In days long past, King Ambarīṣa, overwhelmed with the need to fulfill a sacred vow, approached the sage Ṛcīka and requested that one of his sons be given to him, offering a great price in exchange. Ṛcīka, mighty in wisdom, replied firmly: “O best of men, I would never sell my eldest son.” Hearing this, the mother of those noble children spoke to Ambarīṣa, “Venerable Bhārgava says the eldest cannot be given. Know, O lord, that my youngest, Śunaka, is also dear to me; therefore, I will not give you the youngest, O king. For generally, O best of men, the eldest is beloved to fathers, and the youngest to mothers; thus I will protect the youngest.” When both sage and his wife had spoken their hearts, the middle son, Śunaḥśepa, addressed them himself: “Father says the eldest cannot be sold, mother says the youngest; I think the middle one can be given, prince, so take me.” Hearing these words, the king, mighty of arms, joyfully agreed. He offered crores of gold, heaps of jewels and gems, and in exchange for a hundred thousand cows, took Śunaḥśepa with delight. Ambarīṣa, radiant in splendor and fame, quickly mounted Śunaḥśepa onto his chariot and departed at once. Arriving at Puṣkara, the illustrious king rested at midday. There, Śunaḥśepa, renowned and weary, approached the sacred Puṣkara and saw his maternal uncle, the great sage Viśvāmitra, engaged in deep austerities with other sages. Exhausted and afflicted, his face downcast from thirst and fatigue, Śunaḥśepa fell into Viśvāmitra’s lap and spoke: “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, Viśvāmitra comforted Śunaḥśepa in many ways and then called his sons. He said to them: “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.” But 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, angered by their words, his eyes reddening, spoke: “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, Viśvāmitra turned to the distressed Śunaḥśepa, assuring him of 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 taking those two verses, quickly addressed 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.” Hearing the sage’s son, the king, filled with joy, swiftly went to the sacrificial enclosure. With the approval of the officiating priests, Ambarīṣa marked Śunaḥśepa with a sacred sign and bound him to the post, clothed in red garments. Thus bound, Śunaḥśepa praised Indra and Indra’s younger brother with excellent words, as was proper. Pleased by the secret hymn of praise, Indra, the thousand-eyed, granted long life to Śunaḥśepa. King Ambarīṣa completed the sacrifice and obtained abundant fruit by the grace of Indra. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled and of great austerity, remained at Puṣkara, performing further penance for another hundred years. Thus concludes this sacred episode from the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa.