As the wise Viśvāmitra was seized by anger, a tremor passed through the entire earth, and great fear arose among the gods themselves. Sensing that the whole world was struck with terror, the great sage Vasiṣṭha—steadfast in virtue—spoke to King Daśaratha. He addressed the king, born of the illustrious Ikṣvāku line, reminding him that he was as if Dharma itself had taken human form: steadfast, virtuous, and renowned. Vasiṣṭha urged him not to abandon righteousness. He continued, saying, “Rāghava is celebrated in all three worlds as one devoted to righteousness. Remain true to your own duty, for you must not allow unrighteousness to prevail. If one promises, ‘I will do it,’ and then fails to act, he destroys all his merit and good deeds. Therefore, send Rāma as you have pledged. Whether skilled in weapons or not, no Rākṣasa will be able to 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, and wholly devoted to austerity. He alone knows the various weapons of all the three worlds, among moving and unmoving beings; no other man knows them, nor will any ever come to know. Neither gods, nor sages, nor immortals, nor Rākṣasas, nor the foremost Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, or great serpents know these weapons. “All the weapons, whose sons were supremely righteous, were once given to Kauśika by Kṛśāśva when he ruled the kingdom. These sons, born of the daughters of Prajāpati, were of diverse forms, great strength, radiant, and bringers of victory. Jayā and Suprabhā, O slender-waisted daughter 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 armies of the Asuras. Suprabhā too gave birth to fifty sons, fierce and unconquerable, named the ‘Destroyers,’ mighty and difficult to overcome. “The son of Kuśika knows all these weapons properly, and, being learned in righteousness, is able to create new ones as well. For this foremost sage, knower of Dharma and great-souled, O Rāghava, nothing—past or future—is unknown. Endowed with such power, the illustrious and radiant Viśvāmitra—of great renown—O King, you should not harbor any doubt regarding Rāma’s departure.” Hearing these words from the sage, the foremost of the Raghus, King Daśaratha, felt his mind settle into peace and rejoiced; his heart gladly approved of Rāghava’s journey with the son of Kuśika. Now begins the twenty-second sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When Vasiṣṭha had spoken thus, King Daśaratha himself, his face radiant with joy, summoned Rāma together with Lakṣmaṇa. Rāma received auspicious rites from his mother, his father Daśaratha, and the priest Vasiṣṭha, with sacred blessings pronounced to prepare him for his journey. Then King Daśaratha, deeply pleased, embraced his son and, after smelling his head in affection, entrusted him to the son of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra. At that moment, as lotus-eyed Rāma set out with Viśvāmitra, a gentle, dustless breeze began to blow. A great shower of flowers rained down, accompanied by the sound of divine drums; conches and drums resounded as the great-souled one set forth. Viśvāmitra walked ahead, and behind him followed the illustrious Rāma, his hair tied in the warrior’s style, carrying his bow; Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) came after him. Both brothers were adorned with quivers and bows in hand, gracing all ten directions, following the great Viśvāmitra like two serpents with three heads. Youthful and mighty, they walked as the Aśvins would follow their grandsire, radiant in splendor and flawless in their beauty. The sons of Daśaratha, bow in hand, splendidly adorned, with gauntlets fastened and swords at their sides, followed the son of Kuśika. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, youthful and handsome, radiant and flawless, enhanced the scene with their presence. They resembled the unthinkable god Sthāṇu, or the sons of Fire, as they journeyed. After traveling half a yojana, they reached the southern bank of the Sarayū. There, Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma with gentle words: “Take water, my child, so that the proper time is not lost.” He continued, “Receive from me the collection of mantras—Bala and Atibala. With these, you will never know fatigue, fever, or any change in your appearance. Nor will the spirits of mischief overpower you, whether you are asleep or careless; on earth, there is no one equal to you in strength of arms. In all the three worlds, O Rāma, there will be none your equal; as you recite Bala and Atibala, O Rāghava, my son. “O sinless one, in good fortune, generosity, wisdom, clarity of intellect, or in answering and replying, there is no equal to you 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 Bala and Atibala, O descendant of Raghu. “Take up these two sciences, O delight of the Raghu lineage, for the protection of all people; when these two 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; indeed, all virtues are present in you—there is no doubt about this. These, gathered through austerity, will manifest in many forms.” Then Rāma, pure and joyful-faced, touched water, ready to receive the sacred knowledge from the great sage Viśvāmitra.