When the sage Vasiṣṭha had spoken, King Daśaratha, his heart overflowing with joy, summoned his beloved sons, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Rāma received auspicious rites from his mother, from Daśaratha himself, and from the revered priest Vasiṣṭha; sacred blessings were pronounced, preparing him for the journey ahead. Deeply pleased, Daśaratha embraced Rāma, gently smelling his head in loving affection, and then entrusted him to the wise Viśvāmitra, the son of Kuśika. As Rāma, lotus-eyed and radiant, set out with Viśvāmitra, a gentle breeze—free of dust—began to blow, as if nature itself rejoiced. Divine flowers showered from above, accompanied by the celestial sounds of drums and conches, marking the departure of the great-souled prince. Viśvāmitra led the way, and behind him followed Rāma, his hair tied in the warrior’s style, bow in hand. Lakṣmaṇa, called Saumitri, followed his elder brother. Both princes, adorned with quivers and bows, graced all ten directions with their presence, trailing after Viśvāmitra like two three-headed serpents—majestic and powerful. Youthful and mighty, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa shone with splendor, flawless in beauty, following the sage as the Aśvin twins would follow their grandsire. Splendidly adorned, with gauntlets fastened and swords at their sides, the sons of Daśaratha moved with grace and radiance, enhancing the scene as they followed the son of Kuśika. Like the unimaginable god Sthāṇu, or the sons of Fire, the two youths accompanied Viśvāmitra. After traveling half a yojana, they reached the southern bank of the sacred Sarayū river. There, Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma with gentle words: “Take water, my child, so that the proper time is not lost.” He then offered Rāma the collection of mantras known as Bala and Atibala, saying, “With these, you will never know fatigue, fever, or any change in your appearance. No spirits of mischief will overpower you, whether you are asleep or careless. On earth, there is none equal to you in strength of arms.” He continued, “In all the three worlds, O Rāma, none will be your equal as you recite these mantras. In good fortune, generosity, wisdom, clarity of intellect, or in answering and replying, there is no equal to you. When this dual knowledge is attained, none shall match you, for Bala and Atibala are the mothers of all knowledge. Hunger and thirst will not afflict you once you have learned them. Take up these two sciences, O delight of the Raghu lineage, for the protection of all people. When these are studied, fame will arise on earth; these brilliant sciences are indeed the daughters of the grandsire. O descendant of Kakutstha, you alone are worthy to receive them, for all virtues are present in you—there is no doubt.” Viśvāmitra explained that these gifts, gathered through austerity, would manifest in many forms. Rāma, pure and joyful-faced, touched water, accepting the teachings. As the blessed sun shone with a thousand rays, as if in autumn, Daśaratha, having entrusted all duties to Viśvāmitra, saw his sons spend the night happily on the banks of the Sarayū. Though the noble sons of Daśaratha rested on a bed of grass, the loving words of Viśvāmitra made that night shine as if it were joy itself. When the night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra addressed Rāma, descendant of Kakutstha, who lay on a bed of leaves. “O Rāma, son of Kausalya, blessed with noble offspring, the early dawn is approaching; arise, tiger among men, the daily divine duties must be performed.” Hearing these generous words, the two heroic princes bathed, offered water, and recited the supreme prayer. Having completed their morning rites, the mighty heroes, full of joy, respectfully greeted Viśvāmitra, the ascetic rich in austerity, and stood ready for departure. As they set out, the mighty heroes saw the divine river, the threefold stream, at the auspicious confluence of the Sarayū. There, they beheld a sacred hermitage belonging to sages of purified souls, who had practiced supreme austerity for many thousands of years. Seeing this most holy hermitage, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were filled with great joy and spoke to Viśvāmitra: “Whose is this sacred hermitage? Who dwells here, O revered one? We wish to hear, for our curiosity is indeed great.” Viśvāmitra smiled and replied, “Listen, Rāma, to whom this ancient hermitage belonged. Kāma, the embodied god of love, once saw Śiva here engaged in austere penance, steadfast in discipline. When the Lord of the gods, newly wed, was proceeding with the hosts of Maruts, Kāma, evil-minded, dared to disturb him and was rebuked by the great-souled Lord. Then, Rudra struck him down with a glance, and all the limbs of that wicked one were shattered. His body was destroyed and consumed in the wrath of Śiva, and Kāma was rendered bodiless. From that time onward, he became known as Anaṅga, the bodiless one, and the place where his body fell is called Aṅgaviṣaya, the blessed region. This is the sacred hermitage of that one, and these are his ancient disciples, O hero, devoted to righteousness; among them, no sin is found.” Thus, the journey of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa continued, guided by the wisdom and stories of Viśvāmitra, as they traveled through sacred lands, learning the mysteries and blessings of the ancient sages.