As Rāma stood before the great sage Viśvāmitra, the sage, radiant in wisdom and compassion, began to bestow upon him a remarkable array of divine weapons. “O tiger among men, O prince,” Viśvāmitra declared, “I grant you the blazing noose of Dharma, and likewise the noose of Time.” With solemn reverence, he continued, “I give you the Varuna noose and the supreme Varuna missile, as well as two thunderbolts—dry and wet—O delight of the Raghus.” Viśvāmitra’s gifts did not cease there. He presented Rāma with the Pinaka missile, the Narayana missile, and the beloved Agneya missile, known as Śikhara. “O sinless one,” he said, “I give you the Vāyavya missile, the Hayashira missile, and the Krauncha missile.” To the descendant of Kakutstha, he offered two spears, the dreadful Kankāla, the mace, the skull, and the Kiṅkiṇī, all for the destruction of the Rākṣasas. The great Vidyādhara missile and the one called Nandana were also given. “O mighty-armed one, O son of the foremost king,” Viśvāmitra intoned, “I give you the jewel among swords, the Gandharva missile called Mohana.” He bestowed upon Rāma the Prasvāpana, which induces sleep, the Praśamana, which pacifies, and the gentle missile. He also gave him the Varṣaṇa, which causes rain, the Śoṣaṇa, which dries, and the Saṃtāpana and Vilāpana, which cause heat and lamentation. The irresistible Mādana missile, beloved of Kandarpa, and the Gandharva missile called Mānava were then granted. The Piśāca missile, also called Mohana, was given, and Viśvāmitra urged Rāma to receive these gifts. He continued with the Tāmasa missile, the mighty Saumana, the irresistible Saṃvarta, and the Mausala. “O mighty-armed one,” the sage said, “here is the Satyam missile and the supreme Māyāmaya. I give you the Sauram, called Tejaḥprabha, which draws away the power of others.” The Soma missile, called Śiśira for its cooling nature, the dreadful Tvaṣṭra missile, the fierce Bhaga missile, the Śīteṣu, and the Mānava missile were all bestowed. “O Rāma, mighty-armed one,” Viśvāmitra declared, “take these weapons, which can assume any form at will, of great power and utmost excellence.” Then, having purified himself and facing east, the sage joyfully imparted to Rāma the supreme collection of mantras, revealing weapons whose complete acquisition is difficult even for the gods. As Viśvāmitra recited his sacred chants, all the splendid weapons approached Rāma. With joy, they spoke to him, their hands joined in reverence: “O Rāghava, we are your devoted servants, most noble one. Whatever you desire, may it be auspicious for you; we shall accomplish it all.” Hearing these words, Rāma became serene in spirit. Filled with delight and radiant energy, Rāma saluted the great sage Viśvāmitra and began to depart, his heart brimming with gratitude. Now, listen to the twenty-eighth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Having received the weapons, pure and joyful, the descendant of Kakutstha spoke to Viśvāmitra as they walked. “O revered one, I have obtained these weapons and am now unconquerable even by the gods. But, O foremost of sages, I wish to learn the means to withdraw them.” When Rāma spoke thus, Viśvāmitra, steadfast and pure, imparted the means of withdrawal. He taught Rāma Satyavanta, Satyakīrti, Dhṛṣṭa, Rabhasa, Pratihāratara, and the methods for facing and turning away. He instructed him in Lakṣya and Alakṣya, Dṛḍhanābha and Sunābhaka, Daśākṣa and Śatavaktra, Daśaśīrṣa and Śatodara. He taught Padmanābha, Mahānābha, Dundunābha, Sunābhaka, Jyotiṣa, Śakuna, and both Nairāsya and Vimala. Further, he taught Yaugandhara and Vinidra, destroyers of demons, Śucibāhu, Mahābāhu, Niṣkali, Viruca, Sārcirmālī, Dhṛtimālī, Vṛttimān, and Rucira. He imparted knowledge of Pitrya and Saumanasa, both Vidhūtamakaras, Paravīra, Rati, and Dhanadhānya. He taught Kāmarūpa, Kāmaruci, Mohamāvaraṇa, Jṛmbhaka, Sarvanābha, and Panthanavaruṇa. “O Rāma,” Viśvāmitra said, “accept the radiant, shape-shifting sons of Kṛśāśva from me; you are worthy, may it be auspicious for you.” Rāma replied, “Certainly,” his heart inwardly joyful. The divine, radiant, embodied weapons appeared, bringing delight. Some resembled glowing embers, some were like smoke, some shone like the moon and sun, and some stood with hands joined in reverence. With sweet words, these beings addressed Rāma: “Here we are, O tiger among men; command us, what shall we do for you?” Rāma said, “Go as you wish; in times of need, you will assist me with your minds.” Having taken leave of Rāma and circumambulated him, they replied, “So be it,” and departed as they had come. Recognizing their presence, Rāma spoke to the great sage Viśvāmitra as they walked, uttering gentle and sweet words: “What is that cluster of trees, dark as clouds, shining near the mountain? My curiosity about it is truly great. It is beautiful to behold, teeming with deer and exceedingly charming, adorned by birds of many kinds with delightful calls. We have emerged, O foremost of sages, from the dense forest that thrilled us; by this, I understand the pleasantness of this region.” Thus Rāma, having received the divine weapons and their secrets, continued his journey with Viśvāmitra, his heart filled with wonder and gratitude, as the beauty of the land unfolded before them.