As the journey continued, Rama, filled with curiosity and reverence, turned to Vishvamitra and asked, “O revered one, tell me everything. 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 arrived. What is this place where your sacrificial rites are performed?” Vishvamitra, radiant and wise, began to recount the ancient tale. “Hear now, Rama, the story of this hermitage, as told in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, in the Bala Kanda. You have asked about the immeasurable one; let me explain. Here, O Rama of mighty arms, Vishnu himself, revered by the gods, spent many years—hundreds of ages—in this very place. Meanwhile, the great sage Kashyapa, radiant as fire and accompanied by Aditi, shone with energy. Together, they undertook a divine vow for a thousand years, worshipping Madhusudana, the bestower of boons. Upon completing their austerities, Kashyapa praised Vishnu, saying, ‘I see you, O supreme person, composed of austerity, the very embodiment and essence of austerity, revealed to me by my own well-performed austerity. In your body, O Lord, I see this entire world; you are without beginning and beyond description. I seek refuge in you.’ Hari, pleased with Kashyapa, addressed him, ‘Choose a boon, O sinless one. May good come to you; you are worthy of a boon and dear to me.’ Kashyapa replied, ‘Aditi, the gods, and I together request this: O bestower of boons, supremely pleased, let this sage, sinless one, become my son, and also the son of Aditi. Become the younger brother of Indra, O slayer of asuras, and assist the gods who are afflicted by sorrow.’ Thus, this sacred hermitage—Siddhashrama—became the site of Vishnu’s incarnation as Vamana, fulfilling the wish of Kashyapa and Aditi.” As the tale concluded, the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana, foremost among men, who knew the proper place and time and were skilled in speech, spoke to Kauśika, the sage Vishvamitra. “O venerable one, we wish to know at what time the night-roving demons must be guarded against. Tell us, so that we do not miss that moment.” Eager and ready for battle, the sons of Kakutstha spoke, and all the sages, delighted, praised them. Vishvamitra instructed, “From today, for six nights, you two Raghavas must guard the hermitage. I have undertaken a vow and will observe silence.” Hearing these words, the illustrious princes remained sleepless for six days and nights, vigilantly protecting the hermitage. The two mighty warriors, skilled archers, attended to their task, guarding the great sage Vishvamitra, destroyer of foes. When the sixth day had passed and the crucial time arrived, Rama spoke to Saumitri, “Be alert and attentive.” As Rama spoke, eager and ready for battle, the altar blazed forth, attended by teachers and priests. 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. Suddenly, a great and terrifying sound arose in the sky. A cloud covered the heavens, as in the rainy season, and two rākṣasas—Mārīca and Subāhu—along with their fierce followers, arrived, pouring down streams of blood. Seeing the altar drenched with blood, Rama swiftly rushed forward and saw the demons in the sky. As the two rākṣasas descended, the lotus-eyed prince looked at Lakshmana and said, “Look, Lakshmana, at these wicked rākṣasas, eaters of flesh, driven by the force of the mānava missile, just as clouds are scattered by the wind. I will do it, there is no doubt; yet I cannot bring myself to kill such as these.” Having spoken thus, Rama readied his bow. Supremely noble and radiant, Rama, in great anger, released the powerful Manava missile at Maricha’s chest. Struck by its force, Maricha was hurled a full hundred yojanas into the ocean’s surge. Seeing Maricha unconscious and tormented by the chill force of the arrow, Rama spoke to Lakshmana, “See, Lakshmana, the Manava arrow, composed by Manu, bewilders him and carries him away, yet does not take his life. These others too I shall slay—the merciless, the wicked-doers, the Rakshasas who destroy sacrifices and feast on blood.” Having spoken thus, Rama, as if to display his skill, took up the mighty Agneya missile and hurled it at Subahu’s chest. Struck, Subahu fell to the ground. Then Rama seized the Vayavya weapon and destroyed the rest, bringing joy to the sages. Having slain all the Rakshasas who destroyed sacrifices, the delight of the Raghus was honored by the sages, just as Indra was honored in victory. When the sacrifice was complete, the great sage Vishvamitra, seeing the quarters cleared of evil, spoke to Rama, “O mighty-armed one, my purpose is fulfilled; you have accomplished your teacher’s command. O illustrious hero, you have truly sanctified this Siddhashrama.” Thus praising Rama, Vishvamitra approached the evening rites with the two princes at his side.