Once, a young boy named Śunaḥśepa, the son of a sage, approached Viśvāmitra seeking refuge. Viśvāmitra, moved by compassion, called his own sons together and said, “This boy, son of a sage, seeks refuge with me. My sons, do what is pleasing by giving him your very life. You, who have performed virtuous deeds and are devoted to righteousness, become the sacrificial victim for King Ambarīṣa and satisfy the fire. Śunaḥśepa will have a protector, the sacrifice will proceed without hindrance, the gods will be gratified, and my word will be fulfilled.” Hearing their father’s words, his sons, beginning with Madhucchandā, responded with pride and tears. They protested, “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.” Their words angered Viśvāmitra. His eyes reddened, and he spoke sternly, “You have spoken without fear, yet your words are condemned even by righteousness. You have disregarded my command; your response is harsh and hair-raising. All of you, like the descendants of Vasiṣṭha, will eat dog meat by birth; for a full thousand years you shall remain on earth.” Having pronounced this curse upon his sons, Viśvāmitra turned to the distressed Śunaḥśepa, assuring him of 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 learned the two verses and quickly addressed King Ambarīṣa, “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.” The king, joyful at these words, swiftly proceeded to the sacrificial enclosure. With the approval of the officiating priests, Ambarīṣa marked Śunaḥśepa as the sacrificial victim, bound him to the post, and clothed him in red garments. Thus bound, Śunaḥśepa praised Indra and Indra’s younger brother with excellent words, as was proper for the rite. Indra, the thousand-eyed, pleased by Śunaḥśepa’s secret hymn of praise, granted him long life. King Ambarīṣa completed the sacrifice and obtained abundant fruit, O Rāma, by the grace of Indra. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled and of great austerity, withdrew to Puṣkara and performed further penance for another hundred years. Now hear the sixty-third chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When a thousand years had passed, all the gods approached Viśvāmitra, who had bathed after his vow, wishing to reward his austerity. Brahmā, radiant and brilliant, spoke kindly, “You are a sage, blessed one, by your own virtuous deeds.” Having spoken, the lord of the gods returned to heaven; yet Viśvāmitra, full of energy, undertook even greater austerity. After a long time, Menakā, the foremost of apsarases, came to bathe at Puṣkara. The mighty and radiant Viśvāmitra beheld her there, her beauty like lightning in a cloud. Overcome by desire, he welcomed her, “Welcome, O apsaras! Please stay here in my hermitage. Grant me your favor, blessed one, for I am bewildered by passion.” Menakā agreed, and took up residence with Viśvāmitra. A great obstacle to his austerity arose while Menakā dwelt there. For five years, and five more, Viśvāmitra’s time passed pleasantly in her company in his serene hermitage. When those ten years elapsed, the sage became ashamed, filled with anxiety and sorrow. He realized, “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, he sighed deeply. Seeing Menakā trembling with joined palms, Viśvāmitra released her with gentle words. Determined to conquer himself, he went to the northern mountain, resolved upon steadfastness. On the bank of the Kauśikī, he undertook severe austerity, difficult to accomplish, practicing fierce penance for thousands of years. On the northern mountain, fear arose among the gods. All the gods, together with the hosts of sages, assembled and consulted, “Let Kuśika’s son attain the title of great sage.” Hearing their words, Brahmā, the grandfather of all worlds, spoke sweetly to Viśvāmitra, “Welcome, O child! You have pleased me with your intense penance. I grant you greatness and the foremost status among sages, O Kauśika.