With deep reverence and joy, the great sage Viśvāmitra began to bestow upon Rāma, the scion of the Raghu line, an extraordinary array of celestial weapons. “O Rāghava,” he said, “I give you the Prasvāpana missile, which induces sleep, the Praśamana, which pacifies, and the gentle missile. Receive also the Varṣaṇa, which brings rain, the Śoṣaṇa, which dries, and the Saṃtāpana and Vilāpana, which cause heat and lamentation. Take also the irresistible Mādana missile, beloved of Kandarpa, and the cherished Gandharva missile, known as Mānava. Accept the dear Piśāca missile, called Mohana, O tiger among men. Here too are the Tāmasa missile, the mighty Saumana, the unstoppable Saṃvarta, and the powerful Mausala. O mighty-armed prince, I grant you the Satyam missile and the supreme Māyāmaya; the Sauram, called Tejaḥprabha, which draws away the brilliance of others. Receive the Soma missile, known as Śiśira, which cools, the dreadful Tvaṣṭra missile, the fierce Bhaga missile, the Śīteṣu, and the Mānava. All these weapons, O Rāma, are of great power, able to assume any form at will, and are of the highest excellence. Take them at once, O prince.” Having thus purified himself and facing east, the great sage joyfully imparted to Rāma the supreme collection of mantras. He revealed to Rāghava those weapons whose complete mastery is difficult even for the gods. As Viśvāmitra chanted the sacred hymns, all the resplendent weapons appeared before Rāma. With hands joined in reverence, the weapons themselves addressed Rāma, “O Rāghava, we are your devoted servants, most noble one. Whatever you desire, may it be auspicious for you; we shall accomplish it all.” Thus spoken to by these mighty beings, Rāma’s heart became tranquil and serene. Filled with delight, radiant in his energy, Rāma offered salutations to the great sage Viśvāmitra and prepared to depart. Now listen to the continuation of this sacred narrative. Having received the divine weapons, pure and beaming with joy, Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, spoke to Viśvāmitra as they walked together. “O revered one, now that I have obtained these weapons, I am unconquerable even by the gods. But, O foremost of sages, I wish also to learn the means to withdraw them.” Viśvāmitra, steadfast in his discipline and purity, then taught Rāma the methods of withdrawal for each weapon. He instructed him in Satyavanta, Satyakīrti, Dhṛṣṭa, and Rabhasa, as well as Pratihāratara, and the ways to counter and recall the weapons. He taught Lakṣya and Alakṣya, Dṛḍhanābha and Sunābhaka, Daśākṣa and Śatavaktra, Daśaśīrṣa and Śatodara. Further, he imparted knowledge of Padmanābha, Mahānābha, Dundunābha, Sunābhaka, Jyotiṣa, Śakuna, and both Nairāsya and Vimala. He continued with 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. Then Kāmarūpa, Kāmaruci, Mohamāvaraṇa, Jṛmbhaka, Sarvanābha, and Panthanavaruṇa. “O Rāma, accept also the radiant, shape-shifting sons of Kṛśāśva from me; you are worthy, may it be auspicious for you,” said the sage. With a heart full of joy, Rāma replied, “Certainly.” The divine, radiant, embodied weapons appeared before him, bringing delight. Some glowed like embers, some were like smoke, some shone like the moon and sun, and some stood with hands joined in reverence. Addressing Rāma with sweet words, they said, “Here we are, O tiger among men; command us, what shall we do for you?” Rāma replied, “Go as you wish; at the time of need, you will aid me with your minds.” Having circumambulated Rāma in reverence, the weapons departed as they had come, saying, “So be it.” As they continued their journey, Rāma, recognizing the significance of these events, spoke gently to the great sage Viśvāmitra. “What is that cluster of trees, dark as rainclouds, shining near the mountain? My curiosity about it is great. It is beautiful, teeming with deer, exceedingly charming, and filled with birds whose delightful calls adorn the scene. We have emerged from the dense forest that thrilled us, and by this, I sense the pleasantness of this region. Tell me, O revered one, whose hermitage is this, where those wicked slayers of Brahmins once came upon you? To obstruct your sacrifice, those evil-minded ones came—what is that place where your sacrificial rites are performed?” Now, listen to the next part of this sacred story. As 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. Meanwhile, O Rāma, the sage Kaśyapa, radiant as fire, together with Aditi, shone with energy. The blessed one, accompanied by the goddess, completed a divine vow for a thousand years and praised Madhusudana, the bestower of boons.