King Ambarīṣa, driven by his duty to perform a great sacrifice, searched far and wide—through cities, forests, and sacred hermitages—in pursuit of a suitable sacrificial animal. Accompanied by his son and wife, the illustrious descendant of Raghu eventually arrived at the Bhṛgu mountain, where he saw the sage Ṛcīka seated, radiant with ascetic power. With reverence, the king bowed before Ṛcīka, winning his favor, and then spoke to him. After inquiring about the sage’s well-being, Ambarīṣa made a bold request: “If you are willing, sell me your son for a hundred thousand cows.” He explained that, despite searching all regions, he could not find a proper animal for the sacrifice, and thus asked Ṛcīka to give him one son for a price. Ṛcīka replied, “O best of men, I would never sell my eldest son.” Hearing this, the mother of those noble sons spoke to Ambarīṣa, saying, “The venerable Bhārgava has said the eldest son 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.” She explained, “Generally, the eldest is beloved to fathers, and the youngest to mothers; thus I will protect the youngest.” After both parents 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, take me.” The king, delighted by this solution, offered crores of gold, heaps of jewels and gems, and exchanged Śunaḥśepa for a hundred thousand cows. He quickly mounted Śunaḥśepa onto his chariot and departed, his heart full of hope. Arriving at midday at the sacred site of Puṣkara, Ambarīṣa rested, while Śunaḥśepa, weary and afflicted by thirst and exhaustion, sought out his maternal uncle, the great sage Viśvāmitra, who was engaged in austerities among the sages. Falling into Viśvāmitra’s lap, Śunaḥśepa pleaded, “I have no mother, no father, nor any relatives or kin. O gentle one, foremost of sages, you ought to protect me by righteousness. You 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 words, 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.” Viśvāmitra’s 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, angered by their refusal, his eyes reddened, declared, “This has been spoken without fear, yet it is condemned even by righteousness; having disregarded my words, it 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, Viśvāmitra 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 carefully received the two sacred verses and quickly addressed King Ambarīṣa: “O lion among kings, great in wisdom, let us go quickly; O king of kings, end your vow and proclaim the completion of the rite.” Filled with joy, Ambarīṣa went swiftly to the sacrificial enclosure. With the approval of the officiating priests, the king marked Śunaḥśepa with a sacred sign, bound him to the post, and clothed him in red garments, thus preparing for the fulfillment of the sacrifice.