Vasiṣṭha, filled with supreme joy, bestowed names upon the newborn princes: he named Saumitri as Lakṣmaṇa, and the other as Śatrughna. To celebrate their birth, he arranged for the Brāhmaṇas, citizens, and people of the land to be fed lavishly, and gifted the Brāhmaṇas a great abundance of precious gems. All the proper rites of birth and other ceremonies were performed for the princes. Among them, Rāma, the eldest, shone like a banner, bringing delight to his father. Once again, Daśaratha was esteemed among all beings, much like Svayambhū himself. The princes were learned in the Vedas, heroic, and devoted to the welfare of the world. Each was endowed with knowledge and adorned with virtues, but among them, Rāma stood apart, steadfast in truth and valor, radiant in splendor. Rāma was beloved by all, as pure as the moon, and excelled in riding elephants, horses, and driving chariots. He was devoted to the science of archery and eager to serve his father. From childhood, Lakṣmaṇa grew in fortune and was exceedingly affectionate, always devoted to Rāma, his elder brother and the delight of the world. Lakṣmaṇa brought joy to all, and even to Rāma himself. Lakṣmaṇa, endowed with prosperity, was like Rāma’s external vital breath, and the best of men could not sleep without him. When delicious food was brought, Rāma would not eat without Lakṣmaṇa. Whenever Rāma mounted a horse to go hunting, Lakṣmaṇa would follow behind, armed with a bow, protecting him. Similarly, Śatrughna was always devoted to Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa’s younger brother, and followed him in the same way. Śatrughna was always dearer to Bharata than life itself, and likewise beloved. Thus, Daśaratha was cherished by his four illustrious sons. The king was supremely delighted, like the Grandfather among the gods, for all his sons were endowed with knowledge and adorned with virtues—modest, renowned, omniscient, and farsighted. Among them all, they were radiant and powerful. Their father, Daśaratha, rejoiced like Brahmā, lord of the worlds, as his tiger-like sons devoted themselves to Vedic study. They served their father faithfully and mastered the science of archery. Then King Daśaratha began to consider their marriage rites. The righteous king, together with his teachers and relatives, pondered this matter. As he was thinking among his ministers, that great-souled one, The great sage Viśvāmitra, of immense splendor, arrived, desiring an audience with the king. He spoke to the gatekeepers, “Quickly announce to me the arrival of Kauśika, the son of Gādhi.” Hearing this command, the attendants rushed to the king’s palace, their minds agitated by the sage’s words. They approached the royal palace where Viśvāmitra was present and informed the king of the Ikṣvāku line that Viśvāmitra had arrived. Hearing their words, the king, along with his priests, became attentive. With joy, Daśaratha went forth to meet the sage, as Indra would go to Brahmā. Seeing the ascetic, blazing with radiance and firm in his vows, the king’s face beamed with delight. He offered Viśvāmitra water for welcoming, and the sage accepted the arghya from the king, according to scriptural rite. Viśvāmitra then inquired of the king about his welfare and unchanging prosperity—in the city, the treasury, the country, among relatives and friends. The virtuous Kauśika also asked whether all vassals and neighboring enemies had been subdued, and whether both divine and human duties had been properly performed. Meeting with Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage, he inquired of his well-being too, and greeted the other seers present, as was proper. All of them, their hearts gladdened, entered the king’s residence. Honored by the king, they took their seats as was fitting. Then Daśaratha, his mind delighted, addressed the great sage Viśvāmitra. The supremely generous king, rejoicing and honoring him, spoke: “Your arrival is like receiving nectar, like rain in a drought, like the birth of a son to one without children, like regaining what was lost, like the joy of a great fortune. So too, O great sage, I consider your coming as such. Welcome to you! What is your highest wish? What shall I do, so gladdened by your presence? “You are worthy of my reverence, O Brāhmaṇa. By good fortune you have come, O bestower of honor. Today my birth is fulfilled, and my life well-lived. Because I have seen the lord of Brāhmaṇas, my night has become truly auspicious. Once called a royal sage, your brilliance was kindled by austerity. Now you have attained the status of a Brahmarṣi, and are worthy of my manifold worship. This is a wondrous and supremely pure event for me, O Brāhmaṇa. By your presence, O lord, I have come into a field of merit. Tell me what purpose you seek, for which you have come. I wish to be favored by you, and to contribute to your purpose. You, steadfast in vows, ought not hesitate to state your request. I am indeed the agent in all things, yet you are my divine protector. This great fortune has come to me, O Brahmin, and all this supreme righteousness arises from your arrival.” Hearing these words, pleasing to the heart and spoken with humility by the self-controlled king, whose virtues and fame were renowned, the eminent seer Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. Let the nineteenth section be heard. This is the nineteenth section in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Upon hearing the wondrous and detailed words of Daśaratha, the lion among kings, the radiant and mighty Viśvāmitra spoke, his hair standing on end.