Vishwamitra's Request to Dasharath

This rishi who arrived at Dasharath's palace was Vishwamitra. He had just begun a great yajna and was determined to stop the demons Mareech and Subahu from disrupting it. To achieve this, he requested Dasharath to send Ram and Lakshman to assist him. But Dasharath became apprehensive; how could he send his teenage sons to battle powerful demons?

Seeing Dasharath seated in silence, Vashishth recognized the tumult in his mind. He stood up and said, "Dasharath, have no anxiety or fear. Send Ram and Lakshman with Rishi Vishwamitra. The boys are immensely strong and intelligent. The rishis at Vishwamitra's ashram will guide them toward a bright future. No harm will come to them."

Dasharath had great respect for Vashishth and heeded his advice. He called his two sons and entrusted them to Vishwamitra's care. Vishwamitra, Ram, and Lakshman crossed the Ganga and entered the Dandak forest, which grew even denser in the interior, where wild animals roamed freely in great numbers.