Vishvamitra, the great sage, began to instruct Rama in the sacred and divine weapons, teaching him the secrets of Yaugandhara and Vinidra, both destroyers of demons, as well as Śucibāhu, Mahābāhu, Niṣkali, Viruca, Sārcirmālī, Dhṛtimālī, Vṛttimān, and Rucira. He continued, revealing the knowledge of Pitrya and Saumanasa, both Vidhūtamakaras, Paravīra, Rati, and Dhanadhānya to Rama, O descendant of Raghu. Further, he bestowed upon him the understanding of Kāmarūpa, Kāmaruci, Mohamāvaraṇa, Jṛmbhaka, Sarvanābha, and Panthanavaruṇa. Vishvamitra then addressed Rama, saying, “O Rama, accept from me the radiant, shape-shifting sons of Kṛśāśva; you are worthy of them, and may this be auspicious for you.” Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha line, replied with gentle joy, “Certainly.” At that very moment, the divine, radiant, embodied weapons appeared before him, bringing delight to his heart. Some of these weapons shone like glowing embers, some were veiled in smoke, others radiated like the moon and sun, and some stood with hands joined in reverence. With sweet words, these radiant forms addressed Rama, “Here we are, O tiger among men. Command us—what shall we do for you?” Rama spoke to them with kindness, “Go as you wish; in times of need, you will assist me with your minds.” Having received his leave, the weapons circumambulated Rama in reverence, said, “So be it,” and departed as they had come. Recognizing the significance of these divine gifts, Rama turned to the great sage Vishvamitra as they walked on, and spoke with gentle, sweet words, “O revered one, what is that cluster of trees, dark as rain 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?” Vishvamitra, radiant and immeasurable, began to explain. “Hear now, Rama, the tale of this sacred place. Here, Vishnu himself, revered by the gods, spent many years and hundreds of ages. Once, O Rama, the great sage Kashyapa, radiant as fire, together with Aditi, shone with spiritual energy. The blessed sage, accompanied by the goddess, completed a divine vow for a thousand years and praised Madhusudana, the bestower of boons. Kashyapa spoke with devotion: ‘I see you, the supreme person, composed of austerity, the very essence of all penance. In your body, O Lord, I see this entire world; you are without beginning and beyond description; I have taken refuge in you.’ Hari, pleased with Kashyapa, freed him from all sin and said, ‘Choose a boon, may good come to you; you are worthy and dear to me.’ Kashyapa replied, ‘Aditi, the gods, and I have requested this together: O bestower of boons, supremely pleased, you are worthy to grant a boon; O steadfast one, let this sage, this sinless one, become my son, and also the son of Aditi. Become the younger brother of Indra, O slayer of asuras; you ought to assist the gods who are afflicted by sorrow.’” After this sacred story was told, the narrative continued. The two princes, Rama and Lakshmana, foremost among men, who knew the proper place and time and were skilled in speech, spoke to Vishvamitra: “O venerable one, we wish to know at what time the night-roving demons must be protected against. Tell us, so that we do not miss that moment.” Thus spoke the two sons of Kakutstha, eager and prepared for battle. All the sages, delighted, praised the princes for their courage. Vishvamitra instructed them, “From today, for six nights, you two Raghavas must guard; for I have undertaken a vow and will observe silence.” Hearing these words, the illustrious princes, Rama and Lakshmana, remained sleepless for six days and nights, vigilantly protecting the hermitage. Mighty warriors and skilled archers, they attended with care and protected the great sage Vishvamitra, destroyer of foes. When the sixth day had passed and the destined time arrived, Rama spoke to Saumitri, “Be alert and attentive.” As Rama spoke, eager and ready for battle, the altar blazed forth, with teachers and priests assembled. The altar, adorned with darbha grass, ladles, vessels, and heaps of sacrificial flowers, together with Vishvamitra and the officiating priests, shone brightly. The sacrifice proceeded according to the prescribed rites and mantras. Then, a great and terrifying sound arose in the sky. A cloud covered the heavens, as in the rainy season; the two rākṣasas, Mārīca and Subāhu, employing their magic, rushed forward. Fierce as thunderclouds, they arrived with their followers and poured down streams of blood. Seeing the altar drenched with that torrent, Rama swiftly rushed forward and beheld the demons in the sky, ready to defend the sacrifice with all his might.