Long ago, from the daughters of Prajāpati and the mighty sage Kṛśāśva were born sons of wondrous diversity and strength—beings radiant and victorious, each of distinct form and power. Among these, Jayā and Suprabhā, daughters of Dakṣa, became mothers to a hundred brilliant weapons and divine missiles. By virtue of boons received, Jayā gave birth to fifty sons of immeasurable might, destined to shatter the armies of the Asuras. Suprabhā too bore fifty fierce and unconquerable sons, known as the ‘Destroyers,’ mighty and difficult to overcome. All these formidable weapons and their mysteries are known to the illustrious son of Kuśika, Viśvāmitra. Wise in righteousness and rich in learning, he not only knows the lore of these weapons, but can create new ones as well. For this great sage, knower of dharma and of vast soul, nothing—past or future—remains hidden. Endowed with such power and resplendence, Viśvāmitra stands renowned among men. Thus, O King, there should be no doubt in your heart about Rāma’s departure with him. Hearing these words of assurance from the sage, the noble King Daśaratha, scion of the Raghu line, felt his mind settle into peace. Rejoicing, he gladly gave his heartfelt approval for Rāma’s journey with the son of Kuśika. Now hear the twenty-second chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. When the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha had finished speaking, King Daśaratha, his face radiant with joy, summoned Rāma and his brother Lakṣmaṇa. Both princes received auspicious rites from their mother, from their father Daśaratha, and from the priest Vasiṣṭha, who pronounced sacred blessings over them to prepare them for their journey. Deeply pleased, Daśaratha embraced his beloved son, inhaled the fragrance of his head in affection, and entrusted him into the care of Viśvāmitra. At that very moment, as lotus-eyed Rāma set forth with the sage, a gentle breeze arose, free of dust, as if nature herself rejoiced. Flowers rained down from the heavens, divine drums resounded, and the air was filled with the music of conches and celestial instruments as the great-souled Rāma departed. Viśvāmitra walked ahead, and behind him followed the illustrious Rāma, his hair tied in the warrior’s fashion, bow in hand. Saumitri—Lakṣmaṇa—came after him. Both princes, adorned with quivers and bows, graced all ten directions with their presence, following Viśvāmitra like two radiant, many-headed serpents. Youthful and mighty, flawless in beauty, they resembled the twin Aśvins following their grandsire, radiant in their splendor. So the sons of Daśaratha, splendidly adorned, with bows, gauntlets, and swords at their sides, followed the sage, enhancing the scene with their youthful vigor and handsomeness. In their bearing, they were like the god Sthāṇu or the sons of Fire. After traveling half a yojana, they reached the southern bank of the Sarayū river. There, Viśvāmitra turned to Rāma and spoke gently, “Take water, my child, so that we do not lose the proper time.” He then said, “Receive from me the mantras of Bala and Atibala. With these, you will never know fatigue or fever, nor will your appearance ever change. Mischievous spirits will never overpower you, whether you are asleep or careless. On earth, there will be none equal to you in strength.” “In all the three worlds, O Rāma, none shall be your equal as you recite Bala and Atibala. In good fortune, generosity, wisdom, clarity of intellect, and in discourse, you will have no equal. When this dual knowledge is attained, 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, when you have learned these sciences. Take up these two, O delight of the Raghu lineage, for the protection of all. When these are studied, fame will arise on earth; these brilliant sciences are daughters of the grandsire himself. O descendant of Kakutstha, you alone are worthy to receive them, for all virtues are manifest in you.” “These, gathered through austerity, will reveal themselves in many forms.” Hearing this, Rāma, pure and joyful, touched water as a sign of acceptance. As the blessed sun shone down with a thousand rays, the three—Viśvāmitra and the two noble sons of Daśaratha—spent that night happily on the banks of the Sarayū. Though Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa rested only on a bed of grass, the loving words of Viśvāmitra made that night seem radiant with happiness itself. Now listen to the twenty-third chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. When night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma, who lay on a bed of leaves. “O Rāma, son of Kausalya, blessed with noble progeny, the dawn is near. Arise, tiger among men, for the time has come to perform the daily divine duties.” Hearing these generous words, the two heroic princes bathed, offered water, and recited the supreme prayer. Having completed their morning rites, the mighty brothers, filled with joy, respectfully greeted Viśvāmitra, the ascetic rich in austerity, and stood ready to depart. As they set out, they came upon the divine river, the threefold stream, at the auspicious confluence of the Sarayū. There, they beheld a sacred hermitage, the abode of sages of purified souls, who had practiced supreme austerity for many thousands of years. Seeing this most holy place, the two sons of Raghu were filled with great joy and spoke reverently to the great-souled Viśvāmitra.