Having stayed overnight at Viśālā as an honoured guest of Sumati,Śrī Rāma, accompanied by Viśwāmitra and the other sages, heads towards Mithilā (the capital of King Janaka) and, on reaching on the way a deserted hermitage and, inquiring about it, is told by Viśwāmitra how Ahalyā, wife of Sage...

Viśwāmitra tells Śrī Rāma how on the very site of the grove where Diti practised her austerities, Vi‹åla, a son of Ikswāku, built the city of Viśālā. Sumati, the contemporary ruler of Viśālā, receives Viśwāmitra and his party as his distinguished guests.