The gods, bewildered and troubled, turned to Brahmā in their distress. They confessed, “O Brahmā, we do not know what to do; no one among us has lost faith, yet the three worlds are bewildered, their minds deeply disturbed.” Such was the confusion caused by the radiance of the great sage Viśvāmitra, whose brilliance even dimmed the sun itself. The gods realized that until Viśvāmitra was appeased, no one could think clearly, so powerful was his ascetic energy. They feared that, unless something was done, the fire-like, radiant sage would burn up the three worlds entirely, just as the fire of destruction had done in ages past. So, they resolved to offer him the sovereignty of the gods, to grant whatever was in his mind. Led by Brahmā, the Grandfather of all, the hosts of gods approached Viśvāmitra and spoke sweet words: “O Brahmarṣi, welcome to you! By your austerity, we are truly satisfied.” Brahmā addressed him, “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 and good fortune, gentle one. Go as you please.” Hearing these words from Brahmā and all the dwellers of heaven, Viśvāmitra joyfully made obeisance and replied, “If I have attained Brāhmaṇahood and long life as well, let the syllable Oṃ, the Vaṣaṭ call, and the Vedas themselves choose me. Let me be foremost among those who know the Kṣatra Veda and among those who know the Brahma Veda.” He requested, “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.” Pleased, Vasiṣṭha, foremost among reciters, made friendship with Viśvāmitra and said, “So be it. You are indeed a Brahmarṣi, there is no doubt; all is accomplished for you.” With this, the gods departed as they had come. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, having obtained the highest Brāhmaṇahood, honored Vasiṣṭha, the foremost Brahmarṣi. Having fulfilled his desire, he wandered over the earth, established in asceticism. Thus, O Rāma, the great-souled Viśvāmitra attained Brāhmaṇahood. Śatānanda, the illustrious sage, concluded, “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.” After hearing these words in the presence of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, King Janaka, with joined palms, spoke to Viśvāmitra: “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.” Janaka continued, “Many and various virtues have come to me through seeing you; and your great austerity has been extolled in detail. I have heard, O illustrious one, from Rāma the great-souled, and from the assembly, many virtues of yours. Your asceticism, strength, and virtues are immeasurable, O son of Kuśika, ever. 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; you are welcome—please grant me leave.” Thus addressed, Viśvāmitra praised Janaka and swiftly dismissed him, who was pleased and content. The lord of Mithilā, Vaideha, together with his teachers and relatives, circumambulated the sage. Then Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, together with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, returned to his own abode, honored by the great-souled ones. Let the sixty-sixth sarga now be heard in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. At dawn, when the day was pure, King Janaka, having performed his duties, summoned the great-souled Viśvāmitra, along with the Raghavas. Honoring him with rites prescribed by scripture, the righteous king spoke to the sons of Raghu, “Revered sir, welcome to you! What shall I do for you, O faultless one? Please command me, for I am to be commanded by you.” Viśvāmitra replied, “These two are the sons of Daśaratha, renowned kṣatriyas; they wish to see the excellent bow that is with you. Show this, blessings to you, to the princes whose wishes are fulfilled; after seeing this bow, they may depart as they desire.” Janaka responded, “Let it be heard for what reason this bow is here.” He explained, “Devarata, renowned as the eldest of Nimi, the king, received this as a trust placed in his hand. Long ago, at the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the mighty one strung the bow, and in anger shattered the gods, then spoke these words: ‘Because you gods, seeking your share, did not allot me my portion, I will destroy your precious and divine limbs with this bow.’” “All the gods, distressed, sought to appease the Lord of the gods, and Bhava became pleased with them. Pleased with all those great souls, he gave them this jewel of a bow, belonging to the great-souled Lord of the gods. Then, as a trust, it was deposited with our ancestor, the illustrious one; and as I was ploughing the field, she arose from the furrow.