When King Daśaratha hesitated, torn between his love for his son and his promise to the sage, Viśvāmitra spoke with measured restraint: “If this is your decision, O King, I shall depart as I came. May you, scion of Kakutstha, be happy and well-regarded, though you have broken your word.” But as Viśvāmitra’s anger kindled, the very earth trembled beneath him, and a wave of fear swept through the gods. Sensing the world’s mounting terror, the great sage Vasiṣṭha, steadfast and virtuous, stepped forward to counsel the king. “O King, you are born of the Ikṣvāku line, as if Dharma himself had taken human form. You are renowned for steadfastness, virtue, and glory—do not abandon righteousness. The name of Rāghava resounds in all the three worlds as one devoted to dharma. Hold fast to your duty, for unrighteousness is not yours to bear. “He who promises ‘I will do it’ and fails to act as he has spoken destroys all merit and good deeds. Therefore, send Rāma. Whether skilled in weapons or not, the Rākṣasas cannot harm him, for he is 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, wholly devoted to austerity. “He alone knows the secrets of all weapons in the three worlds, among moving and unmoving beings; no other man knows them, nor will any ever know. Not gods, nor sages, nor immortals, nor Rākṣasas, nor the foremost among Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, or great serpents know them. Long ago, all these weapons, whose sons were supremely righteous, were given to Kauśika by Kṛśāśva when he ruled. “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, bore a hundred shining weapons and missiles. Jayā, blessed with boons, bore fifty sons of immeasurable might, destined to destroy the armies of the Asuras. Suprabhā too gave birth to fifty sons, fierce and unconquerable, called the ‘Destroyers,’ mighty and difficult to overcome. “The son of Kuśika knows all these weapons well, and, being learned in dharma, can create new ones as well. For this foremost sage, O Rāghava, nothing—past or future—is unknown. Endowed with such power, the illustrious, radiant, and renowned Viśvāmitra stands before you. O King, let there be no doubt regarding Rāma’s departure.” Hearing these words of Vasiṣṭha, King Daśaratha, foremost of the Raghus, felt his heart lighten. Joy filled his mind, and he gladly consented to Rāma’s journey with the son of Kuśika. Now begins the twenty-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. With his face beaming, King Daśaratha summoned Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Both sons received auspicious rites from their mother, their father Daśaratha, and the family priest Vasiṣṭha; sacred blessings were pronounced, and they were made ready. Deeply pleased, the king embraced Rāma, smelling his head with affection, and then entrusted him to Viśvāmitra. As Rāma, lotus-eyed, set out with Viśvāmitra, a gentle, dustless breeze began to blow. Showers of flowers rained from above, accompanied by the sound of divine drums. Conches and kettledrums resounded as the great-souled one departed. Viśvāmitra led the way, followed by the illustrious Rāma, his hair tied in a warrior’s style, bow in hand; Saumitri, steadfast Lakṣmaṇa, came behind. Both brothers, adorned with quivers and bows, graced all ten directions, following the sage like two three-headed serpents. Youthful and mighty, they shone with splendor and flawless beauty, following Viśvāmitra as the Aśvins would follow their grandsire. The sons of Daśaratha, splendidly adorned, with gauntlets fastened and swords at their sides, followed the son of Kuśika. Radiant and handsome, they enhanced the scene, like the god Sthāṇu or the sons of Fire. After traveling half a yojana, they reached the southern bank of the Sarayū. There, Viśvāmitra spoke gently to Rāma: “Take water, my child, so the proper moment is not lost. Receive from me the sacred mantras of Bala and Atibala. With these, you will never know fatigue, fever, or any change in your appearance. Spirits of mischief will not overpower you, whether you are asleep or careless; on earth, there will be none your equal in strength of arms. “In all the three worlds, O Rāma, no one will match you as you recite Bala and Atibala. O sinless one, in good fortune, generosity, wisdom, clarity of intellect, or in answering and replying, you have no equal in the world. When this dual knowledge is attained, none shall be your equal, for Bala and Atibala are indeed the mothers of all knowledge. “O Rāma, best among men, hunger and thirst will not afflict you when you have learned these sciences. Take them up, O delight of the Raghu lineage, for the protection of all people; when these are studied, fame will arise on earth. These sciences, endowed with brilliance, are indeed the daughters of the grandsire. “O descendant of Kakutstha, you alone are worthy to receive them, for all virtues dwell in you—of this there is no doubt.