With a heart full of anxiety and hope, Śunaḥśepa approached the great sage Viśvāmitra and pleaded, “O gentle one, foremost among sages, you must protect me through righteousness. You, best of men, are the refuge and creator of all.” He continued, “Let the king achieve his purpose, and let me be granted long and unending life. Through supreme austerity, may I attain the heavenly world.” With a voice trembling with need, he implored, “Be my protector, for I am without one. With your benevolent heart, save me from sin as a father would save his son.” Hearing these desperate words, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra comforted Śunaḥśepa in many ways, assuring him of his care. Then, turning to his own sons, he addressed them gravely: “Fathers desire sons for the sake of good, for the benefit of the next world—now is that time come. This boy, son of a sage, seeks refuge with me. My sons, do what is pleasing and give him your very life. All of you, who have performed virtuous deeds and are devoted to righteousness, become the sacrificial victim for the king and satisfy the fire. In this way, Śunaḥśepa will have a protector, the sacrifice will proceed without hindrance, the gods will be gratified, and my word will be fulfilled.” But Viśvāmitra’s sons, beginning with Madhucchandā, replied with pride and tears in their eyes, “How can you abandon your own sons and save another’s child, O lord? We see this as improper, like eating the flesh of a dog.” Hearing these words, Viśvāmitra, his eyes reddened with anger, spoke sternly: “You have spoken without fear, but your words are condemned by righteousness. You have disregarded my command; your words are harsh and hair-raising. Therefore, all of you, like the descendants of Vasiṣṭha, shall eat dog meat by birth; for a thousand years you will remain on earth.” Having pronounced this curse, the great sage turned to the distressed Śunaḥśepa, ensuring his protection and well-being. He instructed, “Bound with sacred cords, adorned with red garlands and unguents, approach the Viṣṇu-post and, with words, invoke the fire. And, O young sage, you should sing these two divine verses at the sacrifice of Ambarīṣa; then you will attain success.” Śunaḥśepa, carefully receiving the two verses, quickly approached Ambarīṣa, the lion among kings, and said, “O lion among kings, great in wisdom, let us go quickly; O king of kings, end your vow and proclaim the completion of the rite.” Hearing this, the king, filled with joy, swiftly went to the sacrificial enclosure, his energy undiminished. With the approval of the officiating priests, Ambarīṣa marked Śunaḥśepa with a sacred sign and bound him to the post, clothing him in red garments. Thus bound, the sage’s son praised Indra and Indra’s younger brother with excellent words, as was proper. Pleased by this secret hymn of praise, Indra, the thousand-eyed lord, granted long life to Śunaḥśepa. The king, too, completed the sacrifice and, by the grace of the thousand-eyed one, obtained abundant fruit. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled and of great austerity, then undertook further penance at Puṣkara for another hundred years. Now, listen to the next chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, O Rāma. When Viśvāmitra had completed a thousand years of penance, all the gods approached him as he bathed after his vow, wishing to grant him the fruit of his austerity. Brahmā, radiant and resplendent, spoke pleasing words: “You are a sage, blessed one, by your own virtuous deeds.” Having spoken, the lord of the gods returned to heaven, and Viśvāmitra, filled with energy, undertook even greater austerity. After a long time, Menakā, the foremost of apsarases, came to bathe at Puṣkara. The mighty and radiant son of Kuśika beheld her there, her beauty incomparable, like lightning in a cloud. Overcome by the pride of desire, the sage addressed her: “Welcome, O apsaras! Please stay here in my hermitage. Grant me your favor, blessed one, for I am bewildered by passion.” Thus spoken to, the lovely Menakā took up residence there. For five years, and five more, Menakā dwelt in Viśvāmitra’s serene hermitage, and a great obstacle to his austerity befell him. Those years passed pleasantly, but when that time had elapsed, Viśvāmitra became as if ashamed, absorbed in anxiety and sorrow. A thought arose in his mind, filled with indignation: “This is the work of all the gods, a great theft of my austerity; ten years have passed in the span of day and night. This obstacle has arisen for me, overwhelmed by desire and passion.” Afflicted by remorse, the eminent sage sighed deeply. Seeing the fearful apsaras, trembling and standing with joined palms, Viśvāmitra, son of Kuśika, released Menakā with gentle words. Resolving upon steadfastness, desiring to conquer himself, the renowned sage went to the northern mountain. Reaching the bank of the Kauśikī, he undertook severe austerity, difficult to accomplish; for thousands of years, he practiced fierce penance, his heart set on transcendence.