Once again, O king, let me recount the auspicious tale as spoken by the wise and foremost among the gods, for your benefit. In the illustrious lineage of Ikṣvāku, there will arise a highly righteous king named Daśaratha, renowned throughout the land for his truthfulness and virtue. King Daśaratha will befriend the king of Aṅga, who has a most fortunate daughter named Śāntā. The son of King Aṅga is Romapāda, and it is to this noble king that Daśaratha will journey. With a heavy heart, Daśaratha will confess, “I am childless, O righteous one. As you have advised, let Śāntā’s husband perform the sacrifice for me, so that my lineage may continue.” Romapāda, hearing these words and reflecting deeply, will agree and send Śāntā’s husband, a sage of self-possession and wisdom, to Daśaratha. Relieved of his anxieties, Daśaratha will joyfully welcome the sage, his heart full of hope for the sacrifice. Seeking renown and fulfillment, Daśaratha, with joined palms, will choose Rishyasringa, the best among Brahmins and a knower of righteousness, to perform the sacred rites. For the sake of sacrifice, progeny, and heaven, Daśaratha will attain his desired goal through this foremost Brahmin. From this sacred act, four sons of immeasurable valor will be born to him, establishing his lineage and earning renown among all beings. Therefore, O mighty king, it is advised that you personally go with proper honor, accompanied by your army and vehicles, to invite the sage. Hearing these words from Sumantra, Daśaratha will be delighted. After consulting with Vasiṣṭha and listening to his charioteer’s counsel, he will set out with his inner court and ministers, traveling slowly through forests and across rivers. He will arrive at the abode of the eminent sage, drawing near to the best of Brahmins, who is close to Romapāda. Daśaratha will behold the sage’s son, glowing like fire, and will perform the appropriate honors for him. Because of their friendship, Romapāda, with great inner joy, will explain everything to the wise sage’s son. Romapāda will honor Daśaratha with bonds of friendship and kinship. Thus, well received, Daśaratha will stay there as the best among men. After seven or eight days, Daśaratha will speak to Romapāda, “O lord of men, your daughter Śāntā is here with her husband. Let them come to my city, for a great task awaits.” Romapāda will agree and promise the wise one to depart. He will speak to the Brahmin, “Go with your wife.” The sage’s son, accepting the command, will reply, “So be it.” Permitted by the king, he will depart with his wife; both, out of affection, will join their palms and embrace each other. Daśaratha and the mighty Romapāda will rejoice, and, taking leave of his friend, Daśaratha, the descendant of Raghu, will set out. He will send swift messengers ahead, commanding, “Let the entire city be quickly and splendidly adorned.” The city will be perfumed, sprinkled, cleaned, and decorated with flags. The delighted citizens, hearing that the king has returned, will rejoice. All will follow the king’s orders, and Daśaratha will enter the beautifully decorated city. With the blaring of conches and drums, the foremost Brahmin will be led at the front. All the citizens, seeing the Brahmin, will be greatly delighted. The king, acting with the might of Indra, will honor the sage, bringing him in as Indra brings Kasyapa into heaven. After bringing him into the inner chambers and performing the prescribed worship according to the scriptures, Daśaratha will feel fulfilled. Seeing all the inner apartments peaceful and welcoming, the wide-eyed queen, together with her husband, will feel joy and happiness. Honored by the women of the palace and especially by the king, Śāntā will reside there happily for some time with the Brahmin. Now, O listener, hear the twelfth section of this glorious tale. After much time had passed, in a delightful season when spring had arrived, Daśaratha desired to perform the sacrifice. Bowing his head to the Brahmin of divine radiance, he requested him to perform the sacrifice for the sake of progeny and the continuation of his family. The Brahmin replied, “So be it,” and said to the king, “Let the preparations be made and the horse released.” “Let the sacrificial ground be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayu,” he instructed. Daśaratha then spoke to the Brahmins well-versed in the Vedas, “Sumantra, summon quickly the officiating priests who are learned in the Vedas: Suyajña, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, and Kāśyapa, and the family priest Vasiṣṭha, and all other excellent Brahmins.” Sumantra, swift and energetic, went quickly and brought all those Brahmins, learned in the Vedas. The righteous king Daśaratha honored them all. He spoke gentle words, proper and in accord with righteousness and purpose: “For me, who am afflicted for want of a son, there is truly no happiness.