When King Daśaratha heard Viśvāmitra’s request to send Rāma with him, he was so overwhelmed that, for a moment, his senses deserted him. Regaining his composure, the king spoke with deep concern, “My Rāma, whose eyes are like lotuses, is not yet sixteen years old. I cannot see how he is fit to face the Rākṣasas in battle. I have at my command a mighty army—an entire Akṣauhiṇī—over which I am lord. With this force, I will go myself to confront those night-roaming demons. “These servants of mine are valiant and skilled in the use of weapons; they are well suited to fight the Rākṣasa hordes. You should not take Rāma. I myself, with bow in hand, will protect you at the forefront of battle. As long as I have life, I will fight the night-dwellers and ensure your vow is fulfilled, unhindered and safe. I will go there; you should not take Rāma. “He is still a boy, untrained in knowledge of strength and weakness, not yet endowed with the power of weapons, nor skilled in the art of battle. He is not fit to face the Rākṣasas, who are masters of deceit. I cannot bear to be separated from Rāma, not even for a moment. To live without him is unbearable, O best of sages. But if you truly wish to take Rāghava, then let me come with you, accompanied by my fourfold army. O Kauśika, I am already sixty thousand years old. I obtained Rāma after great difficulty; you should not take him from me. Of all my four sons, my affection for him is supreme. “You must not take Rāma, who is the eldest and foremost in righteousness. Tell me, what is the power of these Rākṣasas? Whose sons are they, and who are they? How strong are they, and who protects them, O best of sages? How should Rāma oppose such Rākṣasas? Should I confront them with my own forces, or with cunning warriors? Tell me everything, so that I may face them properly in battle. 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 son of the sage Viśravas. Yet, Rāvaṇa himself does not directly disrupt the sacrifice. Urged by him, two Rākṣasas of immense strength—Mārīca and Subāhu—come to disrupt the sacred rites. “Therefore, O knower of righteousness, show favor to my request for your 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, drains 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, great anger flared within Viśvāmitra, the son of Kuśika—his wrath blazing like a sacrificial fire brightened with ghee. Hearing these words, choked with affection, the sage Kauśika, his anger kindled, replied to the king: “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 the world 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. Rāghava is renowned in all three worlds as one devoted to righteousness. Adhere to your own duty, for you should not bear unrighteousness. “He who, having promised ‘I will do it,’ fails to act as he has spoken, destroys his merit and good deeds. Therefore, send Rāma. Whether skilled in weapons or not, the Rākṣasas will not be able to harm him, for he is protected by the son of Kuśika, as nectar is guarded by fire. He is righteousness embodied, foremost among the mighty, surpassing all in knowledge, and wholly devoted to austerity. He alone knows the various weapons in all the three worlds, among moving and unmoving beings; no other man knows them, nor will any come to know.” Thus, the assembled sages and the king stood at a crossroads, with righteousness and destiny guiding their next steps.