O King Ambarīṣa, the animal meant for your sacrificial rite has gone missing, and your oversight has led to this loss. Faults such as these can bring ruin upon a king who fails to protect what is entrusted to him. This is a grave error, and to make amends, you must swiftly bring forth another animal before the ritual proceeds any further. Upon hearing these words from his revered preceptor, the wise and illustrious king began a determined search among thousands of cows. He scoured every region, town, forest, and sacred hermitage, seeking the required sacrificial animal. Accompanied by his son and wife, Ambarīṣa, the descendant of Raghu, eventually came upon the sage Ṛcīka, who was seated upon the Bhṛgu mountain. The king, radiant and renowned, bowed respectfully before the great sage, whose ascetic power shone brilliantly, and sought his favor. After inquiring about Ṛcīka’s welfare, Ambarīṣa spoke, “If you are willing, sell your son for a hundred thousand cows.” He explained, “O illustrious Bhārgava, I have searched every region for a suitable animal for the sacrifice, but have found none. For the sake of fulfilling my duty, I ask you to give me one son for the price.” Ṛcīka replied, “O best of men, I would never sell my eldest son.” Hearing this, the mother of those noble children spoke to Ambarīṣa, “The venerable Bhārgava has said the eldest cannot be sold. Know, O lord, that my youngest, Śunaka, is also dear to me; therefore, I will not give you the youngest son, O king. For generally, the eldest is beloved to fathers, and the youngest to mothers; thus I will protect the youngest.” After both sage and wife had spoken, Śunaḥśepa, the middle son, addressed them: “Father says the eldest cannot be sold, mother says the youngest; I think the middle one can be sold, prince, so take me.” At this, the mighty king spoke to the Brahmin, offering crores of gold, heaps of jewels, and gems. Delighted, the king took Śunaḥśepa in exchange for a hundred thousand cows and departed. The royal sage Ambarīṣa, resplendent and famed, quickly placed Śunaḥśepa in his chariot and set out at once. Having taken Śunaḥśepa, the illustrious king, best among men, rested at Puṣkara at midday. As he rested, Śunaḥśepa, renowned and illustrious, arrived at the sacred Puṣkara and saw his maternal uncle, Viśvāmitra, engaged in austerities with the sages. Weary and afflicted, his face downcast from thirst and exhaustion, Śunaḥśepa approached Viśvāmitra. He fell into the sage’s lap and spoke with sorrow, “I have no mother, no father, nor any relatives or kin. O gentle one, foremost of sages, you ought to protect me by righteousness. For you, best of men, are the refuge and creator of all. Let the king accomplish his purpose, let me have long and unending life. Having performed supreme austerity, may I attain the heavenly world. Be my protector, for I am without protector, with a benevolent heart. Like a father to his son, O righteous one, you ought to save me from sin.” Hearing these heartfelt words, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra comforted Śunaḥśepa in many ways, then called his own sons. He said, “For the sake of whom fathers desire sons, wishing for good, for the benefit of the next world—now is that time come. This boy, son of a sage, seeks refuge with me. My sons, do what is pleasing by giving him your very life. All of you, who have performed virtuous deeds and are devoted to righteousness, become the sacrificial victim for the king and satisfy the fire. Śunaḥśepa will have a protector, the sacrifice will proceed without hindrance, the gods will be gratified, and my word will be fulfilled.” Hearing their father’s words, his sons, beginning with Madhucchandā, replied with pride and tears, “How can you abandon your own sons and save another’s child, O lord? We see this as improper, like eating the flesh of a dog.” Viśvāmitra’s eyes reddened with anger at their response. He said, “Your words are fearless, yet condemned by righteousness; you have disregarded my command, and your speech is harsh and hair-raising. All of you, like the descendants of Vasiṣṭha, will eat dog meat by birth; for a full thousand years you shall remain on earth.” Having pronounced this curse upon his sons, the sage turned to the distressed Śunaḥśepa, ensuring his protection and well-being. He instructed, “Bound with sacred cords, adorned with red garlands and unguents, approach the Viṣṇu-post and, with words, invoke the fire. And, O young sage, you should sing these two divine verses at the sacrifice of Ambarīṣa; then you will attain success.” Śunaḥśepa, having carefully learned the two sacred verses, quickly addressed Ambarīṣa, the lion among kings, ready to fulfill his role in the sacrifice.