Rama and Lakshmana, filled with respect, turned to the venerable sage and inquired, “O revered one, at what time must we be most vigilant in protecting against the night-roving demons? Please tell us, so that we do not miss the crucial moment.” The two sons of the Kakutstha line, eager for the coming battle, spoke with urgency, and all the assembled sages, delighted by their spirit, praised the courageous princes. Viśvāmitra, the great sage, then instructed them: “From today, for six nights, you two descendants of Raghu must keep watch. I have taken a sacred vow and shall observe silence during this period.” Hearing these words, Rama and Lakshmana, illustrious and steadfast, remained sleepless for six days and nights, guarding the hermitage with unwavering vigilance. Both princes, mighty warriors and masters of the bow, kept watch with utmost alertness, protecting the great sage Viśvāmitra, destroyer of foes. When the sixth day had passed and the appointed hour arrived, Rama turned to his brother and said, “Lakshmana, be alert and attentive.” As Rama spoke, his heart eager and ready for battle, the altar blazed with sacred fire, surrounded by teachers and priests. The sacrificial altar was adorned with darbha grass, ladles, vessels, and heaps of flowers, and in the presence of Viśvāmitra and the officiating priests, it shone brilliantly. The sacrifice proceeded flawlessly, following the prescribed rites and mantras, when suddenly, a great and terrifying sound echoed in the sky. A dense cloud covered the heavens, as in the rainy season, and the two rākṣasas, Mārīca and Subāhu, employing their dark magic, rushed forward with their followers. Fierce as thunderclouds, they arrived and poured down torrents of blood upon the sacrificial ground. Seeing the altar awash in this gruesome rain, Rama swiftly advanced and beheld the demons soaring in the sky. As the two rākṣasas descended, the lotus-eyed Rama turned to Lakshmana and said, “Look, Lakshmana, at these wicked flesh-eating demons, driven away by the force of the mānava missile, just as clouds are scattered by the wind. I shall act—there is no doubt—but I cannot bring myself to kill all such beings.” With these words, the swift Rama readied his bow. Noble and radiant, Rama, filled with righteous anger, released the powerful Manava missile at Mārīca’s chest. Struck by that supreme weapon, Mārīca was hurled a full hundred yojanas away, cast into the surging ocean. Rama then spoke to Lakshmana, “Behold, Lakshmana, the Manava arrow, composed by Manu, bewilders and carries him away, but does not take his life.” Rama continued, “These others, the merciless and wicked rākṣasas who destroy sacrifices and feast on blood, I shall slay.” As if to display his skill, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, took up the mighty Agneya missile and hurled it at Subāhu’s chest. Struck, Subāhu fell lifeless to the ground. Then the illustrious Rama seized the Vayavya weapon and scattered the rest, bringing great joy to the assembled sages. Having destroyed all the rākṣasas who threatened the sacrifice, Rama, the delight of the Raghu line, was honored by the sages, just as Indra was once honored after victory. When the sacrifice was complete and the quarters cleared of evil, the great sage Viśvāmitra addressed 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, Viśvāmitra led the two princes to the evening rites. Now begins the thirty-first sarga in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, in the Bālakāṇḍa. Having accomplished their purpose, Rama and Lakshmana spent that night in peace, their hearts filled with joy and delight. When dawn broke, they performed their morning rites and approached Viśvāmitra and the other sages. Greeting the foremost sage, radiant like fire, the brothers spoke sweetly and with noble words: “O tiger among sages, here we stand as your attendants. Command us, best of sages—what shall we do?” Hearing this, all the great sages, with Viśvāmitra at their head, addressed Rama: “O best of men, King Janaka of Mithilā will soon perform a most righteous sacrifice. Let us go there together. And you, O tiger among men, must come with us, for there you are worthy to behold a wondrous and precious bow. “That bow, O best of men, was once given by the gods in their assembly—a bow of immense power and terror, shining supremely at the sacrifice. Neither gods, nor gandharvas, nor asuras, nor rākṣasas, nor any humans have been able to string it. Many mighty princes have tried to test its strength, but none have succeeded. “This bow, O descendant of Kakutstha, belongs to the great-souled king of Mithilā. There, you shall witness both the bow and the wondrous sacrifice. The supreme bow was granted to King Janaka as the fruit of his sacrifice, praised by all the gods. It is kept in the king’s palace as a sacred object, honored with fragrant incense and aguru wood.” Having spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra prepared to depart, accompanied by the assembly of seers and the two princes, after bidding farewell to the hermitage and its dwellers.