The four sons of King Daśaratha, devoted to serving their father and well-trained in the noble science of archery, had reached a time in their lives when thoughts of their marriage began to arise. King Daśaratha, righteous and wise, gathered his teachers and relatives to discuss the matter. As he pondered these important rites with his ministers, something extraordinary occurred. At that very moment, the great sage Viśvāmitra, radiant and powerful, arrived at the palace gates. Desiring an audience with the king, he spoke to the gatekeepers, announcing his presence as Kauśika, the son of Gādhi, and instructed them to inform the king of his arrival without delay. The attendants, their minds stirred by the sage’s command, hurried to the royal palace. Approaching King Daśaratha, they announced the arrival of the illustrious Viśvāmitra. Upon hearing this, the king, accompanied by his priests, immediately became attentive and alert. With joy in his heart, Daśaratha went forth to welcome the sage, just as Indra himself would hasten to meet Brahmā. He beheld Viśvāmitra, glowing with the fire of asceticism and steadfast in his vows, and his own face lit up with delight. The king offered Viśvāmitra water for washing his feet and hands, a gesture of honor and hospitality performed according to sacred rites. The sage accepted the arghya from the king, and then inquired after Daśaratha’s welfare—about his city, his treasury, his kingdom, and the well-being of his relatives and friends. Viśvāmitra also asked whether the king’s vassals and neighboring enemies were kept in check, and if both divine and human duties were being properly observed. Meeting with Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of sages, Viśvāmitra respectfully inquired after his well-being as well. Greeting the other assembled seers, Viśvāmitra exchanged warm words as was proper, and all present, their hearts gladdened, entered the king’s residence together. Honored by Daśaratha, the sages took their seats in the royal hall. Then, with his mind filled with delight, the generous king addressed Viśvāmitra with deep reverence. “Your arrival, O great sage, is as precious to me as nectar to the thirsty, as rain in a drought, as the birth of a son to the childless, as the recovery of something lost, or as the joy of great fortune. Such is the happiness your presence brings me. Welcome! What is your highest wish? What can I do to gladden your heart? You are worthy of all my reverence. By great good fortune you have come, bestower of honor. Today my birth is fulfilled, my life has meaning, for I have seen the lord of Brāhmaṇas. Once you were a royal sage, your brilliance kindled by austerity; now you have attained the status of a Brahmarṣi and are worthy of the highest worship. This is a wondrous and supremely pure event for me. By your presence, O lord, I am blessed with merit. Tell me, what is the purpose for which you have come? I wish to be favored by you and to serve your purpose. Please, do not hesitate to state your request. Though I am the agent in all things, you are my divine protector. This is my great fortune, and all righteousness arises from your arrival.” Hearing these humble and heartfelt words, spoken with sincerity by the self-controlled king, whose virtues and fame were well known, the great sage Viśvāmitra was filled with joy. Now, let the next part of this sacred tale be heard. Hearing the king’s wondrous and detailed words, the radiant and mighty Viśvāmitra spoke, his hair standing on end with delight. “Such conduct is fitting for you alone, O tiger among kings, and for none other on earth. You are born of a great lineage and bear the name of Vasiṣṭha. What I hold in my heart, the resolve for which I have come, you must accomplish, O lion among kings—be true to your promise. “I am observing a vow for its fulfillment, O best of men, but two demons, skilled in changing their forms at will, obstruct me. When the vow is nearly complete, these two powerful and cunning demons, Mārīca and Subāhu, appear. They defile the altar with showers of flesh and blood, making it impossible to complete the sacred rite. Exhausted and discouraged, I must withdraw each time, yet I do not allow anger to consume me. “This is the situation, O king. The practice is thus, and the curse remains unbroken. Therefore, O tiger among kings, you must give me your son Rāma, whose valor is true. Lend me your eldest son, the heroic youth with hair as dark as a crow’s wing. Protected by my own divine power, he will be safe and capable. “He will destroy those demons who spoil the sacrifice, and I will bestow upon him manifold blessings—there is no doubt. Through him, fame will spread throughout the three worlds, for those two cannot stand against Rāma in any way. No one but Rāma, son of Raghu, is able to slay those demons, who are arrogant in their strength and bound by the noose of time. They are not equal to the great-souled Rāma, O king; do not let your affection for your son deter you. “I promise you: know that those two demons will be slain. I know Rāma, the great-souled one, whose valor is true. Vasiṣṭha, radiant in ascetic power, and all those steadfast in austerity, also know his greatness. If you desire righteousness and supreme fame on earth, if you seek steadfastness, O king, then grant me Rāma—if your ministers, O descendant of Kakutstha, give their approval.” Thus, with great purpose and sincerity, Viśvāmitra made his request known to King Daśaratha.