King Daśaratha, his face radiant with joy, welcomed the great sage Viśvāmitra with the customary offering of water, honoring him according to sacred tradition. Viśvāmitra graciously accepted the arghya, and then, with warm concern, asked after the king’s welfare—inquiring about the prosperity of the city, the treasury, the kingdom, and the well-being of his relatives and friends. The virtuous Kauśika further questioned Daśaratha about the state of his vassals and the neighboring enemies, whether they had been subdued and peace maintained. He also asked if both divine and human duties were being properly fulfilled. Upon meeting Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among sages, Viśvāmitra inquired after his welfare as well, and extended respectful greetings to all the other seers present. Their hearts uplifted by the sage’s presence, all entered the king’s residence together. Inside, the king honored the sages, offering them seats befitting their status. With his heart overflowing with delight, Daśaratha addressed Viśvāmitra, his words filled with reverence and gratitude. He declared that the sage’s arrival was as precious as nectar, as life-giving as rain during drought, as joyous as the birth of a son to one who had none, as comforting as regaining something lost, and as exhilarating as the sudden acquisition of great fortune. Daśaratha welcomed Viśvāmitra wholeheartedly, asking what his highest wish might be, eager to fulfill it and expressing how honored he felt by the sage’s presence. “You are worthy of my reverence, O Brāhmaṇa,” Daśaratha said. “By good fortune you have come. Today my birth is fulfilled, and my life well-lived. Having 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 Brahmarṣi and are worthy of manifold worship. This is a wondrous and supremely pure event for me. By your presence, O lord, I have entered 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, and all this supreme righteousness arises from your arrival.” These words, spoken with humility and devotion, gladdened Viśvāmitra’s heart. The eminent sage, renowned for his virtues and fame, was filled with supreme joy. Now begins the nineteenth section of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Hearing the king’s wondrous and heartfelt words, the radiant and mighty Viśvāmitra spoke, his hair standing on end from emotion. “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 the sake of its fulfillment, O best of men; yet two demons, able to 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 sacrifice and hindering its completion. Exhausted and discouraged, I withdraw from that place, yet, O king, I do not allow anger to overtake 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. “Through 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. “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 who are steadfast in austerity, also know him. If you desire righteousness and supreme fame on earth—if you desire steadfastness, O king, you should grant me Rāma; if your ministers, O descendant of Kakutstha, give their approval. “Then, with Vasiṣṭha at their head, let all your counselors consent, and you should give me your son Rāma, who is dear to you and unattached. For the period of the sacrifice is ten nights, and Rāma, lotus-eyed, will not be delayed beyond the time of the sacrifice, O Rāghava, as I have said.” Having spoken thus, the great and radiant sage Viśvāmitra fell silent. Hearing these auspicious words, the king of kings, Daśaratha, was seized by great sorrow. He trembled, and became faint; regaining his senses, he rose, filled with fear and anxiety. The sage’s request pierced his heart and mind, and the noble king, deeply troubled, wavered and rose from his seat. Now begins the twentieth section. Hearing Viśvāmitra’s words, Daśaratha, the tiger among kings, was momentarily insensible. Regaining his composure, he prepared to speak, his heart heavy with emotion.