After finishing his studies at the Gurukul, Shri Rama, returned to Ayodhya. His father and the three mothers were overjoyed to have the boys back at home.

Sage Vishwamitra came to the court of Dashratha and narrated how Rakshasas (demonic forces) were creating havoc at his Yagna (fire-sacrifice). He asked him to send Rama and Lakshmana to protect his ashram. King Dashratha however said that the boys are too young and offered to go himself with Sage Vishwamitra. But the sage was adamant and insisted that he wanted Rama to go with him. On being persuaded by Vashishtha, Dashratha let the princes go.

On the way demoness Tadaka attacked them but Shri Rama killed her with one well-aimed arrow. Sage Vishwamitra gifted Rama and Lakshmana with weapons that were blessed and never missed their mark.

At the site of the Yagna at the ashram, Shri Rama told the sage to begin the ritual while they stood guard. Just then, the demons Subahu and Mareech attacked to disturb the ritual. They laughed raucously and threw impure substances into the holy fire. Shri Rama aimed a featherless arrow at Mareech and he fell a hundred yojanas away in the southern seashore. Lakshman stood alert to protect the place. Rama also killed Subahu who tried to attack them. Thus the havoc caused by the demons in the area of Siddhakshetra came to an end. Sage Vishwamitra was able to perform his Yagna without any disturbance.

Just then King Janaka invited Vishwamitra Rishi to Mithila. A Swayamvar (marriage ceremony) was arranged for Sita with a dhanushyagna, a bow sacrifice. Sage Vishwamitra took Rama and Lakshmana along with him to attend this auspicious event.

On the way they waited by the banks of Ganga and spent the night besides the holy river. Vishwamitra told them the story of Ganga’s descent from the heavens and the great achievement of their ancestor Bhagiratha who brought it to earth with his intense penance. Rama and Lakshman were thrilled to hear the tale.

Next day, on the way, they came across the ashram of Sage Gautama. It was deserted and there was only the petrified form of Ahilya, the wife of Sage Gautama. Sage Vishwamitra narrated the story of Gautama and Ahilya and asked Rama to touch the stone figure with his feet.

As soon as Rama’s foot touched it, the stone form of Ahilya came alive and signing praises of Rama’s greatness, Ahilya disappeared to join her husband in another world.