In the vast expanse of the three worlds, there existed none to rival the noble Rāma, the son of King Daśaratha. With the recitation of the sacred knowledge of Bala and Atibala, Rāma was destined to rise above all. His virtues were unparalleled; in fortune, generosity, wisdom, and clarity of intellect, he stood alone, a beacon of excellence. It was said that once he mastered the dual knowledge of Bala and Atibala, he would be unmatched, for these teachings were the very essence of all wisdom. O Rāma, best among men, when you embrace these sciences, hunger and thirst shall never trouble you. They were not merely studies but the very protectors of humanity, promising fame and brilliance to those who pursued them. You, O descendant of Raghu, were the only one worthy of such profound knowledge, for all virtues resided within you without a shadow of doubt. As you gathered this wisdom through your austerities, it would manifest in many forms, illuminating your path. One day, as the blessed sun shone brightly in the autumn sky, Rāma, with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, stood by the banks of the Sarayu River, having entrusted their duties to the sage Viśvāmitra. They spent a night filled with joy, resting on a humble bed of grass, comforted by the sage’s wise words. The tranquility of that night was akin to happiness itself, as the two noble sons of King Daśaratha prepared for the dawn that would bring new adventures. As the first light of dawn broke, the great sage Viśvāmitra roused Rāma, the tiger among men, with gentle urgency. “Arise, O son of Kausalya, for the divine duties of the day await.” The two heroic princes, inspired by the sage’s words, bathed in the sacred waters, offered their prayers, and completed their morning rites with joy. They greeted Viśvāmitra with respect, ready to embark on their journey. As they set forth, the divine river welcomed them, its threefold stream sparkling at the confluence with the Sarayu. There, they beheld a sacred hermitage, a haven of sages who had devoted themselves to austere practices for countless years. Overcome with joy, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa turned to the great-souled Viśvāmitra, eager to learn about this hallowed place. “Whose is this sacred hermitage? Who dwells here?” they inquired, their curiosity piqued. The sage, with a smile, began to recount its history. “This hermitage once belonged to Kāma, the embodied god of love. He beheld Lord Śiva engaged in deep penance here, but in a moment of folly, he dared to disturb the great ascetic. In response, Rudra, angered, struck him down with a glance, rendering him bodiless, and thus he became known as Anaṅga, the bodiless one. The place where his body fell is now called Aṅgaviṣaya, a blessed region.” “This sacred hermitage is indeed his, and here reside his ancient disciples, steadfast in righteousness. Let us spend the night here, O Rāma, between these two holy rivers, for tomorrow we shall cross over.” With pure hearts, they approached the hermitage, grateful for the comfort it promised. After bathing and performing their prayers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa found themselves surrounded by the ascetics, whose eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of the noble princes. The sages welcomed them with water for washing their feet and offered hospitality, delighting them with pleasant stories. As the evening prayers commenced, the air was filled with devotion, and the atmosphere was charged with a sense of sacredness. They dwelt happily in the hermitage of Kāma, where the sage Kauśika entertained them with delightful tales, enriching their spirits as the night deepened. At dawn, when the day was clear and bright, the two princes, having completed their morning rites, approached the riverbank, guided by Viśvāmitra. The great-souled sages, firm in their vows, prepared a fine boat for their journey, urging Viśvāmitra to board with the princes at the forefront. “Travel safely, and let there be no delay,” they said with reverence. Viśvāmitra, honoring their words, crossed the river that flowed toward the ocean, accompanied by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. As they ventured into the middle of the stream, a tumultuous noise arose, intensified by the agitation of the waters. Curious about the source of this sound, Rāma turned to the eminent sage and asked, “What is this tumultuous noise of the water breaking apart?” Thus, the journey continued, with anticipation and wonder, as the mighty Rāma sought to unravel the mysteries that lay ahead.