Rāma stood before Viśvāmitra, his resolve unwavering. He recalled the teachings he had received in Ayodhyā from his father, King Daśaratha, and the wisdom imparted by great teachers. He knew that his father’s words could not be disregarded. With a sense of duty burning within him, Rāma declared his readiness to act—for the welfare of cows and Brahmins, for the good of the land, and to fulfill Viśvāmitra’s profound promise. Having spoken thus, Rāma, the subduer of enemies, gripped the center of his bow and drew it, producing a sharp, resounding twang that echoed through all directions. The inhabitants of Tāṭakā’s forest were terrified by the sound, and Tāṭakā herself, the demoness, was thrown into confusion and rage. Fixated on the source of the sound, Tāṭakā, overcome with wrath, rushed furiously toward Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. As she approached, Rāma saw her monstrous, deformed face and immense size. Turning to Lakṣmaṇa, he said, “Look, Lakṣmaṇa, at the terrifying form of this yakṣinī. Her mere appearance would break the hearts of the timid.” He continued, “See this formidable one, difficult to subdue, endowed with the power of illusion. Today, I will render her powerless, depriving her of her ears and nose. I cannot kill her, as she is protected by her womanly nature, but I will destroy her strength and movement.” As Rāma spoke, Tāṭakā, overcome with rage, raised her arms and charged at him, roaring fiercely. Viśvāmitra, the revered sage, rebuked her with a shout and uttered blessings for the safety and victory of the sons of Raghu. Tāṭakā then stirred up a terrible cloud of dust, bewildering Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa for a moment. Resorting to her magic, she unleashed a great rain of stones upon them, provoking Rāma’s anger. Rāma countered the stone shower with a rain of arrows, and as Tāṭakā charged forward, he cut off her hands with his shafts. Standing nearby, armless and exhausted, she continued to roar. Saumitri—Lakṣmaṇa—angered, cut off her ears and the tip of her nose. Tāṭakā, skilled in illusion, shifted into many forms and vanished, confusing the brothers with her magic. She moved about in a terrifying manner, releasing another shower of stones. Seeing this, the illustrious Viśvāmitra spoke, “Enough of your compassion, Rāma. She is wicked and evil-doing. This yakṣinī, who once grew powerful through magic, is a destroyer of sacrifices. Let her be slain before dusk sets in. At twilight, the demons become difficult to withstand.” Thus instructed, Rāma faced Tāṭakā, who was still showering stones. Demonstrating his skill in striking by sound, he blocked her attacks with arrows, restraining her magical power. She charged furiously at Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, like a blazing thunderbolt. The gods watched with delight, honoring Rāma with cries of “Well done, well done!” Indra, the thousand-eyed lord, spoke with great joy. All the gods, rejoicing, addressed Viśvāmitra, “O sage Kauśika, blessings to you! All the Maruts with Indra are here. We are pleased by this deed. Show affection to Rāghava and reveal to him the sons of Kṛśāśva, the son of Prajāpati, who are true in their valor. O brāhmaṇa, impart this knowledge to Rāghava. He is worthy and devoted to you. A great task for the gods is to be accomplished by the prince.” Having spoken thus, the delighted gods departed into the sky. Twilight began, and Viśvāmitra, pleased by Tāṭakā’s slaying, was filled with joy. He embraced Rāma and said, “O Rāma of auspicious appearance, let us stay here tonight. Tomorrow at dawn, we shall go to my hermitage.” Hearing these words, Rāma rejoiced. That night, Rāma spent happily in Tāṭakā’s forest. Freed from its curse, the forest shone beautifully, like the celestial Caitraratha grove. Praised by hosts of gods and siddhas for slaying the yakṣī, Rāma stayed there with the sage, awakened at dawn. Thus began the twenty-seventh sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. After spending the night, the renowned Viśvāmitra smiled and addressed Rāma in a sweet voice. “I am pleased with you, O illustrious prince. Out of great affection, I shall give you all the weapons. With these, you will conquer enemies on earth—whether gods, asuras, gandharvas, or serpents—subduing them in battle. I bestow upon you all these divine weapons, O fortunate one. I shall give you the great and divine Daṇḍa-cakra, O Rāghava. Then, O hero, the Wheel of Righteousness, the Wheel of Time, the fierce Discus of Vishnu, and Indra’s discus as well. The thunderbolt missile, the excellent trident of Shiva, the Brahmaśiras weapon, and the missile of Īśa. I give you, mighty-armed one, the supreme Brahma missile, and two maces, Modakī and Śikharī, both auspicious.” Thus, Viśvāmitra, out of affection and admiration, imparted the divine weapons to Rāma, preparing him for the great tasks that lay ahead.