Hearing the words of the gods, who were led by the Grandfather Brahmā, it was decided that sovereignty over the gods and whatever was in Viśvāmitra’s heart should be granted to him. All the hosts of the gods, with Brahmā at their head, approached the great-souled Viśvāmitra and spoke to him with sweet voices: “O Brahmarṣi, welcome! By your austerity, we are truly satisfied.” They praised him further, saying, “By your intense asceticism, O Kauśika, you have attained the status of a Brāhmaṇa. O Brahman, I, together with the Maruts, grant you long life. May you attain welfare, may good fortune be yours—go, gentle one, as you please.” Hearing these gracious words from Brahmā and the assembled gods, Viśvāmitra, filled with joy, bowed in reverence and spoke: “If I have indeed 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.” Pleased by the gods, Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of those who recite the Vedas, made friendship with the Brahmarṣi and said, “So be it. You are indeed a Brahmarṣi, without 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 reciters. His desire fulfilled, the great sage wandered the earth, established in asceticism. In this way, O Rāma, the great-souled Viśvāmitra attained the supreme status of Brāhmaṇa. This, O best of sages, is Rāma—this is asceticism embodied, this is the highest righteousness, ever constant, and this is the supreme refuge of valor. Having recounted this, the illustrious sage ceased speaking. After hearing Śatānanda’s words in the presence of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, Janaka, king of Mithilā, 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 you, O Brāhmaṇa, by your very sight, O great sage. Many 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, and having entered the hall, many virtues of yours have been heard. Your asceticism, strength, and virtues are truly 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 reciters, you are welcome—please grant me leave.” Thus addressed, the eminent sage Viśvāmitra praised Janaka, the best of men, and swiftly dismissed him, who was pleased and content. The lord of Mithilā, Vaideha Janaka, having spoken thus to the best of sages, circumambulated him with his teachers and relatives. Then Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, together with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, returned to his own abode, honored by the great-souled ones. Now, let the sixty-sixth sarga be heard 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. Honoring them with rites prescribed by scripture, the righteous king then addressed the great-souled 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.” Thus addressed by the great Janaka, the righteous sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, 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.” Hearing this, Janaka replied: “Let it be heard for what reason this bow is here. Devarata, renowned as the eldest of Nimi’s line, received this as a trust placed in his hand. Long ago, at the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the mighty Lord (Śiva) strung the bow and, in anger, shattered the gods, declaring: ‘Because you gods, seeking your share, did not allot me my portion, I will destroy your precious and divine limbs with this bow.’ Then, 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.” Janaka continued, “As I was ploughing the field, she arose from the furrow. While I was clearing the field, I found her, famed by the name Sītā; she who arose from the earth grew as my daughter. My daughter, born of no womb, was established as the prize for prowess; she who arose from the earth, growing as my own child. Kings came, O best of sages, seeking her hand; all the rulers of the earth desired to win my daughter.” Thus, the sacred history and the reason for the bow’s presence in Mithilā were revealed.