In the sacred land of Ayodhya, two noble youths, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, set forth on a journey with the great sage Viśvāmitra. Like the unthinkable god Sthāṇu or the illustrious sons of Fire, they traveled with purpose and determination. After traversing half a yojana, they arrived at the serene southern bank of the Sarayū River. As the gentle breeze whispered through the trees, Viśvāmitra turned to Rāma with kind and encouraging words. "My child," he said, "take water, for we must not let the proper time slip away." With reverence, Rāma accepted the sage's guidance and prepared to receive the sacred mantras—Bala and Atibala. "With these mantras," Viśvāmitra continued, "you shall never know fatigue, fever, or any change in your appearance. No spirit of mischief shall overpower you, whether you are awake or asleep. Among all beings on this earth, none shall match your strength." He gazed at Rāma with pride, proclaiming that in all the three worlds, there would be no equal to him as he recited these powerful verses. "O sinless one," he affirmed, "in fortune, wisdom, and clarity of intellect, you surpass all. When you attain this dual knowledge, you shall stand unrivaled, for Bala and Atibala are the very mothers of knowledge. Hunger and thirst will not afflict you, dear descendant of Raghu, once you embrace these sciences, which are the daughters of the grandsire and the protectors of all people." With a heart full of hope and purpose, Rāma touched the water, a symbol of his commitment to the path ahead. That night, as the blessed sun cast its golden rays upon the earth, the three companions—Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Viśvāmitra—spent a joyful evening on the banks of the Sarayū, their spirits lifted by the promise of adventure and the warmth of camaraderie. The two sons of King Daśaratha rested on a humble bed of grass, their hearts lightened by the sage's teachings, and the night seemed to glow with happiness itself. As dawn broke, Viśvāmitra roused Rāma, who lay on a bed of leaves, and gently urged, "O Rāma, son of Kausalya, the early dawn approaches; arise, tiger among men, for the daily divine duties await." The two heroic princes, imbued with vigor and purpose, rose to perform their morning rites. They bathed in the sacred waters, offered their prayers, and recited the supreme verses, completing their rituals with joy and reverence. Ready for their journey, they greeted the sage with respect and began to set forth. As they walked, they beheld the divine river, the threefold stream, at the auspicious confluence of the Sarayū. There, they discovered a sacred hermitage, a sanctuary belonging to sages who had devoted themselves to austere penance for countless years. Overcome with joy, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa turned to Viśvāmitra, eager to learn more about this holy place. "Whose hermitage is this?" they inquired, their curiosity piqued. With a smile, the sage began to recount the story of the ancient hermitage. "This was once the dwelling of Kāma, the embodied god of love, who beheld Lord Śiva engaged in deep meditation. But when the newly wed Lord of the gods approached with the Maruts, that wicked Kāma dared to disturb him and was rebuked. In his anger, Rudra struck him down with a mere glance, shattering his form and rendering him bodiless. From that moment on, he became known as Anaṅga, the bodiless one, and the place where his body fell is called Aṅgaviṣaya, the blessed region." Viśvāmitra continued, "This sacred hermitage belongs to that great soul, and his devoted disciples, pure and righteous, reside here. Let us spend the night within these hallowed grounds, for tomorrow we shall cross over the river." With hearts aligned in purity and purpose, they approached the hermitage, where they were received with warmth and hospitality. The ascetics, with eyes that had long been trained in austerity, recognized the noble princes and welcomed them with offerings of water and kind words. As the evening unfolded, the sages honored Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with stories of virtue and wisdom, while the gentle sounds of nature enveloped them. They performed their evening prayers, joined by the resident ascetics, and the atmosphere was filled with a sense of sacred joy. In the hermitage of Kāma, they dwelt happily, entertained by the righteous sage Kauśika, who shared delightful tales that resonated in their hearts. The next morning dawned clear and bright. The two destroyers of enemies, having completed their morning rites, approached the riverbank with Viśvāmitra leading the way. The great-souled sages, steadfast in their vows, prepared a fine boat for the journey ahead. "Please board the boat, with the princes at the forefront," they urged Viśvāmitra. "Travel safely, and let there be no delay caused by time." Thus, with the blessings of the sages and the promise of adventure ahead, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa prepared to embark on the next chapter of their extraordinary journey.