In a time of great anticipation, King Dasharatha, revered among rulers, gathered his ministers after bidding farewell to the Brahmins who had come to guide him in sacred rites. With a heart full of hope, he instructed his ministers to ensure that the upcoming sacrifice was performed precisely as the officiating priests had ordained. Following this important matter, the wise king returned to his palace, where he sought the company of his beloved wives. With affection in his voice, he encouraged them to undertake a vow of consecration, revealing his deep desire to perform the sacrifice in hopes of begetting a son. His words, imbued with love, illuminated their faces like blooming lotuses at the end of winter. As the story unfolds, the charioteer, having overheard the king's thoughts, approached him with tales of the past. He recounted an ancient narrative shared by the venerable Sanatkumāra, speaking of a son of Kāśyapa named Vibhāṇḍaka. This sage, who lived a life of asceticism in the forest, would have a son known as Ṛśyaśṛṅga, destined to grow up in solitude, devoted to his father, and committed to a life of celibacy. The charioteer shared how, during this time, the powerful king Romapada would rise to prominence, only to face a dire calamity due to his own transgressions. In his moment of need, King Romapada would summon the learned Brahmins, seeking their guidance on the proper rites and expiations. The Brahmins, versed in sacred knowledge, would advise him to bring Rishyasringa, the son of Vibhāṇḍaka, to his kingdom with honor and to marry him to his daughter, Shanta. Hearing this, the king grew anxious, pondering how to summon such a powerful sage. After much deliberation with his ministers, he resolved to send forth his priests and counselors, treating them with respect. Yet, upon receiving the king's command, the ministers hesitated, troubled by the thought of approaching the formidable sage. They expressed their concerns, but ultimately agreed to the task, believing they could successfully bring Rishyasringa to the king. Thus, courtesans were dispatched by the king of Anga, and through their charm and allure, they successfully brought the sage’s son to the kingdom. With the arrival of rain, a sign of auspiciousness, Shanta was united with Rishyasringa, and he became the king's son-in-law, promising to bless the kingdom with sons. Delighted by this turn of events, Dasharatha turned to his minister Sumantra, eager to learn the details of how Rishyasringa had been brought to them. In response, Sumantra recounted the plan devised by King Romapada and his ministers. They had resolved to entice Rishyasringa, who lived a life of austerity in the forest, completely unacquainted with worldly pleasures and the company of women. The plan was to send beautiful courtesans, adorned with ornaments and skilled in the art of persuasion, to lure him into the city. The courtesans ventured into the great forest, where they approached the sage’s son, who was content in his hermitage and had never encountered the outside world. As they drew near, they sang sweet melodies, capturing his attention. Curious about these enchanting women who appeared in the depths of the forest, Rishyasringa inquired about their purpose. They asked him who he was and what he was doing alone in such a desolate place. Moved by their beauty and intrigued by their presence, Rishyasringa introduced himself, revealing his lineage as the son of Vibhandaka. He invited the courtesans to his hermitage, offering them hospitality in accordance with tradition. Their allure was irresistible, and the women, enchanted by the sage’s son, decided to accompany him to his home, thus setting the stage for a fateful union that would fulfill the king’s longing for a son.