When the couple beheld the terrifying, demonic form before them, terror seized their hearts and they fled in fear. But the dreadful being pursued them and caught hold of the brāhmaṇa. The brāhmaṇa’s wife, overcome with anguish, pleaded again and again for mercy. She cried out, “Have compassion, O jewel of the Ikṣvāku line, great king Mitrasaha—not a demon! You, who understand a woman’s happiness and duty, should not slay my husband, especially when I remain unfulfilled.” She lamented in many ways, but the king, fierce as a tiger, devoured the brāhmaṇa as a wild beast consumes its prey in the forest. Filled with burning anger at this terrible act, the brāhmaṇa’s wife pronounced a curse upon the king. “Because you have devoured my husband while I was unfulfilled, you too shall be overcome by desire for sensual enjoyment.” Having uttered her curse, she entered the fire. Twelve years passed, and when the curse was lifted, Madayantī, the queen, reminded the king, who now longed for union with women. After this, he renounced all intercourse with women. Wishing for a son, the childless king entreated the sage Vasiṣṭha, who then performed the rite of conception with Madayantī. For seven years, the child remained in the queen’s womb. At last, weary, she struck her womb with a stone, and a son was born. He was named Ashmaka, for “ashma” means stone. Ashmaka’s son was Mulaka. When the Kṣatriya line was being destroyed on earth, Mulaka survived, protected by the women of his family, who encircled him unclothed so that none would harm him; thus, he became known as “protected by a shield of women.” From Mulaka descended Dasharatha, and from him, Ilivila, and then Vishvasaha. Vishvasaha’s son was Khatvanga, a mighty warrior. In the great battle between the gods and demons, the gods requested Khatvanga’s aid, and he slew the demons. Pleased with his valor, the gods invited him to choose a boon. Khatvanga replied, “If I must accept a boon, let my lifespan be declared to me.” The gods told him, “Only one moment of life remains for you.” With calm resolve and lightness, Khatvanga returned to the world of mortals in his celestial chariot and declared: “Never have even I myself been dearer to me than the Brahmins. I have never strayed from my duty, nor have I ever seen any distinction among gods, humans, animals, birds, trees, or others, as is the case with the unchanging Lord. Thus, remembering that blessed Lord as the sages do, I shall attain Him.” Meditating upon the Supreme Soul, the Guru of the gods, whose form is beyond description, pure existence, in the one called Vāsudeva, Khatvanga merged his self into the Supreme Self and attained dissolution there. Of him, the ancient Seven Sages sang: “No one equal to Khatvanga will ever exist on earth.” Coming from heaven and granted but a moment of life, by wisdom and truth, Khatvanga united the three worlds. From Khatvanga came Dīrghabāhu, from Dīrghabāhu was born Raghu, and from Raghu came Aja. Aja’s son was Dasharatha. To Dasharatha, the blessed Lord, the lotus-naveled one, for the sake of preserving the world, manifested Himself in four parts as sons—Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna—each a portion of His own Self. Even as a boy, Rama, at the request of Viśvāmitra, went to protect the sage’s sacrifice and slew the fierce demoness Tāṭakā. During the sacrifice, he struck the demon Mārīca with an arrow and cast him into the ocean, and destroyed Subāhu and the other demons as well. By his mere sight, he freed Ahalyā from her sin. At the house of King Janaka, Rama effortlessly broke the mighty bow of Śiva, winning Sītā, the daughter of the earth and Janaka, as his bride. He humbled Paraśurāma, the terror of all kṣatriyas and the blazing banner of the Bhārgava line, removing his pride in strength and power. Obeying his father’s command, Rama renounced all desire for the kingdom and entered the forest, accompanied by his devoted wife Sītā and loyal brother Lakshmana. In the forest, Rama slew many fearsome foes: Virādha, Khara, Dūṣaṇa, Kabandha, and Vāli. He bridged the ocean to reach Lanka, destroyed the entire race of Rākṣasas, and, after slaying their king Rāvaṇa, rescued his wife Sītā. She, purified by the ordeal of fire, praised by the hosts of gods, and spotless in virtue, returned with him to Ayodhyā. O Maitreya, the auspicious ceremony of Rama’s coronation is so magnificent that even a hundred years would not suffice to describe it fully. Hear it briefly: Surrounded by Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata, Śatrughna, Vibhīṣaṇa, Sugrīva, Aṅgada, Jāmbavat, Hanumān, and others, all radiant with joy, Rama was served with white parasols and fans. All the gods—Brahmā, Indra, Yama, Nirṛti, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Kubera, Īśāna, and more—honored him, as did the sages Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Vālmīki, Mārkaṇḍeya, Viśvāmitra, Bharadvāja, Agastya, and many others. The reciters of the Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva Vedas sang his praises, and the music of veena, flute, drums, conch, and many instruments filled the air. Amidst all the kings, for the protection of the worlds, Rama, the delight of the Raghu line, beloved of Sītā and his three brothers, ascended the throne and ruled the kingdom of Kosala for eleven thousand years.