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46 famous sage Viswamitra, and sought the king's aid in a certain matter, and Dasaratha, ever prompt to succour holy men, gave consent without condition. The sage then expounded the matter, to wit, that he was sore hindered in the performance of religious rites by certain evil fiends. These he might slay by his own curse, at the time, but it were better that they should fall by a warrior's hand. To this end, Viswamitra begged of King Dasaratha the aid of his son Rama, to smite these foes, which, protected by the sage's care, the youth could safely do. Now Rama was but sixteen, and the king, sore troubled, was fain to refuse. Then Viswamitra was wroth, and threatened the king with ruin for breach of his plighted word. Vasishtha then urged Dasaratha to keep his promise, and Viswamitra further said that he possessed the secret of many mystical weapons, the mastery of which he would communicate to Rama. On this the king gave his consent; Rama, well prepared by Viswamitra, set forth in company with his brother Lakshman; the fiends were duly attacked and slain, and Rama emerged from his first warfare in triumph.

After this, Viswamitra suggested that they should go and see the wondrous bow of Janaka, King of Mithila. This bow, which the king had obtained from the god Siva for his sacrificial piety, neither demigod nor demon could bend, and the king had promised the hand of his lovely daughter Sita to him who should bend it. To Mithila, therefore, the princes and their adviser repaired; and there, on hearing of their coming, the king and his coun-