Having fulfilled his heart’s desire, that great ascetic wandered the whole earth, steadfast in his spiritual practices. In this way, O Rāma, that noble soul attained the highest state of Brāhmaṇahood. This, O best of sages, is the true embodiment of asceticism, the very essence of righteousness, unwavering and supreme, the ultimate refuge of valor itself. When the illustrious sage had thus spoken, he fell silent. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa listened attentively to Śatānanda’s words, surrounded by the assembly. Then, with joined palms, King Janaka addressed the son of Kuśika with deep reverence: “Blessed and favored indeed am I, O foremost of sages, for you have graced my sacrifice with your presence, accompanied by the scion of the Kakutstha line. O Brāhmaṇa, simply by beholding you, I am purified; your presence sanctifies me, O great sage. “Many and various virtues have come to me through seeing you, and your great austerities have been extolled in detail. I have heard, O illustrious one, from the noble Rāma himself and from the assembly, and upon entering the hall, I have learned of your many virtues. Your asceticism, your strength, and your virtues are all immeasurable, O son of Kuśika—truly limitless. “My heart’s satisfaction in hearing these wondrous tales knows no end. Yet, O best of sages, the time for my daily duties approaches as the sun nears its zenith. At dawn tomorrow, O illustrious one, please visit me again; you who are the best among those who recite the scriptures, you are always welcome—please grant me leave for now.” Thus addressed, the eminent sage Viśvāmitra, having praised the best of men, graciously dismissed Janaka, who departed pleased and content. The lord of Mithilā, Vaideha, after speaking thus to the best of sages, circumambulated him with his teachers and relatives as a mark of deep respect. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, then returned to his abode with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, honored by all the assembled noble souls. Now begins the sixty-sixth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. At the break of dawn, when the day was pure and fresh, King Janaka, having performed his morning duties, summoned the great-souled Viśvāmitra along with the sons of Raghu. The righteous king, after honoring Viśvāmitra with all the rites prescribed by scripture, then addressed the noble sons of Daśaratha with great respect: “O revered ones, welcome! What service may I render you, O faultless ones? Please command me, for I am ever ready to obey your wishes.” Thus addressed by the great-souled Janaka, the sage Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied: “These two are the sons of Daśaratha, renowned kṣatriyas. They wish to see the excellent bow that is in your possession. Blessings upon you—show this bow to the princes, whose wishes are always fulfilled. After seeing it, they may depart as they desire.” Janaka then replied to the sage: “Let me tell you, O revered one, how this bow came to be here. Long ago, Devarata, eldest among the descendants of Nimi, received this bow as a sacred trust. In ancient times, during the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the mighty Lord Shiva strung this bow. In anger, he overpowered the gods and declared: ‘Because you gods, seeking your share, did not allot me my portion, I shall destroy your precious and divine limbs with this bow.’ “All the gods, distressed and fearful, sought to appease Bhava, the Lord of the gods, and he was pleased with their supplications. Out of his grace, he bestowed this jewel of a bow upon them. Thereafter, as a trust, it was deposited with our ancestor, the illustrious king. It was during my time, as I was ploughing the field, that the goddess Sītā arose from the furrow. While clearing the field, I found her—she who is famed by the name Sītā, born from the earth, grew up as my own daughter. “My daughter, born of no womb, was established as the prize for valor; she who arose from the earth was raised as my child. Many kings from all regions came, seeking her hand, for all the rulers of the earth desired to win my daughter. I declared, ‘O revered ones, I will not give my daughter except to one who proves his prowess.’ Then, all the assembled kings, eager to prove their strength, came to Mithilā. For those who wished to be tested, the bow of Shiva was brought forth. “Yet none among them could so much as grasp or lift that bow. Seeing their strength fail, the kings, feeling insulted, besieged Mithilā in their anger and doubt. Overcome with wrath, they afflicted my city, and when a full year had passed, their resources were exhausted. Greatly distressed, I propitiated all the hosts of gods with my austerities. The gods, delighted, granted me an army of four divisions. Thus, the defeated kings were routed and fled in all directions. “Those powerless and doubting their own strength, together with their ministers, were vanquished—such is the story of this supremely radiant bow. O steadfast one, I will now show this bow to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. If Rāma can string this bow, O sage, then I shall give my daughter Sītā, born without a womb, to the son of Daśaratha.