of twice-born sages. Assemblies of brahmarṣis crowded the hermitage, and hosts of devarṣis were present. The place was inhabited by great souls accomplished in asceticism, their austerity shining like fire. Sages who resembled Brahmā himself filled the hermitage—some subsisting only on water, some on air, others eating only fallen leaves. There were those 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. Other Vaikhānasa sages also adorned the hermitage on all sides. Viśvāmitra, foremost among the victorious and mighty, beheld Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, which seemed like another world of Brahmā. Now, listen to the fifty-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Upon seeing Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. With reverence, the heroic king bowed to Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of those who recite sacred mantras. The great sage welcomed him warmly and offered Viśvāmitra a seat. Once Viśvāmitra was seated, Vasiṣṭha, following custom, brought him fruits and roots. Having received this hospitality, Viśvāmitra, the best of kings, inquired about the welfare of the ascetics, the sacred fires, and the disciples. At that moment, Viśvāmitra of great splendor spoke words of well-being to Vasiṣṭha, the king among sages, amidst the assembly of trees. Vasiṣṭha, foremost among reciters and son of Brahmā, questioned Viśvāmitra, who was comfortably seated and possessed great austerity: “O King, is all well with you? Do you govern your people, delighting them through righteousness? 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?” Viśvāmitra replied that all was well everywhere, addressing Vasiṣṭha, who was endowed with humility. Having spent a long time in righteous conversation, the two sages, joined in supreme joy, delighted in each other’s company. At the end of their conversation, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, O descendant of Raghu, spoke to Viśvāmitra, as if smiling: “I wish to offer hospitality to this mighty army and to you, whose greatness is immeasurable; please accept from me what is fitting. Please accept this honor I have prepared for you; you are the foremost of guests, O king, and worthy of worship with utmost care.” Viśvāmitra, of great wisdom, replied, “It is done, O king, by your words of welcome. O venerable one, whatever fruits and roots are available in your hermitage, along with water for washing feet 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—look upon me with friendly eyes.” As the king spoke thus, Vasiṣṭha, righteous and noble-minded, repeatedly invited him again and again. Gādhi’s son replied, “So be it! Let it be as the venerable one desires, O foremost of sages.” Thus addressed, Vasiṣṭha, best among reciters, joyfully summoned Kalmāṣī, purified of sin. He called out: “Come, come quickly, Śabala, and listen to my words. I am resolved to provide this royal sage with a most excellent meal and honor—arrange it for me. For each and every one, according to their desire, with six flavors and full honor, let all those divine wish-fulfilling things rain down for me, O Kāmadhenu. O Śabalā, quickly produce every kind of food—solid, liquid, to be licked, and to be sucked—rich with flavors, grains, and drinks.” Now, listen to the fifty-third sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Śabalā, the fulfiller of desires, provided for each person whatever they wished. She produced sugarcanes, honey, parched grains, the finest wines and liquors, costly drinks, and all kinds of foods, both rich and simple. There appeared heaps of hot, well-cooked rice like mountains, delicious dishes, soups, and curds in abundance. Plentiful foods of various tastes and flavors were there, sweetmeats, and thousands of well-filled dishes of jaggery. Everything was perfectly satisfying, filled with joyful and nourished people. O Rāma, Vasiṣṭha fully gratified Viśvāmitra’s entire army.