Young sage Śunaḥśepa, having received counsel, was instructed to sing two sacred verses at King Ambarīṣa’s great sacrifice, for by doing so, he would surely attain success. With great care, Śunaḥśepa took the divine verses and hastened to address Ambarīṣa, that lion among kings. He spoke respectfully, “O king of kings, wise and illustrious, let us proceed quickly. Complete your vow and declare the sacrifice fulfilled.” Hearing these earnest words from the sage’s son, King Ambarīṣa was filled with joy. Without delay, he made his way to the sacrificial enclosure, tireless in his purpose. With the approval of the officiating priests, he marked the sacrificial victim with a sacred sign, dressed him in red garments, and bound him to the post as prescribed. Bound thus, Śunaḥśepa began to praise Indra and Indra’s younger brother with beautiful and fitting words. Pleased by the secret hymn of praise, Indra, the thousand-eyed lord of the heavens, granted Śunaḥśepa the boon of long life. King Ambarīṣa, the best among men, completed his sacrifice and, by the grace of Indra, received abundant rewards. Meanwhile, the great sage Viśvāmitra, righteous and steadfast in his vows, continued his penance at Puṣkara for another hundred years, deepening his austerities. 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, finding him purified after his vow, and wished to grant him the reward of his austerity. Brahmā, radiant and resplendent, addressed Viśvāmitra with kind words: “Blessed one, by your own virtuous deeds, you are now a sage.” Having spoken thus, Brahmā, the lord of the gods, returned to heaven. Yet Viśvāmitra, filled with energy, resolved to pursue even greater austerity. After some time, Menakā, the foremost of the heavenly apsarases, came to bathe at Puṣkara. The mighty and radiant Viśvāmitra, son of Kuśika, beheld her—her beauty incomparable, like lightning flashing within a cloud. Overcome by desire, Viśvāmitra welcomed her: “O apsaras, be pleased to remain here in my hermitage. Grant me your favor, for I am overcome with passion.” Menakā, thus addressed, agreed and took up residence with the sage. For five years, and then five more, Menakā dwelt in the tranquil hermitage of Viśvāmitra. Those years passed pleasantly, but when that time had ended, a deep sense of shame and sorrow overtook the great sage. He realized with indignation, “This must be the work of the gods—a great theft of my austerity. Ten years have slipped away, lost to desire and passion.” Remorse filled the eminent sage, and he sighed, afflicted by his lapse. Seeing Menakā trembling in fear, her hands joined in supplication, Viśvāmitra released her with gentle words. Resolute once more, he journeyed to the northern mountains, determined to conquer himself and his senses. There, on the banks of the Kauśikī, Viśvāmitra undertook severe and difficult austerities, practicing fierce penance for thousands of years. As Viśvāmitra’s penance blazed ever brighter, fear arose among the gods. All the gods, along with the sages, assembled and consulted together: “Let Kuśika’s son be granted the title of great sage.” Brahmā, the grandfather of all worlds, spoke sweetly to Viśvāmitra, “Welcome, O child. Your intense penance has pleased me. I grant you greatness and the highest status among sages.” Viśvāmitra, hands joined and head bowed, replied, “If you, O Lord, declare me a Brahmarṣi—one who has conquered the senses—by my own virtuous deeds, then I am truly fulfilled.” Brahmā answered, “You have not yet conquered the senses. Strive on, O tiger among sages.” Saying this, Brahmā departed for heaven. Left alone, Viśvāmitra renewed his vows with even greater intensity. He stood with arms raised, unsupported, subsisting only on air. In the heat, he stood amid five fires; in the rains, he remained exposed to the sky; and in winter, he lay in water by day and night. For a thousand years, he performed these terrible austerities. As Viśvāmitra’s penance grew ever fiercer, great distress arose among the gods and Indra. Seeking to disrupt his austerity, Indra, accompanied by the Maruts, approached the apsaras Rambhā. He spoke to her, “O Rambhā, the gods have a great task for you. Go and entice Kuśika’s son, filling him with desire and delusion.” Rambhā, bashful and with joined palms, replied, “O lord of the gods, Viśvāmitra is a terrible sage. Surely, he will unleash dreadful anger upon me, O god.” Thus, the gods and Indra plotted, and events were set in motion to test the resolve of Viśvāmitra, the great sage.