At the urging of King Daśaratha, the wise Sumantra began to recount, in the presence of the assembled ministers, the story of how the sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga was brought to the kingdom. He recalled how King Romapāda of Aṅga, together with his ministers and priest, had devised a careful and faultless plan to bring the sage to their city. Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, the son of the ascetic Vibhaṇḍaka, lived deep within the forest, wholly devoted to his austerities and study. From birth, he had never encountered women or experienced worldly pleasures; the joys and distractions of ordinary life were utterly unknown to him. The ministers reasoned that, by introducing him to enticing sense-objects—those delights that so easily capture the minds of men—they could swiftly draw him from his hermitage to the city. Thus, they resolved to send beautiful courtesans, adorned in their finest ornaments, to the forest. These women, skilled in persuasion and charm, would honor the sage and gently entice him to leave his secluded life. King Romapāda approved this plan, and his priest and counselors set about its execution. The chief courtesans, having heard their instructions, journeyed into the great forest and, not far from the hermitage, sought an opportunity to meet Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. Ṛṣyaśṛṅga himself was steadfast and content, never straying far from his father’s side or from the hermitage. So sheltered was his life that he had never seen another human being—man or woman—nor any creature from the city or kingdom. The courtesans, adorned in splendid attire and singing sweetly, approached the young sage and addressed him, “Who are you, O Brahmin? What are you doing here, alone in this dreadful and deserted forest? We wish to know your story.” These women, whose forms were utterly new and alluring to him, stirred feelings in his heart he had never known. Resolving to answer them, he spoke: “Our father is Vibhaṇḍaka, and I am his own son. My name and deeds are known in the world as Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. Our hermitage is nearby, O beautiful ones. Please allow me to offer you hospitality, as is our custom.” Hearing his invitation, the women gladly agreed and followed him to the hermitage. There, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga welcomed them with the proper rituals: “Here is water for washing, here is water for your feet, and here are roots and fruits for you.” The women, eager yet wary of the sage’s father, enjoyed his hospitality but soon decided to leave for fear of being discovered. Before departing, they offered him their own delicacies: “O Brahmin, here are our finest fruits—please accept them and eat without delay.” Filled with joy, they embraced him and presented him with sweet cakes and a variety of delightful foods. Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, never having tasted such things before, believed them to be fruits, for he knew nothing of worldly fare. After informing him of their vows and taking their leave, the women departed, still mindful of Vibhaṇḍaka’s presence. Left alone, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, descendant of Kaśyapa, found his heart troubled and restless, wandering in distress about the hermitage. The next day, his mind filled with thoughts of the women, the radiant son of Vibhaṇḍaka returned to the place where he had met them. There, he saw the same charming, beautifully adorned women, who greeted him joyfully as he approached. They said to him, “Gentle one, come to our hermitage. There are many wondrous roots and fruits here, and surely a special destiny awaits you in this place.” Moved by their words, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga resolved to go with them, and the women led him away from his father’s hermitage. As the great-souled sage was being brought to the city, the gods, pleased, caused rain to fall, bringing delight to the parched land. With the coming of the rain, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga arrived in the city. King Romapāda himself came out to receive the sage, bowing low with reverence. He welcomed Ṛṣyaśṛṅga with all the rituals of hospitality, offering water and seeking his favor, careful to ensure that no anger would arise in the sage’s heart. Then, with a tranquil mind and according to custom, the king gave his own daughter, Śāntā, in marriage to Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, and thus attained great joy. Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, honored in every way and united with his wife Śāntā, took up residence in the king’s palace, his every need fulfilled. Thus ends that part of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Sumantra continued, “Once again, O king, listen to my beneficial words, as the wise and foremost deity spoke. In the lineage of Ikṣvāku, there will be a highly righteous king named Daśaratha, renowned for his truthfulness. This king will befriend the king of Aṅga, whose fortunate daughter is Śāntā. The son of King Aṅga is known as Romapāda, and the illustrious Daśaratha will go to him. Daśaratha, being without children, will say, ‘O righteous one, let Śāntā’s husband perform the sacrifice for me, as you have instructed, so that I may have progeny to continue my lineage.’ Hearing these words and reflecting, Romapāda will grant Daśaratha the presence of Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Śāntā’s husband, with composure and goodwill. With the sage’s arrival, Daśaratha, relieved of his anxieties, will joyfully undertake the great sacrifice, his heart filled with hope for the future.