The Teacher He Chose for Rāma

When Rāma was still young, Viśvāmitra was at Daśaratha's court and found Rāma sunk in sadness after a pilgrimage, taking no pleasure in anything, seeing through everything the world could offer. The sages of heaven came down to hear Rāma speak of it, and when he had spoken Viśvāmitra said to him, Rāma, there is nothing more for you to know. You have come to know it all by your own subtle understanding. Only a little wiping of the mirror of your mind is needed.

Then Viśvāmitra said to the sages: Let the blessed Vasiṣṭha, who is here, give him the reasoning that will bring his mind to rest. He has always been the lord and the family teacher of all the Raghus; he knows all things and sees the three times clearly. And he turned to his old rival and said, Vasiṣṭha, do you remember the knowledge that Brahmā taught long ago on Mount Niṣadha, for the ending of the enmity between the two of us and for the good of the sages? Teach that knowledge quickly to Rāma, your pupil, so that he may come to rest. It will be no labour, for his mind is clean, and a face is seen in a clear mirror without any effort.

The sages cried, Well said, well said. And Vasiṣṭha, sitting beside the king like a second Brahmā, said, Sage, I will do what you ask of me. Who can go against the word of the good? I will take away the darkness of the princes' minds with knowledge, as a lamp takes away the darkness of the night. I remember, whole and unbroken, the knowledge Brahmā gave on Mount Niṣadha for the ending of delusion. And he began to teach Rāma.