Having absorbed the divine essence of celestial astras and mastered the powers of the weapon gods, Rama embarked on a journey on foot, following the venerable sage Visvamitra, whose greatness he now fully comprehended. The sage counseled Rama to maintain firm control over the withdrawal of the celestial arrows that he had so graciously bestowed upon him. “Now, I shall present you with highly potent weapons, crafted by Prajapati Brusasva,” said Visvamitra. “These weapons, upon striking their targets, return to your quiver in an instant. Accept each one, calling out its name and chanting the sacred mantra attached to it. Their powers are vast and multi-dimensional, akin to those you recently acquired.”
The divine spirits of these weapons, known as Satyavanth, Satyakeerthi, Drishti, Rabhasa, Pratihara, Paranmukha, Avanmukha, Lakshya, Vishama, Drustinabha, Sunabha, Dasaksha, Sathavakthra, Dasaseera, Salodara, Padmanabha, Mahanabha, Dundunabha, Jyotisha, Krusava, Sirasa, Vimala, Yogandhara, Haridra, Daitya Prasamana, Dhruthi, Mali, Vruthimantha, Ruchira, Pitrusounasa, Vighta, Makara, Karaveera, Dhana, Dhanya, Kamarupa, Avarana, Jrumbhaka, Sarvanama, Santhana, and Varuna, now entered Rama, filling his latent abilities and making their formidable powers ever ready at his command. In this way, the sage endowed both Rama and Lakshmana with unmatched strength, rendering them an invincible force within the cosmos. Radiating a brilliance greater than any deity, they stood surrounded by the ethereal light of divine power, their auras glowing like the sun.
Rama, with reverent hands clasped, then asked, “What would you have me do now, O Sage? Which ashram requires our protection, and where are these wicked beings that trouble you? Please, guide us.”
Noticing a vast and ancient tree nearby, adorned with a hive exuding soothing beauty, Rama inquired of the sage, “Who performed penance in this sacred and pleasing ashram? It radiates a sense of assurance and charm.”
The sage replied, “O Rama, here in this Siddhashram did Vishnu himself dwell for hundreds of years before his incarnation as Vamana, performing rituals and austerities. The holy fire in this place has burned brilliantly for ages, pleasing both gods and sages. Here, Kasyapa and Aditi beseeched Vishnu to bless them by taking birth as their son. Meanwhile, the gods approached Vishnu, imploring him to check the growing power of Bali, who was preparing a grand yagna. They urged Vishnu to assume the form of Vamana, humble Bali, and imprison him in the nether realms.”
“And so, I have chosen this blessed ashram, which you must protect. The demons you must vanquish are Maricha and Subahu. For six days, Rama, you must guard our rites from these dark forces.”
With that, the sage commenced his sacred rituals, maintaining strict silence as the days passed. On the sixth day, Rama sensed an ominous presence—thundering roars filled the skies as the demons drew near. He turned to Lakshmana and said, “Look! That is the demon Maricha, hurtling towards us with cauldrons of blood and flesh.”
Rama called forth the Manavastra and unleashed it upon Maricha, propelling him far into the ocean currents, hundreds of leagues away. He then summoned the Agneyastra and directed it towards Subahu, striking him through the head and felling him instantly. The sages, now radiant from the success of their ritual, and every god, yaksha, gandharva, and human bore witness to Rama’s valorous triumph, praising his victory over the demons that threatened their peace.
Sage Visvamitra then spoke to Rama, “You have fulfilled your father’s instructions to the fullest. Those who honour their father’s words truly possess the highest virtue.”
The gathered sages urged Rama and Lakshmana to rest in the peaceful serenity of Siddhashram, grateful for the divine protection they had brought.