Vishwamitra blessed Rama Beseeching him to do his duty and protect the people by killing the fierce Yakshini Tataka. Rama obeyed the sage and reverberated his bowstring with a thunderous noise. Tataka was enraged and all the forest dwellers ran to shelter in fear of the sound. The Yakshini raised a huge cloud of dust and showered the princes with massive boulders. The battle assumed neither of them giving up, after a long and strenuous fight Rama won. All the devas from heaven above applauded and showered flowers on him. They instructed Bhramharishi Vishwamitra to teach Rama the use and structure of every powerful weapon. The dreadful forest was now tranquil and calm. The princes slept through the night peacefully. The next morning the great sage gave Rama celestial weapons with great power and the knowledge of how to use them. He told the young prince special chants that would strengthen the missiles and him. He was taught to use the instruments of power only for the good of the people. They left the forest that evening heading towards his ashram. Armed with their bows they stood vigilantly for 5 days and 5 nights without sleep guardian the sacred fire. On the 6th day, the fire blazed forth and two Rakshasas appeared from behind them. It was the demon Maricha accompanied by Subahu another rakshasa. Rama brought forth the missile of Manu and sent Maricha flying. He killed Subahu with the Agneyastram. The sacrifice was completed without any trouble. Vishwamitra and the other Rishis blessed and thanked Rama. The next morning Vishwamitra offered to take the Princes to attend a sacrifice performed by the king of Mithila; Janaka Maharaja. Vishwamitra asked them to come with him to see the marvellous bow of shiva that stood in Janaka’s palace. The princes joyously agreed. That evening they reached the banks of the river Sona also known as Magadhi which was in modern-day Kanauj. As they continued on their journey the sage told them great historical and mythical events that took place in each of the places they went. He told them stories of gods, demons and amazing kings who achieved magical feats. At last, they reached Janaka’s kingdom. The king greeted them with folded arms and great respect. He ordered his courtiers and servants to offer them, utmost hospitality. The next day he ordered his ministers to bring forth the great bow of Shiva. 5000 men pulled, Janaka explained “This is the most excellent bow in all of the three worlds no weapon rivals its power Gods, Demons, Yakshas and Nagas have attempted to lift this bow, none have succeeded. How could any mortal or human being lift this bow or bend it.” Vishwamitra ordered Rama to open the iron chest. Rama with ease lifted the bow as if it were a feather notched an arrow and strung the bow with power to break it shattering it in two! Everyone at the court fell to their knees bowing to the son of Kaushalya. Janaka bent in front of Vishwamitra and the prince begging Rama to marry his daughter, Sita.
