Once, in ages past, there lived Kṛśāśva, a mighty ruler, who bestowed upon the sage Kauśika all the celestial weapons whose sons were supremely righteous. These sons, born of Kṛśāśva through the daughters of Prajāpati, were of diverse forms, radiant in strength and splendor, and victorious in battle. Of these daughters, Jayā and Suprabhā—O slender-waisted daughter of Dakṣa—brought forth a hundred shining weapons and missiles. Jayā, having received divine boons, gave birth to fifty sons of immeasurable might, destined to destroy the armies of the Asuras. Suprabhā too bore fifty fierce, unconquerable sons, renowned as the 'Destroyers,' powerful and difficult to overcome. All these weapons and their mysteries are known in their fullness by the son of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra, who is learned in righteousness and capable even of creating new weapons. For this foremost sage, knower of dharma and of great soul, nothing—be it past or future—is hidden. Endowed with such power, illustrious and radiant, Viśvāmitra’s fame shines everywhere. Therefore, O King, you should harbor no doubt or fear regarding Rāma’s departure with him. When the great sage Vasiṣṭha had spoken thus, the foremost of the Raghus, King Daśaratha, felt his mind ease and his heart rejoice. Gladly, he gave his approval for Rāma, his beloved son, to journey with the son of Kuśika. Now begins the twenty-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bālakāṇḍa. King Daśaratha, his face radiant with joy, summoned Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Rāma received the auspicious rites from his mother, from his father Daśaratha, and from the venerable priest Vasiṣṭha, with sacred blessings pronounced over him. Deeply pleased, King Daśaratha embraced his son, smelled his head in affection, and entrusted him into the care of Viśvāmitra. As Rāma, lotus-eyed and noble, set out with Viśvāmitra, a gentle, dustless breeze began to blow. Showers of flowers fell from the heavens, accompanied by the sound of divine drums and the resounding of conches—an auspicious sendoff as the great-souled Rāma departed. Viśvāmitra led the way, with the illustrious Rāma behind him, his hair tied in the style of a warrior and his bow in hand. Saumitri, Lakṣmaṇa, followed after. Both brothers, adorned with quivers and armed with bows, seemed to grace all ten directions, following Viśvāmitra like two three-headed serpents. Youthful, mighty, and radiant in their splendor, flawless in their beauty, they walked behind the great sage, as the divine Aśvins would follow their grandsire. The sons of Daśaratha, splendidly adorned, with gauntlets fastened and swords at their sides, followed the son of Kuśika. Their youthful handsomeness and radiant glory enhanced the scene, making them shine like the god Sthāṇu himself or the sons of Fire. 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 then bestowed upon Rāma the collection of sacred mantras—Bala and Atibala. “With these,” said Viśvāmitra, “you will never know fatigue, fever, or any change in your appearance. Mischievous spirits will not overpower you, whether you are asleep or careless. On earth, there will be 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 sinless one, in good fortune, generosity, wisdom, clarity of intellect, or in answering and replying, there is no one in the world your equal. When you have mastered this dual knowledge, none shall surpass you, for Bala and Atibala are the mothers of all knowledge. Hunger and thirst will not afflict you, O best among men, once you have learned these sciences. Take up these two for the protection of all people; when studied, they bring fame to the earth. Endowed with brilliance, they are indeed the daughters of the grandsire. O descendant of Kakutstha, you alone are worthy to receive them, for all virtues dwell in you.” Having spoken, Viśvāmitra revealed that these mantras, gathered through his austerity, would manifest in many forms. Rāma, his heart pure and face joyful, accepted the water and received the teachings. As the blessed sun shone with a thousand rays, the three—Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Viśvāmitra—spent that night happily on the banks of the Sarayū, all duties entrusted to the son of Kuśika. Though the sons of Daśaratha rested on a bed of grass, unsuited to their royal upbringing, the loving words of Viśvāmitra made the night shine as if it were happiness itself. Now begins the twenty-third sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. When the night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra addressed Kakutstha, Rāma, who lay on a bed of leaves: “O Rāma, son of Kausalya, blessed with noble offspring, the early dawn is upon us. Arise, tiger among men, for the daily divine duties must be performed.” Hearing the sage’s generous words, the two heroic princes bathed, offered water, and recited the supreme prayer. Their morning rites completed, the mighty heroes, filled with joy, respectfully greeted Viśvāmitra, the ascetic rich in austerity, and stood ready for departure. Setting out, the two princes beheld the divine river—the threefold stream—at the auspicious confluence of the Sarayū. There they saw a sacred hermitage, belonging to sages of purified souls, who had practiced supreme austerity for many thousands of years.