Visvamitra left the northern quarter of the Himalayas and continued his austerities at the eastern quarter of the mountains. Vowed to silence, immersed in unprecedented practices he disregarded all hindrances. Emaciated and rendered thin as a reed by the intensity of his penance with great forbearance the sage finally gained total mastery over his senses. One day, when he who had observed his vow of a thousand years so rigidly was, about to partake of some cooked rice, Indra in the guise of a Brahmin came asking for food.Visvamitra silently, offered him all that there was, never uttering a word and continued with the next phase of his penance, by suspending his breath for another thousand years until smoke started emanating from his head! So fierce was it that all the worlds felt as if they were on fire! The celestials with their fellow beings, the yakshas, gandharvas and the others bewildered by the might of the ascetic. Feeling faint in the heat of Visvamitra's effulgence they rushed to Brahma in anguish and pleaded. "Though disturbed by us many a time no power, or ploy has succeeded in distracting this most noble sage.His austerities are growing and he is sinless. If his desire is not granted the three worlds will soon be consigned to ruin, for he will destroy them in his fury. There is turmoil in every direction, everything has lost its glow. The worlds look faint, the seas are tumultuous, the winds are tempestuous, the mountains shiver and the earth shudders. Even the sun pales before the dazzling brilliance of the venerable ascetic.Like the fire at the time of dissolution Visvamitra will consume the world.Grant him his wish, even if it be to rule the kingdom of the gods". The devatas and Brahma then went to Visvamitra to tell told him that he had attained the status of Brahmarshi through his unsurpassed penance.

The illustrious Kausika accepting the honor said "Since longevity and brahmin-hood have been conferred upon me, may I become the storehouse of the syllables, 'aum' and Vashatkara' May the Vedas abide in me. Also, may the son of Brahma, Vasishta acknowledge me as Brahmarshi!Propitiated by the gods and the devatas, Vasishta gracefully and affectionately agreed,"Verily are you a Brahmarshi and you shall achieve ascetic perfection"!Visvamitra, his long cherished desire having come true, paid homage to Vasishta with joy. Thereafter the Brahmarshi wandered the entire world, an incarnation of austerities and an ultimate resort of power.

Janaka having heard this narration from Satananda bowed down in reverence to Kausika and said, " I am fortunate that you and Rama grace my yagna, by whose presence I am blessed and sanctified.Your austerities are renowned and all those assembled here are aware of them". Janaka and his preceptors circumambulated Visvamitra and returned to the palace whileVisvamitra, Rama and Lakshmana retired to their abode.