O noble one, listen to the tale as it unfolds in the sacred Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Ambarīṣa, the royal sage, had come to the house of the sage Ṛcīka, seeking a son to offer as a sacrificial victim, as was required for the completion of his great rite. Ṛcīka’s wife, mother of those illustrious sons, spoke with unwavering resolve: “O best of men, I would never sell my eldest son.” She repeated to Ambarīṣa, “The venerable Bhārgava has declared that the eldest son cannot be sold.” Yet, she continued, “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, 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 wife had spoken thus, Śunaḥśepa, the middle son, addressed them with clarity and courage: “Father says the eldest cannot be sold, mother says the youngest; I think the middle one can be sold, prince, so take me.” At these words, the mighty-armed king Ambarīṣa spoke to the Brahmin: “With crores of gold, heaps of jewels and gems—” and, delighted, he took Śunaḥśepa in exchange for a hundred thousand cows, O descendant of Raghu. Ambarīṣa, radiant and renowned, quickly mounted Śunaḥśepa onto 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 beheld Viśvāmitra, his maternal uncle, engaged in deep austerities with the sages. Afflicted and weary, his face downcast from thirst and exhaustion, Śunaḥśepa approached Viśvāmitra and fell into his lap, speaking with heartfelt 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 words, the great ascetic Viśvāmitra comforted him in many ways, then addressed his own sons: “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, his eyes reddened with anger, 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 upon his sons, the great 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 taken 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 words of the sage’s son, Ambarīṣa, filled with joy, swiftly went to the sacrificial enclosure. With the approval of the officiating priests, the king, marking the victim with a sacred sign, 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. Then Indra, the thousand-eyed, pleased by the secret hymn of praise, granted long life to Śunaḥśepa. King Ambarīṣa, best of men, completed the sacrifice and obtained abundant fruit by the grace of the thousand-eyed one. Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled and of great austerity, continued his penance at Puṣkara for another hundred years. When those thousand years were complete, all the gods approached the great sage, who had bathed after his vow, wishing to grant the fruit of his austerity. Thus concludes the sacred episode, O descendant of Raghu, in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa.