O Rāma, listen to the tale of the great sage Viśvāmitra, whose journey through asceticism was both arduous and extraordinary. Once, overcome by anger and the loss of his ascetic power, this great-souled sage—whose senses were not yet fully mastered—found no peace within himself. His mind was deeply troubled by the disruption of his asceticism, and he resolved within: “I will not give in to anger, nor will I speak in any way.” Determined, he thought, “Or else, I shall not breathe even for hundreds of years; I will dry up myself, having conquered my senses. Until I attain the status of a Brāhmaṇa, earned through asceticism, I will remain without breathing or eating for countless years. While I am practicing austerities, my bodily form shall not perish.” Thus, Viśvāmitra undertook an unparalleled vow for a thousand years, his resolve shining forth in the world. Leaving behind the Himalayan region, the great sage journeyed eastward, performing exceedingly severe austerities. He embraced a vow of silence for a thousand years, undertaking incomparable and supremely difficult asceticism. When those thousand years were completed, Viśvāmitra, who had become like wood and endured many obstacles, did not allow anger to enter his heart. Having made this resolve, he engaged in inexhaustible asceticism, and upon fulfilling the thousand-year vow, he finally began to eat food. At that time, Indra, taking the form of a Brāhmaṇa, approached him and asked for the food that Viśvāmitra had prepared. The sage gave all the food to the Brāhmaṇa, as he had determined, and when nothing remained, he himself went without eating. He spoke nothing to the Brāhmaṇa, maintaining his vow of silence, and again observed silence and refrained from breathing. Then, for another thousand years, the foremost sage did not breathe. As he remained without breath, smoke arose from his head, disturbing the three worlds as if afflicted. The gods, sages, gandharvas, serpents, and rākṣasas were bewildered by his asceticism and brilliance, their own radiance dimmed. All, afflicted by distress, approached the grandsire Brahmā, saying, “O god, the great sage Viśvāmitra, having been tempted and angered for many reasons, increases all the more in his ascetic power. Indeed, not even the slightest fault is seen in him. If what he desires in his heart is not granted, he will destroy the three worlds, with all their moving and unmoving beings, by his asceticism. All directions are disturbed, and nothing is visible. The oceans are agitated, the mountains shattered, the earth trembles, and the wind blows violently, causing confusion. O Brahmā, we do not know what to do; no one becomes an unbeliever, but the three worlds are bewildered, their minds greatly disturbed. Even the sun has lost its brilliance because of the great sage’s radiance. Until the sage is appeased, O god, no one can think clearly. Until then, the fire-like, greatly radiant sage will burn up the three worlds entirely, just as the fire of destruction did before. Let the sovereignty of the gods be offered to him; let whatever is in his mind be given.” Then all the hosts of gods, led by the Grandfather Brahmā, spoke sweet words to the great-souled Viśvāmitra: “O Brahmarṣi, welcome to you! By your austerity, we are truly satisfied. By your intense asceticism, O Kauśika, you have attained the status of a Brāhmaṇa. I, together with the Maruts, grant you long life. May you attain welfare, may good fortune be yours; go, gentle one, as you please.” Having heard these words, spoken by all the dwellers of heaven, Viśvāmitra, with joy, made obeisance and spoke: “If I have attained Brāhmaṇahood and long life as well, then let the syllable Oṃ, the Vaṣaṭ call, and the Vedas themselves choose me. Let me be the foremost among those who know the Kṣatra Veda and even among those who know the Brahma Veda. Let Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā, declare this of me before the gods. If this supreme wish is fulfilled, let the best of the gods depart.” Then, pleased by the gods, Vasiṣṭha, foremost of those who recite, made friendship with the Brahmarṣi and said, “So be it. You are indeed a Brahmarṣi, there is no doubt; all is accomplished for you.” Having spoken thus, all the gods departed as they had come. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, having obtained the highest Brāhmaṇahood, honored the Brahmarṣi Vasiṣṭha, foremost of those who recite. Having fulfilled his desire, he wandered over the whole earth, established in asceticism. In this way, O Rāma, the great-souled one attained Brāhmaṇahood. This, O best of sages, is Rāma; this is asceticism embodied; this is the highest righteousness, ever constant; this is the supreme refuge of valor. Having spoken thus, the illustrious sage ceased. After hearing Śatānanda’s words in the presence of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, King Janaka, with joined palms, spoke to the son of Kuśika: “Blessed am I, favored am I, O foremost of sages, by whose presence you have come to my sacrifice accompanied by the descendant of Kakutstha. I am purified by you, O Brāhmaṇa, by your very sight, O great sage. Many and various virtues have come to me through seeing you; and, O Brāhmaṇa, your great austerity has been extolled in detail. I have heard, O illustrious one, from Rāma the great-souled, and from the assembly, and having entered the hall, many virtues of yours have been heard.