King Romapada, together with his ministers and priest, gathered to discuss the plight of his kingdom, which was suffering from a terrible drought. After careful deliberation, Romapada spoke: “We have devised a means that is both safe and without fault.” The plan centered upon the great sage Rishyasringa, who lived deep in the forest, completely devoted to austerity and the study of the Vedas. Rishyasringa was utterly unacquainted with women, worldly pleasures, or any kind of enjoyment. Romapada explained, “By means of delightful and alluring sense-objects, which so easily disturb the minds of men, we shall quickly bring him to the city. Let us resolve to do this.” He instructed that beautiful courtesans, adorned with ornaments, should go into the forest. By employing various means of persuasion, they would bring Rishyasringa to the city, treating him with honor. Hearing this plan, the king’s priest and counselors agreed, and Romapada himself gave his approval. The chief courtesans, adorned and prepared, entered the vast forest. Not far from Rishyasringa’s hermitage, they made every effort to see him. Rishyasringa, the steadfast and radiant son of the sage Vibhandaka, always dwelled in the hermitage, ever content with his father’s company, and never strayed far from home. From his very birth, this ascetic had never seen a woman, nor even a man or any being from the city or kingdom. The women, adorned in varied attire and singing sweetly, approached the young sage and spoke to him with gentle words: “Who are you, O Brahmin? What are you doing here? We wish to know. Why do you wander alone in this dreadful, deserted forest? Please, tell us.” Their forms, so alluring and unlike anything he had ever seen, stirred Rishyasringa’s heart. He resolved to speak to them about his father. “Our father is Vibhandaka, and I am his own son. My name and deeds are known in the world as Rishyasringa. Our hermitage is nearby, O beautiful ones. Please, allow me to offer you hospitality, as is our custom.” Hearing his words, the women resolved to visit the hermitage. They followed him there, where Rishyasringa welcomed them warmly: “Here is water for washing, here is water for your feet, here are roots and fruits for you.” The women, receiving his hospitality, became eager, but, afraid of the sage Vibhandaka, they quickly decided to depart. Before leaving, they said, “O Brahmin, here are our finest fruits as well—please accept them, noble one, and eat without delay.” Joyfully, they embraced him and offered sweet cakes and various delightful foods. Rishyasringa, tasting these for the first time, thought, “These are fruits,” for he had never before encountered such delicacies. After taking leave and informing him of their vows, the women, still fearful of his father, departed as instructed. When all the women had gone, Rishyasringa, the illustrious descendant of Kashyapa, became troubled at heart. Distressed and restless, he wandered about, longing for their company. The following day, Rishyasringa, valiant and splendid in appearance, returned to the place where he had met the women, his mind filled with thoughts of them. There, he saw the charming and beautifully adorned courtesans once more. Seeing him approach, their hearts were filled with joy. They drew near and said, “Gentle one, come to our hermitage.” They promised, “There are many wondrous roots and fruits here, and surely, a special destiny awaits you in this place.” Moved by their words, Rishyasringa agreed to go with them, and the women led him away. As the great-souled sage was being brought into the city, suddenly the gods showered rain upon the land, delighting the world and ending the drought. With the rain, Rishyasringa arrived, and King Romapada himself went out to meet him, bowing his head to the earth in reverence. With proper hospitality, the king offered water and sought the sage’s favor, hoping to avert any anger. Romapada then brought Rishyasringa into the inner chambers of the palace. According to custom, and with a tranquil mind, he gave his daughter Śāntā in marriage to the sage. Thus, the king attained great joy. Rishyasringa, honored in every way, dwelled there with his wife Śāntā, fulfilling every desire. Thus concludes this episode, as related in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Now, O king, listen once again to these beneficial words, as spoken by the wise and foremost deity. 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, who has a highly fortunate daughter named Śāntā. The son of King Aṅga is Romapāda; the illustrious Daśaratha will go to him. Daśaratha, being childless, will say, “O righteous one, let Śāntā’s husband perform the sacrifice for me, as you have instructed, for the sake of progeny and the continuation of my lineage.” Hearing these words and reflecting, Romapada will give Śāntā’s husband, the sage who has a son, with self-possession. Having received the sage, King Daśaratha, relieved of anxiety, will joyfully undertake the sacrifice with all his heart. Desiring fame and with joined palms, he will choose Rishyasringa, the best of Brahmins and knower of righteousness, to perform the great sacrifice. Thus, the story of Rishyasringa’s coming, his marriage to Śāntā, and his role in fulfilling the king’s desire for progeny is told.