King Daśaratha, his heart heavy with concern, addressed the revered sage Viśvāmitra with great humility and affection. “O knower of righteousness,” he pleaded, “show favor to my son. I am a man of little fortune, and you, venerable one, are as a deity to me. Even the gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, birds, and serpents cannot withstand Rāvaṇa; how then could mere humans hope to face him in battle? Rāvaṇa’s power is unmatched—he drains the strength of even the mightiest warriors. I am unable to fight him or his forces, even with my own strength or with the help of my sons. He is like an immortal, skilled in warfare, and I cannot withstand him, even with my sons at my side. “O Brāhmaṇa, I cannot give you my young son, nor can I send him forth, though both my sons are as mighty as Sunda and Upasunda in battle. Those two demons, Mārīca and Subāhu, who disrupt your sacrifice, are both powerful and well-trained; I cannot give you my son. With my friends and allies, I will go myself to confront one of them; otherwise, I must implore you, and your kin, for help.” Hearing these words, the great sage Viśvāmitra, son of Kuśika, was seized by a blazing anger—like sacrificial fire fed with ghee—at the king’s reluctance and wavering from his promise. Now, listen to the next chapter in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa. Viśvāmitra, his voice trembling with emotion and anger, replied to Daśaratha, “You gave your word, and now you 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, may you be happy and well-regarded, though you have broken your word.” As the wise Viśvāmitra’s anger grew, the entire earth trembled and the gods were filled with fear. Perceiving the terror that had seized the world, the great sage Vasiṣṭha, steadfast and virtuous, spoke gently to Daśaratha. “O King, born in the line of Ikṣvāku, you are as if Dharma itself incarnate—steadfast, virtuous, and illustrious. Do not abandon righteousness. Rāghava is renowned throughout the three worlds as one devoted to righteousness. Adhere to your duty; do not bear the burden of unrighteousness. He who, having promised ‘I will do it,’ fails to act as he has spoken, destroys the merit of all his good deeds. Therefore, send Rāma. “Whether skilled in weapons or not, the Rākṣasas will not be able to harm him, for he will be protected by the son of Kuśika, just as nectar is guarded by fire. Viśvāmitra is righteousness embodied, foremost among the mighty, surpassing all in knowledge, and wholly devoted to austerity. He alone knows the secrets of all weapons in the three worlds—among moving and unmoving beings alike. No other man knows them, nor will any come to know. Neither gods, nor sages, nor immortals, nor Rākṣasas, nor Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, nor great serpents know these weapons. “All the weapons, whose sons were supremely righteous, were once given to Kuśika’s son by Kṛśāśva, when he ruled the kingdom. The sons of Kṛśāśva, born of the daughters of Prajāpati, were of diverse forms, great strength, radiant, and victorious. Jayā and Suprabhā, daughters of Dakṣa, gave birth to a hundred shining weapons and missiles. Jayā, having obtained boons, bore fifty sons of immeasurable might, for the destruction of the Asura armies. Suprabhā too bore fifty fierce and unconquerable sons, called the ‘Destroyers,’ mighty and hard to overcome. The son of Kuśika knows all these weapons, and, being learned in righteousness, can create new ones as well. For this great sage, nothing—past or future—is unknown. With such power and renown, O King, you should have no doubt regarding Rāma’s departure with Viśvāmitra.” Hearing Vasiṣṭha’s wise counsel, King Daśaratha’s mind was set at ease. Joy blossomed in his heart, and he gladly approved Rāghava’s journey with the illustrious son of Kuśika. Now, hear the next chapter of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa. When Vasiṣṭha had spoken, King Daśaratha, his face radiant with joy, summoned Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Rāma received auspicious rites from his mother, his father, and the priest Vasiṣṭha, with sacred blessings pronounced to protect him on his journey. Deeply pleased, Daśaratha embraced his beloved son, smelled his head in affection, and entrusted him to the care of Viśvāmitra. As Rāma, lotus-eyed and noble, departed with the great sage, a gentle, dustless breeze began to blow. Showers of flowers rained from the heavens, accompanied by the sound of divine drums and conches, resounding in celebration as the great-souled one set out. Viśvāmitra walked ahead, with the illustrious Rāma following, his hair tied in a warrior’s knot, bow in hand. Saumitri, the loyal Lakṣmaṇa, came behind him. Both princes, adorned with quivers and bows, graced all ten directions with their presence, following the sage like two three-headed serpents—youthful, mighty, and radiant, flawless in their beauty, as the twin Aśvins follow their grandsire. Thus, the sons of Daśaratha, splendidly adorned, with bows and gauntlets, swords at their sides, followed the great son of Kuśika, ready to fulfill their sacred duty.