Viśvāmitra, the illustrious sage, spoke with clarity and resolve: “Śunaḥśepa will have a protector, the sacrifice will proceed without hindrance, the gods will be gratified, and my word will be fulfilled.” Hearing these words, his sons—led by Madhucchandā—became indignant. Tears streamed from their eyes as 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.” Viśvāmitra, the foremost of sages, listened to his sons’ harsh words. Anger reddened his eyes as he replied, “You have spoken without fear, but your words are condemned by righteousness. You have disregarded my command; your speech is harsh and hair-raising. Therefore, 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, ensuring his protection and well-being. He instructed, “Bound with sacred cords, adorned with red garlands and unguents, approach the Viṣṇu-post and invoke the fire with words. And, O young sage, sing these two divine verses at the sacrifice of Ambarīṣa; then you will attain success.” Śunaḥśepa carefully took those two verses and quickly approached King Ambarīṣa, saying, “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 the sage’s son, the king, filled with joy, hurried to the sacrificial enclosure, tireless and eager. With the approval of the officiating priests, Ambarīṣa marked the sacrificial victim with a sacred sign and bound him to the post, clothing him in red garments. Thus bound, Śunaḥśepa praised Indra and Indra’s younger brother with excellent words, as was proper. Indra, the thousand-eyed, pleased by the secret hymn of praise, granted long life to Śunaḥśepa. The king, best among men, completed the sacrifice and obtained abundant fruit by the grace of Indra. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled and of great austerity, performed further penance at Puṣkara for another hundred years. Now, listen to 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 grant him the fruit of his austerity. Brahmā, radiant and brilliant, spoke pleasing words: “You are a sage, blessed one, by your own virtuous deeds.” Having spoken thus, the lord of the gods returned to heaven, and Viśvāmitra, full of energy, undertook even greater austerity. After a long time, Menakā, foremost among apsarases, came to bathe at Puṣkara. The mighty and radiant son of Kuśika beheld her beauty, incomparable, like lightning in a cloud. Overcome by desire, the sage welcomed her: “O apsaras, please stay here in my hermitage. Grant me your favor, blessed one, for I am bewildered by passion.” Menakā accepted and took up residence there. A great obstacle to his austerity befell Viśvāmitra while Menakā dwelt there, O Rāghava, for five years and five more. Those years passed pleasantly in the serene hermitage; then, when that time had elapsed, the great sage became ashamed, absorbed in anxiety and sorrow. A thought arose within him, 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. Seeing the fearful apsaras, trembling and standing with joined palms, Kuśika’s son released Menakā with gentle words. Then Viśvāmitra went to the northern mountain, resolved upon steadfastness and desiring to conquer himself. Reaching the bank of the Kauśikī, he undertook severe austerity, difficult to accomplish; for thousands of years he practiced fierce penance. 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.” Viśvāmitra, rich in austerity, with joined palms and bowed head, addressed Brahmā: “The incomparable title of Brahmarṣi, earned by my own virtuous deeds—if you declare it for me, O Lord, then I am one who has conquered the senses.” Brahmā replied, “You have not yet conquered the senses. Strive, O tiger among sages,” and departed to heaven. When the gods had gone, the great sage Viśvāmitra, undaunted, continued his journey of self-mastery.