After the heroic deeds of Rama and Lakshmana were accomplished, the two noble brothers, hearts filled with joy and delight, spent the night peacefully at that sacred place. With the coming of dawn, they performed their morning rites and, together, approached the sage Vishvamitra and the assembly of other seers. Bowing reverently before the sage, who shone with the brilliance of fire, Rama and Lakshmana addressed him in gentle, respectful words: “O tiger among sages, here we stand before you, ready to serve. Command us, O best of ascetics—what would you have us do?” Hearing their humble request, all the great sages, led by Vishvamitra, spoke to Rama. “O best of men, King Janaka of Mithila is about to perform a most righteous sacrifice. Let us journey there together. You, too, O mighty prince, should come with us; for there you are worthy to behold a wondrous and precious bow. This bow, once presented by the gods themselves in a great assembly, is of immeasurable power and awe-inspiring might, shining supremely at the sacrifice. No god, gandharva, asura, rakshasa, nor any human has ever succeeded in stringing it, though many mighty princes have tried in vain to test its strength. “This bow, O descendant of Kakutstha, belongs to the great-souled king of Mithila. There, you will witness both the bow and the wondrous sacrifice. The king of Mithila, ever praised by the gods, once requested this supreme bow as the reward for his sacrifice, and it has been kept ever since in his palace as a sacred treasure, honored with fragrant perfumes and incense of aguru wood.” Having thus spoken, the great sage Vishvamitra prepared to depart, along with the assembly of seers and Rama, bidding farewell to the forest-dwellers. “Farewell to you all,” he said, “I now leave Siddhashrama, accomplished in my purpose, and journey to the northern bank of the Jahnavi, to the rocky heights of the Himalayas.” So spoke Kauśika, the tiger among sages, resplendent in his austerity, as he set out toward the north. As the great sage departed, a large company of devoted followers—those learned in the Vedas—accompanied him for a distance equal to a hundred carts. Even the deer and birds of Siddhashrama followed the great-souled, ascetic Vishvamitra. After traveling a long way, as the sun began to set, the groups of seers and the flocks of birds took their leave and turned back. With the sun now set, the sages bathed and performed their fire offerings. Then, led by Vishvamitra, those of immeasurable energy sat down to rest. Rama, along with Saumitri, honored the sages and took his seat before the wise Vishvamitra. Filled with curiosity, Rama, radiant and mighty, addressed the sage: “Revered one, what is this land, so beautifully adorned with flourishing forests? I wish to hear about it. Please, tell me truly.” Thus addressed, the virtuous sage Vishvamitra, amidst the assembly of seers, began to narrate the story of that land. “There was once a great ascetic named Kuśa, born from Brahma himself—a steadfast, righteous knower of dharma, honored by the virtuous. This mighty soul begot four worthy sons with a noble lady from Vidarbha: Kuśāmba, Kuśanābha, Asūrtarajas, and Vasu. Each was radiant, energetic, and committed to the duties of the warrior class. “Kuśa addressed his sons, who were righteous and truthful, saying: ‘My sons, govern well; by upholding righteousness, you will attain great merit.’ Hearing their father’s words, the four noble princes each established a city of their own. Kuśāmba founded the splendid city of Kauśāmbī; Kuśanābha, ever righteous, established Mahodaya; Asūrtarajas created Dharmāraṇya; and Vasu founded the excellent city of Girivraja. “O Rama, this very land before us belongs to the great-souled Vasu. Around us shine five excellent mountains, and through them flows the delightful river Sumāgadhī, renowned among the Māgadhas. Like a garland, this river graces the midst of these five chief mountains. This, O Rama, is the Māgadhī river of the great Vasu, long frequented, fertile, and rich with crops. “Kuśanābha, the royal sage, righteous in soul, begot a hundred incomparable daughters with the celestial nymph Ghṛtācī, O descendant of Raghu. These maidens, adorned with youth and beauty, splendidly decorated, entered the garden grounds like a hundred rivers in the rainy season. Singing, dancing, and playing instruments, adorned with fine ornaments, they experienced supreme delight. Beautiful in every limb, unmatched in form on earth, they entered the gardens like stars among the clouds.