As time passed in Ayodhyā, King Daśaratha found himself supremely delighted, much like Brahmā, the Grandfather among the gods, when surrounded by beings endowed with wisdom and virtue. His sons—modest, renowned, omniscient, and farsighted—shone with radiance and power. Their father rejoiced at their qualities, for these tiger-like princes were deeply devoted to the study of the Vedas. Not only were they committed to learning, but they also served their father with great reverence and had mastered the science of archery. Seeing their maturity and accomplishments, King Daśaratha began to contemplate their marriage rites. In consultation with his teachers and relatives, the righteous king pondered this important step among his ministers. At that moment, the great sage Viśvāmitra, whose splendor was immense, arrived at the palace, seeking an audience with the king. He spoke to the gatekeepers, commanding, “Quickly announce the arrival of Kauśika, son of Gādhi.” Hearing his words, the attendants hurried to the king’s palace, their minds stirred by the urgency. They approached the royal residence and informed King Daśaratha, descendant of Ikṣvāku, that Viśvāmitra had come. The king, along with his priests, became attentive upon hearing this news. Filled with joy, Daśaratha went forth to greet the sage, as Indra would approach Brahmā. He beheld the ascetic, blazing with radiance and steadfast in his vows. With his face aglow with delight, Daśaratha offered Viśvāmitra water for welcoming, observing the scriptural rite. The sage accepted the arghya from the king. Then, Viśvāmitra inquired about Daśaratha’s welfare and the prosperity of his city, treasury, country, 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. Viśvāmitra greeted Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage, and inquired after his well-being. He also greeted the other seers present, as was proper. All, their hearts gladdened, entered the king’s residence. Honored by Daśaratha, they took their seats as befitted their status. Then the king, his mind delighted, addressed Viśvāmitra with great reverence. “Your arrival is like 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 great fortune. O great sage, I consider your coming thus. Welcome! 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, so pleasing to the heart and spoken with humility by the self-controlled and renowned king, the eminent seer Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. Now begins the nineteenth section of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Viśvāmitra, radiant and mighty, heard the wondrous and detailed words of the lion among kings. His hair stood on end as he spoke, “Such conduct is fitting for you alone, O tiger among kings, and for none other on earth, born of a great lineage and bearing the name of Vasiṣṭha. What I hold in my heart—the resolve for this task—you must accomplish, O tiger among kings; be true to your promise. I observe a vow for its fulfillment, O best of men, but two demons, who can assume any form at will, obstruct it. When the vow has been performed many times and is near completion, these two powerful and well-trained demons, Mārīca and Subāhu, appear. They shower the altar with streams of flesh and blood, defiling the rite and hindering its completion. Exhausted and discouraged, I withdraw from that place; yet, O king, I do not allow anger to overcome me. Such is the situation: the practice is thus, and the curse is not lifted there. O tiger among kings, you must give me your son Rāma, whose valor is true. You should give me your eldest son, Rāma, the heroic youth with hair like a crow’s wing. Protected by my own divine power, he is capable. He will destroy those demons who are the spoilers, and I will bestow upon him manifold blessings—there is no doubt. By him, fame will be attained in all three worlds, and those two cannot stand against Rāma in any way. No one other than Rāma, son of Raghu, is able to slay those two, who are arrogant in their strength and bound by the noose of time. Those two are not equal to the great-souled Rāma, O tiger among kings; nor should you let affection for your son sway you, O ruler.” Thus, Viśvāmitra made his request known, and the king listened with a heart full of awe and reverence.