Welcome, O best of men! Fortunate indeed is your arrival here, O Rāghava, brought by the great and unconquered sage Viśvāmitra. Know that Viśvāmitra, of immeasurable brilliance, is a brahmarṣi whose deeds cannot be fathomed, whose supreme state was attained by the power of his austerities—I am well aware of his exalted stature. Truly, Rāma, there is no one on earth more blessed than you, for the son of Kuśika, renowned for his great penance, is now your protector. Now, listen as I recount, to the best of my ability and as it truly happened, the story of the illustrious sage Kauśika—hear it from me as I narrate. Once, there was a righteous king, a subduer of foes for a long time, learned in the ways of dharma, accomplished in knowledge, and ever devoted to the welfare of his people. This was King Kuśa, the son of Prajāpati. Kuśa’s son was the powerful and supremely righteous Kuśanābha. Kuśanābha’s son was the renowned Gādhi, and Gādhi’s own son was the great and radiant sage Viśvāmitra. Viśvāmitra, mighty and illustrious, ruled the earth for many thousands of years, governing as a noble king. One day, this great and radiant monarch assembled his army and, surrounded by his divisions, set out to journey across the land. He traveled through cities and kingdoms, crossed rivers and great mountains, and, visiting hermitages one after another, eventually arrived at a particular one. He came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, a place adorned with flowering vines and trees of every kind, filled with many sorts of animals, and frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. Gods, demons, gandharvas, and kinnaras graced this tranquil hermitage, where peaceful deer roamed and groups of twice-born sages gathered. The place was crowded with assemblies of brahmarṣis and attended by hosts of devarṣis. It was inhabited by great souls accomplished in asceticism, their austerity glowing like fire. Illustrious sages, resembling Brahmā himself, always filled the hermitage—some subsisting only on water, others on air, and some eating nothing but fallen leaves. There were sages who ate only fruits and roots, self-restrained and victorious over their faults and senses, including the Vālakhilyas, devoted to recitation and sacrifice. All around, the Vaikhānasa sages further adorned the hermitage. Viśvāmitra, foremost among the mighty, beheld Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, which seemed like another world of Brahmā itself. Now, hear the next part of this tale as told in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Upon seeing Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra was filled with supreme joy. With reverence, the hero bowed to Vasiṣṭha, foremost among those who recite the sacred mantras. The great Vasiṣṭha welcomed him warmly and offered him a seat of honor. When the wise Viśvāmitra had seated himself, the eminent sage, following custom, brought him fruits and roots as a sign of hospitality. Having received this welcome from Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, best of kings, inquired after the welfare of the ascetics, the sacred fires, and the disciples in the hermitage. At that time, Viśvāmitra, radiant with splendor, spoke words of well-being to Vasiṣṭha, king among sages, amidst the peaceful assembly of trees. Then Vasiṣṭha, foremost among reciters and son of Brahmā, questioned Viśvāmitra, who was comfortably seated and rich in austerity: “O King, is all well with you? Do you govern your people, delighting them through righteousness? Do you rule with the conduct befitting a virtuous king? Are your servants well provided for? Do they remain obedient to your command? Have you conquered all your enemies, O destroyer of foes? O tiger among men, O sinless one, is all well with your armies, your treasury, your friends, sons, and grandsons?” The king replied to Vasiṣṭha that all was well everywhere. Viśvāmitra, radiant with splendor, addressed Vasiṣṭha, who was endowed with humility. Having spent a long time in righteous conversation, the two, joined in supreme joy, delighted in each other’s company. At the end of their conversation, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, O descendant of Raghu, spoke to Viśvāmitra, his face bright with a gentle smile: “I wish to offer hospitality to your mighty army and to you, whose greatness is immeasurable. Please accept from me what is fitting. Please accept this honor I have prepared for you; you are the foremost of guests, O king, and worthy of worship with utmost care.” Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, wise and discerning, replied, “It is done, O king, by your words of welcome. O venerable one, whatever fruits and roots are available in your hermitage, along with water for washing feet and sipping, and the sight of your revered self—in every way, O greatly wise one, I have been properly honored with what is due. I bow to you, and I shall depart—look upon me with friendly eyes.” As the king spoke thus, Vasiṣṭha, righteous and noble-minded, repeatedly invited him again and again. Gādhi’s son replied to Vasiṣṭha, “So be it! Let it be as the venerable one desires, O foremost of sages.” Thus addressed, Vasiṣṭha, best among reciters, joyfully summoned Kalmāṣī, purified of sin. “Come, come quickly, Śabala, and listen to my words. I am resolved to provide this royal sage with a most excellent meal and honor—arrange it for me. For each and every one, according to their desire, with six flavors and full honor, let all those divine wish-fulfilling things rain down for me, O Kāmadhenu. O Śabalā, quickly produce every kind of food—solid, liquid, to be licked, and to be sucked—rich with flavors, grains, and drinks.” Thus, the stage was set for wondrous hospitality in the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, as the sage called upon the divine cow to fulfill his vow of honoring the mighty king and his retinue.