Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, Rama, the scion of Raghu, rose to display his divine prowess. He seized the mighty Agneya missile and, with perfect aim, hurled it at Subahu’s chest. Struck by the blazing weapon, Subahu fell lifeless to the ground. Then, the illustrious Rama grasped the Vayavya weapon and unleashed it upon the rest of the rakshasas, dispersing them utterly. The sages, witnessing the destruction of those who had so long ruined their sacred rites, rejoiced in their deliverance. With the rakshasas slain, Rama—the delight of the Raghu lineage—was honored by the gathered ascetics as Indra was once honored after victory. When the sacrifice was at last complete, the great sage Vishvamitra, seeing the quarters cleared of evil, turned to Rama and spoke with deep satisfaction: “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 then led both princes to the evening rites. That night, their task accomplished, Rama and Lakshmana rested in Siddhashrama, their hearts light and joyful. When dawn broke, they performed their morning devotions and approached Vishvamitra and the other sages, greeting them with reverence. Standing before the radiant sage, the two brothers addressed him with gentle, noble words: “O tiger among sages, here we stand as your attendants. Command us, best of sages—what shall we do?” At these words, all the great sages, with Vishvamitra at their head, spoke to Rama: “O best of men, Janaka, king of Mithila, is about to perform a most righteous sacrifice. Let us go there. And you too, O tiger among men, shall accompany us, for there you are worthy to behold a wondrous and precious bow. That bow, once given by the gods in their assembly, is immeasurably powerful and terrible, shining supremely at the sacrifice. Neither gods, gandharvas, asuras, rakshasas, nor any human has been able to string it. Many mighty princes have tried to test its strength, but none has succeeded. “That bow belongs to the great-souled king of Mithila. There, O descendant of Kakutstha, you will see both the bow and the most wondrous sacrifice. The king of Mithila, ever praised by the gods, received that supreme bow as the fruit of a sacrifice. It is kept in his palace as a sacred object, honored with fragrant offerings and incense of aguru wood.” Having spoken thus, the great sage made ready to depart, bidding farewell to the forest dwellers: “Farewell to you all; I shall go, my purpose accomplished, from Siddhashrama to the northern bank of the Jahnavi, toward the rocky heights of the Himalayas.” So saying, the tiger among sages, Vishvamitra, rich in austerity, set out northward. A vast assembly of followers, devoted to the Vedas, accompanied him for a great distance. Even the deer and birds of Siddhashrama followed the great sage as he departed. When evening approached and the sun was setting, the assembly of seers and the birds turned back. The sages bathed and performed their fire offerings, then, led by Vishvamitra, sat down together. Rama and Lakshmana, having duly honored the sages, sat before the wise Vishvamitra. With curiosity shining on his face, Rama addressed the sage: “Revered one, what is this land, adorned with flourishing forests? I wish to hear—may it be well with you—please tell me truly.” Thus addressed, the virtuous Vishvamitra, amidst the assembly of seers, began to narrate the history of that land: “Once there was a great ascetic named Kusha, born from Brahma himself, steadfast in his vows, a knower of righteousness, and honored by the virtuous. This great soul, endowed with immense strength, begot four worthy sons with a noble woman from Vidarbha: Kushamba, Kushanabha, Asurtarajas, and Vasu—radiant, energetic, and intent on upholding the duties of the warrior class. “Kusha addressed his sons, who were righteous and truthful: ‘My sons, govern well; by upholding righteousness, you will obtain great merit.’ Obedient to their father’s words, those four noble princes each established their own cities. Kushamba, of great splendor, founded the city of Kaushambi; Kushanabha, righteous in soul, established Mahodaya. Asurtarajas, the king, made a city called Dharmaranya, and Vasu, the ruler, founded the excellent city of Girivraja. “O Rama, this very land is that of Vasu, the great soul, and these five excellent mountains you see shine all around us. The delightful river Sumagadhi, famed among the Magadhas, flows here, gracing the midst of these five chief mountains like a garland. This, O Rama, is the Magadhi river of the great Vasu, long frequented, fertile, and abundant with crops.” Thus, Vishvamitra recounted the ancient history of the sacred land to Rama and Lakshmana, as the assembly of sages listened in reverent silence.