When the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra arrived at the sacrificial grounds of King Janaka, the king first inquired after his well-being, the flawless progress of the great sacrifice, and the welfare of all the assembled sages, teachers, and priests. With due reverence, he greeted each sage as was proper, his heart filled with joy at their presence. Then, with hands respectfully joined, King Janaka approached Viśvāmitra, the foremost among sages, and addressed him with humility. The venerable sage Viśvāmitra, together with the eminent sages, took his seat as Janaka had invited. All the priests, officiants, and the king’s counselors found their proper places, seated in fitting order around the sacrificial ground. Gazing upon Viśvāmitra, King Janaka spoke with gratitude: “Today, the gods have truly fulfilled the success of my sacrifice by your presence. I have attained the highest fruit of this rite simply by beholding you, O revered sage. Blessed and favored indeed am I, for you, the eminent sage, have come to my sacrifice.” He continued, “O Brahman, you have entered this sacred enclosure with your company of sages. The wise declare that the consecration for this sacrifice lasts twelve days, O Brahmarṣi. Therefore, O Kauśika, you should witness the gods as they come to claim their shares. Having spoken thus, his face radiant with joy, Janaka once more, with joined palms and deep devotion, respectfully asked the sage: “May you be blessed! Who are these two youths, equal to the gods in valor, with a gait like mighty elephants? They resemble tigers and bulls, their eyes broad and lovely as lotuses, bearing swords, quivers, and bows. In beauty, they are like the Aśvin twins, standing at the very threshold of youth. They seem to have arrived on earth as if by chance, like immortals from the heavens. How have they come here on foot, for what purpose, and to whom do they belong, O sage? Heroes bearing excellent weapons, whose sons are they, O great sage? They grace this land as the moon and sun adorn the sky. They resemble each other in stature, gestures, and movements, their locks dark as crow’s wings. I wish to hear the truth about them.” Hearing these earnest words from the noble Janaka, the immeasurable sage Viśvāmitra revealed, “These are the sons of Daśaratha.” He told of their residence at Siddhāśrama, the slaying of the rākṣasas, their untroubled journey, and their visit to Viśālā. He spoke of their encounter with Ahalyā, her reunion with Gautama, and their coming here to test the great bow—all these deeds, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra recounted to Janaka, and then he paused. Now begins the fifty-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Hearing Viśvāmitra’s words, Śatānanda—radiant, ascetic, and Gautama’s eldest son—was filled with wonder; his hair stood on end at the sight of Rāma. Śatānanda, shining with the fruits of austerity, gazed at the two princes seated comfortably and addressed the foremost sage, Viśvāmitra: “O tiger among sages, did my illustrious mother, long devoted to austerity, appear before the royal prince? Did she, resplendent and steadfast, offer Rāma the worship due to all beings, bringing him gifts from the forest? Was it told to Rāma what happened long ago—what my glorious mother suffered at the hands of the god? O Kauśika, was my mother, the best of sages’ wives, reunited with my father, her teacher, after seeing Rāma? O son of Kuśika, did my father honor Rāma, the great-souled one, who came here and received worship? Did my teacher, with a peaceful mind, receive honor and greeting from Rāma, who came here?” Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, replied, “O best of sages, nothing was left undone by me. Your mother was indeed reunited with your father, just as Reṇukā was with Bhārgava.” Hearing Viśvāmitra’s words, Śatānanda, radiant and filled with joy, turned to Rāma and addressed him: “Welcome to you, best of men! By great fortune, you have come, O Rāghava, led here by the unconquered and great sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, of immeasurable brilliance, is a brahmarṣi whose deeds are beyond thought, attained by the highest austerity—I know his supreme state. There is no one on earth more blessed than you, Rāma, for the son of Kuśika, who performed great austerity, is your protector. “Listen, as I recount to you, according to my ability and as it truly happened, the story of the great sage Kauśika; hear it from me as I narrate. “He was a righteous king, a subduer of foes for a long time, learned in dharma, accomplished in knowledge, and devoted to the welfare of his people. There was a king named Kuśa, son of Prajāpati, and Kuśa’s son was the powerful and supremely righteous Kuśanābha. Kuśanābha’s son was renowned as Gādhi, and Gādhi’s son, the great and radiant sage, was Viśvāmitra. “The mighty and illustrious Viśvāmitra ruled the earth for many thousands of years, governing as king. Once, the great and radiant king assembled his army and, surrounded by his divisions, journeyed across the land. The king traveled through cities, kingdoms, rivers, and great mountains, and, visiting hermitages in turn, he arrived at one.” Thus, the gathering at Janaka’s sacrifice became the stage for the meeting of sages and princes, for questions of lineage and purpose, and for the recounting of Viśvāmitra’s wondrous life.