The formidable yakṣinī, Tāṭakā, gifted with the power to assume any form she wished, began to weave illusions before Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Taking on many terrifying shapes, she would appear and vanish, confounding the brothers with her sorcery. In her fury, she moved about in a dreadful manner, unleashing a relentless shower of stones upon them. Witnessing these fearsome displays, the illustrious Viśvāmitra, son of Gādhi, addressed Rāma with a firm voice: “Enough of compassion, Rāma; this creature is wicked and bent on evil. Once empowered by her magic, she has become the destroyer of sacred sacrifices. She must be slain before dusk falls, for as twilight approaches, demons such as she grow ever more difficult to withstand.” Thus instructed, Rāma turned to face the yakṣinī, who continued her assault of stones. Demonstrating his mastery in striking by sound alone, Rāma loosed his arrows, intercepting and restraining Tāṭakā despite her magical prowess. Enraged, she rushed at Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with the force of a blazing thunderbolt, but the prince stood firm. When Tāṭakā fell, the gods themselves rejoiced. “Well done, well done!” they exclaimed, honoring Rāma of the Kākutstha line. Indra, the thousand-eyed lord, spoke with delight, and all the gods, gathered with the Maruts, addressed Viśvāmitra: “Blessings to you, O sage Kauśika! We are pleased by this deed. Show your affection to Rāghava and reveal to him the sons of Kṛśāśva, the son of Prajāpati, who are true in valor. O brāhmaṇa of great austerity, impart your knowledge to Rāghava, for he is worthy and devoted to you. A great task for the gods awaits the prince.” Having spoken, the delighted gods departed into the sky. As twilight descended, Viśvāmitra, honored by the gods, was filled with joy at Tāṭakā’s defeat. Embracing Rāma, he spoke warmly: “O Rāma of auspicious appearance, let us remain here tonight. At dawn, we shall proceed to my hermitage.” Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, rejoiced at the sage’s words and spent the night happily in the forest, now freed from its curse. That very day, Tāṭakā’s forest, released from her evil, shone with new beauty, radiant like the celestial Caitraratha grove. Praised by the hosts of gods and siddhas for his valor, Rāma rested there with Viśvāmitra, who awakened him at dawn. As the next morning broke, the renowned Viśvāmitra smiled and addressed Rāghava in a gentle, affectionate voice. “I am pleased with you, illustrious prince. Out of great love, I shall grant you all the divine weapons. With these, you will conquer enemies on earth—gods, asuras, gandharvas, serpents—subduing them in battle.” Viśvāmitra then began to bestow upon Rāma the celestial armory: “I give you the powerful Daṇḍa-cakra, the Wheel of Righteousness, the Wheel of Time, the fierce Discus of Vishnu, and Indra’s discus as well. Accept the thunderbolt missile, the excellent trident of Shiva, the Brahmaśiras weapon, and the missile of Īśa. Receive the supreme Brahma missile, and two auspicious maces named Modakī and Śikharī. I bestow upon you the blazing noose of Dharma and the noose of Time, the Varuna noose, and the supreme Varuna missile. Take two thunderbolts, dry and wet, and the Pinaka missile, the Narayana missile, and the beloved Agneya missile called Śikhara. “O sinless one, I give you the Vāyavya missile, the Hayashira missile, and the Krauncha missile. Take also two spears, the dreadful Kankāla, the mace, the skull, and the Kiṅkiṇī—all for the destruction of the Rākṣasas. Accept the great Vidyādhara missile and the one called Nandana. I give you the jewel among swords, the Gandharva missile called Mohana, as well as the Prasvāpana (sleep-inducing), Praśamana (pacifying), and gentle missile. Take the Varṣaṇa (causing rain), Śoṣaṇa (drying), Saṃtāpana and Vilāpana (causing heat and lamentation), the irresistible Mādana missile beloved of Kandarpa, and the Gandharva missile called Mānava. “Receive the Piśāca missile named Mohana, the Tāmasa missile, the mighty Saumana, the irresistible Saṃvarta, and the Mausala. Take the Satyam missile, the supreme Māyāmaya, the Sauram called Tejaḥprabha, which draws away the power of others. Accept the Soma missile called Śiśira (cooling), the dreadful Tvaṣṭra missile, the fierce Bhaga missile, the Śīteṣu, and the Mānava. All these, which can assume any form at will, are of great power and excellence—receive them at once, O mighty-armed prince.” Having purified himself and facing the east, the great sage Viśvāmitra joyfully imparted to Rāma the supreme collection of mantras, thus arming him with the celestial knowledge and weapons needed for the tasks ahead.