In a kingdom where peace reigned supreme, there existed no wicked souls nor any who coveted another's spouse. The chief city flourished, adorned by its inhabitants who wore clean garments and were well-dressed, each one devoted to the welfare of their king. They were men of virtue, renowned for their valor, their names echoing even in distant lands, and they were steadfast in their understanding of righteousness. Among these noble subjects was King Daśaratha, a faultless monarch surrounded by ministers who mirrored his qualities. He ruled the earth with a firm yet benevolent hand, ever vigilant in his duty to protect his people, ensuring that unrighteousness found no place in his realm. His reputation spread across the three worlds; he was generous in speech, steadfast in truth, and like a tiger among men, he commanded respect and loyalty from allies and vassals alike. With the strength of a lion, he crushed any threats to his kingdom, ruling with the authority akin to that of the gods in heaven. Surrounded by capable and devoted ministers, King Daśaratha shone brightly, much like the sun rising in the morning sky. Yet, despite his power and righteousness, a deep longing stirred within him; he yearned for a son to continue his lineage. As he pondered this desire, a thought arose in his great heart: “Why should I not perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice to fulfill my wish for a son?” With resolve, the wise king called upon Sumantra, his most trusted counselor, urging him to gather the elders and priests. Swiftly, Sumantra obeyed, summoning the learned Brāhmaṇas, including the eminent Vasiṣṭha, along with others well-versed in the sacred Vedas. Upon their arrival, King Daśaratha honored them and spoke with gentle intent, expressing his desire to perform the sacrifice as prescribed in the scriptures, seeking their guidance on how to attain his wish for offspring. The Brāhmaṇas, led by Vasiṣṭha, listened intently and responded with approval, declaring, “Well spoken!” They instructed the king to gather the necessary materials and release the sacrificial horse, suggesting that the ground for the ritual be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayū River. Filled with joy at their words, the king turned to his ministers, instructing them to make all necessary preparations for the grand ritual, ensuring that every detail adhered to tradition and scripture. “Let the consecrated horse be released under proper supervision,” he commanded, “and let the pacifying rites be performed as prescribed. This sacrifice must be flawless, for the learned Brahmarakshasas are always on the lookout for any error. If performed incorrectly, the consequences could be dire.” His ministers, honored and capable, responded affirmatively, assuring him that all would be arranged as he desired. With the priests' permission, the Brāhmaṇas departed, and the wise king returned to his palace. There, he approached his beloved wives, who cherished him dearly, and declared, “Prepare yourselves for the vow of consecration; I shall perform the sacrifice for the sake of a son.” His words filled the air with promise, and the radiant faces of his queens shone brightly, like lotuses blooming at the end of winter. In the following days, as preparations for the sacrifice unfolded, a charioteer, having overheard the king's intentions, approached him with a tale from ancient times, one he had heard from the venerable Sanatkumāra. “O King,” he began, “in the presence of the sages, it was foretold that a son of Kāśyapa named Vibhāṇḍaka would be born. His son, Ṛśyaśṛṅga, destined to grow up in the forest as a sage, would follow in his father’s footsteps, embracing a life of celibacy and devotion.” Thus, the stage was set for the sacred ritual that would fulfill King Daśaratha’s deepest desire, intertwining the threads of destiny with the promise of a new life.