When the thousand years of his arduous penance were completed, the great sage Viśvāmitra, though worn and hardened like wood by countless trials, did not allow anger to enter his heart. Resolute in his purpose, O Rāma, he immersed himself in ceaseless asceticism. When the vow of a thousand years was fulfilled, the mighty ascetic prepared to take food once more. At that very moment, O best of Raghu’s line, Indra, assuming the form of a Brāhmaṇa, approached and asked him for the food he had prepared. True to his resolve, Viśvāmitra gave all the food to the Brāhmaṇa, keeping nothing for himself. When everything had been given away, the great ascetic did not eat at all. Maintaining his vow of silence, he uttered not a word to the Brāhmaṇa, and again observed silence so deep that he even restrained his breath. Then, for yet another thousand years, the foremost of sages remained without breathing. As he continued in this profound stillness, smoke began to rise from his head. The smoke disturbed the three worlds, as if they were afflicted by some great calamity. The gods, sages, gandharvas, serpents, and rākṣasas were all bewildered by the force and brilliance of his asceticism, their own radiance dimmed. Distressed and confused, they all approached the grandsire, Brahmā. They pleaded, “O Lord, the great sage Viśvāmitra, though tempted and provoked in many ways, only increases in his ascetic power. Not even the slightest fault can be found in him. If his heart’s desire is not granted, he will, by his penance, destroy the three worlds with all their moving and unmoving beings. All directions are disturbed, nothing can be seen. The oceans are agitated, mountains are shattered, the earth trembles, and fierce winds blow, sowing confusion everywhere. “O Brahmā, we do not know what to do. None of us turns away from faith, but the three worlds are bewildered and our minds are greatly disturbed. Even the sun has lost its brilliance in the presence of this great sage’s radiance. Until Viśvāmitra is appeased, no one can think clearly. Until then, O blessed one, 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 granted.” Thus resolved, all the hosts of gods, led by the Grandfather Brahmā, approached Viśvāmitra and spoke sweet words: “O Brahmarṣi, welcome to you! By your austerity, we are truly satisfied. “O Kauśika, by your intense asceticism, you have attained the status of a Brāhmaṇa. And I, together with the Maruts, grant you long life. May you attain welfare and good fortune, and go as you please.” Hearing these words from the Grandfather, spoken by all the dwellers of heaven, Viśvāmitra, filled with joy, bowed and spoke: “If I have truly attained Brāhmaṇahood and long life, then let the sacred syllable Oṃ, the Vaṣaṭ call, and the Vedas themselves choose me. Let me be foremost among those who know the Kṣatra Veda, and even among those who know the Brahma Veda. Let Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā, declare this before the gods. If this supreme wish is fulfilled, let the best of the gods depart.” Then, pleased by the gods, Vasiṣṭha, foremost among reciters of sacred lore, 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 attained the highest Brāhmaṇahood, honored the Brahmarṣi Vasiṣṭha, foremost among reciters. His heart’s desire fulfilled, Viśvāmitra wandered the earth, ever established in his asceticism. In this way, O Rāma, the great-souled one attained Brāhmaṇahood. This, O best of sages, is Viśvāmitra; this is asceticism incarnate; this is the highest righteousness, ever constant; this is the supreme refuge of valor. Having thus spoken, the illustrious sage ceased. Upon hearing Śatānanda’s words in the presence of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, King Janaka, with joined palms, addressed 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 your very sight, O Brāhmaṇa, O great sage. Many and various virtues have come to me through seeing you; your great austerity has been extolled in detail. I have heard, O illustrious one, from Rāma the great-souled, and from the assembly, and within the hall, many virtues of yours have been recounted. Your asceticism is immeasurable, your strength is immeasurable, your virtues are ever immeasurable, O son of Kuśika. “My satisfaction with these wondrous tales knows no end, O lord; but, O best of sages, the time for duties draws near as the sun approaches its circle. Tomorrow at dawn, O illustrious one, you should see me again. O best of those who recite, you are always welcome—please grant me leave.” Thus addressed, the eminent sage praised the best of men and swiftly dismissed Janaka, who departed pleased and content. The lord of Mithilā, Vaideha, having spoken thus to the best of sages, circumambulated him with his teachers and relatives. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, together with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, then returned to his own abode, honored by the great-souled ones. Now begins the sixty-sixth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. At dawn, when the day was pure, King Janaka, having performed his morning duties, summoned the great-souled Viśvāmitra along with the Raghavas.