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A beautiful sunrise over the Sone heralded the dawn. The sounds of birds and forest animals filled the air as …

The boys looked around and saw nearby a line of sages, holding their waterpots and staffs, wading through the water …

After some time they sighted the Ganges shining in the late afternoon sun, appearing in the distance like a line …

Moved by this question Viśvāmitra called to mind the glories of the Ganges and began to speak. [See Appendix One, …

The following morning they went towards the northeast, heading for Mithila. Gradually the forest paths gave way to roads laid …

Shouts of children and the rumbling of horse-drawn chariots greeted them as they entered the gates of Mithila. Huge elephants …

Headed by Viśvāmitra and the princes, the party was led along the main highway to Janaka’s palace. People thronged the …

Janaka personally came out to greet them, accompanied by his priests and counselors. He immediately fell at Viśvāmitra’s feet and …

Once the formalities were complete, a meal was offered to the sage and the princes. As they sat on the …

The king had waited until the travelers were rested and refreshed before making his inquiries. Viśvāmitra told him all about …

At that point Satananda, Janaka’s head priest, spoke to the princes. After welcoming them he began to narrate the history …

He told them how the sage had once been a great king and, after practicing tremendous austerities, had been blessed …

Janaka, along with his ministers and priest, circumambulated Viśvāmitra in respect and then departed. After performing their evening rituals and …

The following morning Janaka again came before Viśvāmitra. He bowed low before the sage and touched his feet, asking in …

Hearing these words from the virtuous and gentle king, Viśvāmitra asked that they now be shown the bow. Janaka assented, …

Long past, in a former age the bow had belonged to Śiva. That deity had become angry with the other …

But the gods relented and quickly worshipped the infuriated Śiva. They had managed to appease him, whereupon he gave the …

Janaka continued speaking to the sage and the princes, who listened with great curiosity. “Once I was performing a sacrifice …

“Many proud kings thought they would easily bend the bow. However, coming before that bow they were soon shorn of …