With solemn intent, the great sage Viśvāmitra bestowed upon Rāma an array of celestial weapons, each luminous with divine power. He gave them for the destruction of the Rākṣasas—among them, the mighty Vidyādhara missile and the one named Nandana. Turning to Rāma, whose arms were strong and whose lineage was noble, Viśvāmitra presented the jewel among swords and the enchanting Gandharva missile, called Mohana. Continuing, the sage entrusted Rāma with the Prasvāpana, which induces sleep; the Praśamana, which pacifies; and the gentle missile. He offered also the Varṣaṇa, which brings rain; the Śoṣaṇa, which dries; and the fiery Saṃtāpana and Vilāpana, which cause heat and lamentation. The irresistible Mādana missile, beloved of Kandarpa, was given, along with the Gandharva missile called Mānava. Viśvāmitra then bestowed the Piśāca missile, also named Mohana, urging Rāma—tiger among men and illustrious prince—to receive these gifts. He gave the Tāmasa missile, the mighty Saumana, the unstoppable Saṃvarta, and the formidable Mausala. To Rāma, the mighty-armed one, he gave the Satyam missile and the supreme Māyāmaya, as well as the Sauram, called Tejaḥprabha, which draws away the power of others. The Soma missile, called Śiśira for its cooling nature, was given, as were the dreadful Tvaṣṭra missile, the fierce Bhaga missile, the Śīteṣu, and the Mānava. Viśvāmitra urged Rāma to accept these weapons, which could assume any form at will and were of great power and utmost excellence. Having purified himself and facing east, the sage joyfully imparted to Rāma the supreme collection of mantras, revealing those weapons whose complete acquisition is difficult even for the gods. As the wise Viśvāmitra recited his sacred chants, all the splendid weapons approached Rāma, radiant and eager. With joy, the weapons spoke to Rāma, 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 mighty beings address him, Rāma became serene in spirit. Filled with delight and radiant in energy, Rāma saluted the great sage Viśvāmitra and prepared to depart. Now begins 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,” he said, “I have obtained the 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 Satyavanta, Satyakīrti, Dhṛṣṭa, Rabhasa, and Pratihāratara—the methods for facing and turning away. He taught Lakṣya and Alakṣya, Dṛḍhanābha and Sunābhaka, Daśākṣa and Śatavaktra, Daśaśīrṣa and Śatodara. He taught Padmanābha, Mahānābha, Dundunābha, Sunābhaka, Jyotiṣa, Śakuna, Nairāsya, and Vimala. He taught Yaugandhara and Vinidra, destroyers of demons, Śucibāhu, Mahābāhu, Niṣkali, Viruca, Sārcirmālī, Dhṛtimālī, Vṛttimān, and Rucira. He taught Pitrya and Saumanasa, both Vidhūtamakaras, Paravīra, Rati, and Dhanadhānya. He taught Kāmarūpa, Kāmaruci, Mohamāvaraṇa, Jṛmbhaka, Sarvanābha, and Panthanavaruṇa. “O Rāma,” he said, “accept the radiant, shape-shifting sons of Kṛśāśva from me; you are worthy, may it be auspicious for you.” Rāma replied, “Certainly,” with a joyful heart. The divine, radiant, embodied weapons appeared, bringing delight. Some resembled glowing embers, others were like smoke, some shone like the moon and sun, and some stood with hands joined in reverence. With sweet words, those beings addressed Rāma: “Here we are, O tiger among men; command us, what shall we do for you?” He told them, “Go as you wish; in times of need, you will assist me with your minds.” Having taken leave of Rāma and circumambulated him, they said, “So be it,” and departed as they had come. Recognizing them, Rāma spoke to 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. Tell me everything, O revered one: whose hermitage is this, where those wicked, sinful slayers of Brahmins came upon you? To obstruct your sacrifice, O great sage, those evil-minded ones came. What is that place where your sacrificial rites are performed?” Now begins the twenty-ninth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. When Rāma asked about the immeasurable one, the radiant Viśvāmitra began to explain. “Here, O Rāma of mighty arms, Viṣṇu, revered by the gods, spent many years and hundreds of ages.