With the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha at their head, all the king’s counselors gathered and gave their assent. Viśvāmitra, the illustrious sage, addressed King Daśaratha, saying, “You should give me your son Rāma, who is so dear to you and unattached, for the purpose of my sacrifice. The period of the sacrifice is ten nights, and Rāma, lotus-eyed, will not be delayed beyond this time, O Rāghava, as I have promised.” Having spoken thus, the radiant sage Viśvāmitra fell silent. The king, hearing these auspicious words, was suddenly seized by overwhelming sorrow. His body trembled, and he became faint with distress. Regaining his senses, he rose, filled with fear and anxiety, for the sage’s request pierced both his heart and mind. Deeply troubled, the noble king wavered and rose from his seat, unable to contain his agitation. Now begins the twentieth sarga. Listen. Hearing Viśvāmitra’s request, Daśaratha, the tiger among kings, was for a moment insensible. Then, regaining his composure, he spoke with trembling voice: “My Rāma, lotus-eyed, is not yet sixteen years old. I do not see him fit for battle with the Rākṣasas. Here is my army, an Akṣauhiṇī, over which I am lord and master; with this force, I myself shall go and fight those night-roaming demons. My servants are valiant and mighty, skilled in the use of weapons; they are fit to fight the hosts of Rākṣasas—you should not take Rāma. “I myself, bow in hand, will protect you at the forefront of battle; as long as I have life, I shall fight the night-dwellers. Your vow will be fulfilled without hindrance and kept safe; I will go there, you should not take Rāma. He is a boy, untrained in knowledge, and does not know strength or weakness; he is not endowed with the power of weapons, nor is he skilled in battle. He is not fit to face the Rākṣasas, for they fight deceitfully. Separated from Rāma, I cannot endure even for a moment. “To live, O best of sages, I cannot bear to be without Rāma. But if you, O noble one, wish to take Rāghava, then take him with me, accompanied by a fourfold army. O Kauśika, I am already sixty thousand years old. He was obtained with great difficulty; you should not take Rāma. Of my four sons, my affection for him is supreme. You should not take Rāma, who is the eldest and foremost in righteousness. Tell me, what is the power of those Rākṣasas, whose sons are they, and who are they? How strong are they, and who protects them, O best of sages? And how should Rāma oppose those Rākṣasas? “Should I, with my own forces or with deceitful warriors, confront them in battle, O revered one? Tell me everything, how I should face them in war. One must stand firm against those of wicked intent, for the Rākṣasas are exceedingly proud of their strength.” Hearing these words, Viśvāmitra replied, “There is a Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa, born in the lineage of Paulastya. Granted a boon by Brahmā, he greatly troubles the three worlds. He is immensely powerful and mighty, surrounded by many Rākṣasas. It is said, O great king, that Rāvaṇa is the lord of the Rākṣasas. He is the brother of Vaiśravaṇa and the son of the sage Viśravas. Yet he himself does not directly disrupt the sacrifice, O mighty one. “Urged by him, two Rākṣasas of immense strength—Mārīca and Subāhu—are set to disrupt the sacrifice. Therefore, O knower of righteousness, show favor to my son. For I am of little fortune, and you, revered one, are like a deity to me. Gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, birds, and serpents are unable to withstand Rāvaṇa; how much less, then, can humans face him in battle? Rāvaṇa, in battle, takes the strength of the mighty. Therefore, I am unable to fight him or his forces. Even with my own strength, O best of sages, or together with my sons, I could in no way withstand in battle one who is like an immortal and skilled in warfare. “O Brāhmaṇa, I will not give my young son, nor will I give the boy, even though my two sons are equal to Sunda and Upasunda in battle. Those two, Mārīca and Subāhu, who disrupt the sacrifice, are mighty and well-trained; I will not give my son. With my friends and allies, I myself will go to fight one of them; otherwise, I will implore you, along with your kinsmen.” As Daśaratha spoke thus to the chief of the twice-born, a great anger entered the son of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra. Like fire well kindled and brightened with ghee in a sacrifice, the fire of the great sage blazed forth. Now begins the twenty-first sarga. Listen. Hearing the king’s words, choked with affection, the sage Kauśika, filled with anger, replied, “Having previously given your word, you now wish to abandon your promise; such a reversal does not befit the house of Raghu, nor this noble lineage. If this is your decision, O King, I shall depart as I came; O descendant of Kakutstha, be happy and well-regarded, though you have broken your promise.” As the wise Viśvāmitra was seized by anger, the entire earth trembled, and great fear arose among the gods. Perceiving that the whole world was struck with terror, the great sage Vasiṣṭha, steadfast and virtuous, spoke to the king: “Born in the line of Ikṣvāku, you are as if Dharma himself incarnate; steadfast, virtuous, and illustrious—you should not abandon righteousness.