Having shown honor and respect to the assembled Brahmins, the righteous King Daśaratha spoke to them with gentle words, filled with dharma and clear purpose. He said, “Therefore, I desire to perform the sacrifice as prescribed in the scriptures. How may I fulfill my wish? Let your minds consider this.” The Brahmins, led by the venerable Vasiṣṭha, were delighted by the king’s resolve and praised his words, saying, “Well spoken!” Overjoyed, they advised Daśaratha, “Let the necessary materials be gathered and the consecrated horse released. Prepare the sacrificial ground on the northern bank of the Sarayū. O King, you shall surely obtain sons as you desire, for this righteous resolve has arisen in you for the sake of a son.” Hearing these auspicious words, Daśaratha’s heart was filled with joy. His eyes shone with excitement as he turned to his ministers and instructed them, “Let all preparations for the ritual be made here, following the guidance of the elders. Release the consecrated horse with its preceptor under proper supervision, and prepare the sacrificial ground on the northern bank of the Sarayū. Let the pacifying rites be performed as tradition prescribes, for this sacrifice can be accomplished by any capable king. There must be no error in this most excellent sacrifice, as the learned Brahmarākṣasas always look for flaws. If a sacrifice is performed incorrectly, the performer is immediately ruined. Therefore, let my sacrifice be completed strictly according to the rules. Let those who are capable make the arrangements.” The ministers, honoring the king’s command, replied, “So be it.” The twice-born Brahmins, learned in righteousness, encouraged the noble king. Having received his permission, they departed as they had come. After dismissing the Brahmins, Daśaratha addressed his ministers again: “Let the sacrifice be conducted exactly as the officiating priests instruct.” Then, having dismissed them, the wise king entered his palace and approached his beloved wives—who held him dear to their hearts. He said to them, “Undertake the vow of consecration; I shall perform this sacrifice for the sake of a son.” Hearing his pleasing words, the radiant faces of his queens shone like lotuses blooming at winter’s end. Now, listen to the next part of this sacred tale from the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. In private, the charioteer Sumantra spoke to the king: “Let me tell you what I have heard from ancient tales. This account, as instructed by the officiating priests, was once told by the venerable Sanatkumāra. In the presence of the sages, O King, it was foretold regarding the coming of your son. There is a son of Kāśyapa named Vibhāṇḍaka, whose own son will be known as Ṛśyaśṛṅga. This best of Brahmins will grow up in the forest, always living as a sage among the woods, knowing no one else but his father, and observing a twofold discipline of celibacy. This is well known among the people and always told by the Brahmins. “As Ṛśyaśṛṅga lived thus, the destined time arrived. While he was serving the sacred fire and his illustrious father, the powerful Romapada became renowned—a mighty king among the people of Anga. Yet, due to a transgression by that king, a terrible calamity befell his land. “Romapada summoned learned Brahmins and addressed them: ‘You are versed in sacred rites and know the customs of the world. Instruct me in the proper discipline and expiation that should be performed.’ Thus addressed, the eminent Brahmins replied, ‘O ruler, by every means bring here the son of Vibhāṇḍaka.’ “Having brought Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the son of Vibhāṇḍaka and a Brahmin accomplished in the Vedas, O King, give him your daughter Śāntā in marriage with proper rites and full attention. Hearing their words, Romapada became anxious, wondering how that powerful sage could be brought. After careful deliberation with his ministers, the wise king sent his priests and counselors, treating them with respect. But those men, troubled and with bowed heads, hesitated to go, fearing the sage, and tried to persuade the king otherwise. “In time, after consideration, they said to the king, ‘We will bring the sage here, and there will be no fault in this.’ Thus, by the king of Anga, Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the sage’s son, was brought by courtesans; then rain fell, and Śāntā was given to him in marriage. Ṛśyaśṛṅga became your son-in-law and will grant you sons. This much, as told by Sanatkumāra, I have related.” Hearing this, Daśaratha was delighted and spoke to Sumantra, “Tell me by what means Ṛśyaśṛṅga was brought here.” Now, listen to the next chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Thus prompted by the king, Sumantra spoke: “Hear from me, together with the ministers, exactly how Ṛśyaśṛṅga was brought here. Romapada, together with his ministers and priest, said, ‘We have devised a means that is safe and without fault.