Hearing the wise counsel of his priest, the king gave his consent, saying, “So be it.” The priest and the royal counselors promptly acted upon the king’s command. In accordance with their plan, the chief courtesans set forth into the great forest, and, not far from the hermitage, sought to meet the one they were sent to find. Within that tranquil forest abode dwelled the steadfast son of the sage Vibhandaka. He was ever content in his father’s presence and rarely strayed from the hermitage. From birth, this ascetic youth had never laid eyes upon a woman, a man, or any being from the city or kingdom—his world was the pure solitude of the forest. Soon, the courtesans, adorned in splendid garments and singing sweetly, drew near to the hermitage. Approaching the sage’s son, they addressed him with gentle words: “Who are you, O Brahmin? What brings you here? We wish to know. Why do you wander alone in this dreadful and deserted forest? Please, tell us.” The young ascetic, whose heart had never before been stirred by such forms—so alluring and unfamiliar—felt a new restlessness awaken within him. Desiring to respond, he spoke to them of his lineage: “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. Allow me to offer you proper hospitality, as is our custom.” Hearing his words, the women resolved to visit the hermitage. Together they entered, and Rishyasringa welcomed them warmly: “Here is water for washing, here is water for your feet, and here are roots and fruits for you.” The women received his hospitality with delight, but, mindful and fearful of the sage Vibhandaka’s return, they soon decided to leave. Before departing, they offered him their finest fruits, saying, “O Brahmin, please accept these noble gifts and eat without delay.” With joy, they embraced him and gave him sweet cakes and delightful foods of many kinds. Tasting these, Rishyasringa, unacquainted with such flavors, thought, “These are fruits,” for he had only ever known the simple fare of the forest. After informing him of their vows, the women, still wary of the sage’s father, took their leave as instructed. When they had gone, the young sage, descendant of Kashyapa, felt his heart troubled and wandered the forest in distress. The following day, still reflecting on all that had happened, Rishyasringa, radiant and resolute, returned to the place where he had first met the women. There, he found them once more—charming and beautifully adorned. Seeing him approach, their hearts filled with joy, and they welcomed him warmly: “Gentle one, come to our hermitage,” they invited. “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, and the women led him away from his father’s hermitage. As the great-souled sage was being brought to their abode, the gods themselves showered the earth with rain, bringing joy to all the world. With the coming of the rain, Rishyasringa arrived at the city. The king, overjoyed, went out to greet the sage, bowing to the ground in reverence. He offered Rishyasringa water for hospitality, honoring him with every courtesy and seeking his favor, wishing to avoid any displeasure. With proper rites, the king brought the sage into the inner chambers and, with a tranquil mind, gave his daughter Śāntā to Rishyasringa in marriage. The king’s heart was filled with joy at this union. Thus, the great and radiant Rishyasringa dwelled there, honored and content, together with his wife Śāntā. Now, in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa, the next section unfolds. Once more, the sage urges the king to listen to his beneficial words, as spoken by the wise and foremost deity. “In the noble lineage of Ikṣvāku,” he said, “there will be a highly righteous king named Daśaratha, renowned for his truthfulness. This king will befriend the king of Aṅga, who has a most fortunate daughter named Śāntā. The son of King Aṅga is Romapāda, and the illustrious Daśaratha will visit him. Romapāda will say, ‘I am childless, O righteous one. Let Śāntā’s husband perform the sacrifice for me, as you have instructed, for the sake of progeny and to continue the lineage.’ Hearing these words and reflecting, Daśaratha will give Śāntā’s husband, who has a son, with self-possession. Having received the sage, the king, relieved of anxiety, will joyfully undertake the sacrifice with all his heart. Desiring fame, King Daśaratha, with joined palms, will choose Rishyasringa—the best of Brahmins and knower of righteousness. For the sake of sacrifice, progeny, and heaven, the king will obtain his desired goal from this foremost Brahmin. And to him will be born four sons of immeasurable valor, who will establish the lineage and be renowned among all beings. Therefore, O great king, go yourself with proper honor, accompanied by your army and vehicles.” Hearing these words from Sumantra, King Daśaratha was filled with delight. He took counsel with the sage Vasiṣṭha and listened carefully to his charioteer’s advice, preparing his heart for what was to come.