In the deep solitude of the forest, two elderly parents grieved for their absent son. Their lives, more fragile than a thunderbolt, clung painfully on, for even though their very existence depended upon him, they did not die quickly from longing. As they spoke many sorrowful words to each other, King Daśaratha slowly approached their dwelling. Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, the blind couple sensed that their beloved son had finally returned. They called out, “Child, why have you come after so long? You are our only support, the very light of our eyes—why do you not speak? Are you angry with us, your blind parents?” But Daśaratha, pierced by grief and tormented by the burden of his own deed, stood silent, fearful of the truth he bore. When at last he spoke, asking for water, the aged couple immediately sensed something was wrong. “This is not our son’s voice—who are you? Speak the truth,” they demanded. Daśaratha replied, “Let us drink water afterward. Your son stands there, where the water is kept.” Their hearts trembling, the afflicted elders pleaded, “Speak the truth, do not deceive us.” Thus pressed, the king revealed everything that had happened. Hearing the dreadful truth, the aged parents fell to the ground and cried, “Lead us to him. Do not touch us—the touch of a Brahmin-slayer is a sin that never perishes.” With great sorrow, King Daśaratha and his wife guided them to the spot where their son Śravaṇa lay lifeless. The parents, embracing their son, wept bitterly. In their grief, they uttered a curse: “Just as death has been ordained for us because of the loss of our son, so too, you will meet death from the loss of your son, as a consequence of your sin.” As they spoke these words, the king’s heart was overwhelmed. He arranged for the cremation of the aged couple and their sage son, performing the last rites with fire. Crushed by sorrow, Daśaratha returned to the city and recounted all that had transpired to the sage Vasiṣṭha. For the kings of the Solar dynasty, Vasiṣṭha was the supreme refuge. The sage, after consulting with the foremost of Brahmins, prescribed expiatory rites. He summoned Gālava, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, and other learned priests, instructing them to perform the great Aśvamedha sacrifice. “Perform many horse sacrifices, each with abundant gifts,” he said. Thus, King Daśaratha, together with the Brahmins, performed the sacred rituals. At that moment, a divine, bodiless voice spoke: “King Daśaratha’s body is now purified. His sons will be fit for royal duties, and by the favor of his eldest son, the king will be freed from sin.” In time, to fulfill the purpose of the gods, sons as radiant as the gods themselves were born to Daśaratha through the great sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s blessing. Thus, Rāma was born to Kauśalyā, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna to Sumitrā, and wise Bharata to Kaikeyī. All these sons were intelligent, dear to the king, and ever obedient to his will. One day, the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra, lord of creatures, approached King Daśaratha, knowing the greatness of his sons. He requested Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, both endowed with supreme intelligence, to protect his sacrifice from harm. The aged king, who had long awaited the joy of sons, hesitated. “In my old age, these two boys were born to me by a great conjunction of fate. They bring me boundless joy. I would rather give you my kingdom and even my own body, but not my two sons.” Vasiṣṭha then addressed Daśaratha, reminding him, “O King, the Raghavas have never been taught to refuse a request.” Thus compelled, Daśaratha spoke to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, his voice trembling and heavy with sighs. He entrusted them to Viśvāmitra, saying, “Let the sons of Viśvāmitra, the brahmarṣi, protect the sacrifice.” Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa respectfully bowed to their father and joyfully accompanied Viśvāmitra, eager to fulfill their duty. The delighted sage, recognizing their potential, bestowed upon them the great knowledge of Maheśvara, foremost in the science of archery. He taught them the use of weapons and missiles, the arts of chariot warfare, and the sciences related to elephants, horses, clubs, and the invocation and dismissal of mantras. With their newfound mastery, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa entered the forest and slew Tāṭakā, bringing safety to the forest-dwellers. By the touch of their feet, they freed Ahalyā from her curse, and they vanquished the rākṣasas who threatened the sacred sacrifice. Bearing bows in hand, they protected the rite until its completion. Afterward, Viśvāmitra, together with the king’s sons, journeyed to see King Janaka. There, among assembled kings, the sage displayed the wondrous bow. Rāma, accompanied by Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), demonstrated his mastery of archery as taught by his guru. Pleased, Janaka gave Sītā, the goddess of fortune, not born from a womb, to Rāma. Likewise, under the guidance of Vasiṣṭha, arrangements were made for the marriages of Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata, and Śatrughna, according to wisdom and custom. Thus, the house of Daśaratha was filled with joy and the blessings of destiny.