At the request of the sage’s son, King Dasharatha agreed that the Brahmin’s wife should go to his city, for a great task was about to unfold. The king spoke warmly to the Brahmin, inviting him to journey with his wife, and the sage’s son, accepting the invitation, assured the king, “So be it.” Thus permitted, the Brahmin and his wife departed together, their affection evident as they joined their palms and embraced one another. Dasharatha and the mighty Romapada rejoiced at this union. After bidding farewell to his friend Romapada, Dasharatha, descendant of Raghu, set out for his own city. He sent swift messengers throughout the city, commanding, “Let the entire city be quickly and splendidly adorned.” The streets were perfumed, sprinkled, and cleaned, decorated with vibrant flags. The citizens, delighted upon hearing that their king had returned, rejoiced and carried out his orders with enthusiasm. When Dasharatha entered the beautifully decorated city, the air was filled with the blaring of conches and drums. The foremost Brahmins led the procession, and the sight of the Brahmin brought great delight to all the people. Honored by Dasharatha, who acted with the might of Indra, the Brahmin was welcomed just as Kasyapa is welcomed by thousand-eyed Indra in heaven. After bringing him into the inner chambers and performing the prescribed worship according to the scriptures, Dasharatha felt fulfilled in his heart. Within the peaceful inner apartments, the wide-eyed queen and her husband experienced joy and happiness. Honored by the women of the palace and especially by the king, the Brahmin’s wife stayed there happily for some time along with her husband. Now, listen to the twelfth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. After much time had passed, in a delightful season when spring had arrived, King Dasharatha felt the desire to perform a sacrifice. Bowing respectfully to the Brahmin of divine radiance, he requested him to perform a sacrifice for the sake of progeny and the continuation of the royal family. The Brahmin replied, “So be it,” and instructed the king, “Let the preparations be made, and let the horse be released. Prepare the sacrificial ground on the northern bank of the Sarayu.” Dasharatha then spoke to the Brahmins well-versed in the Vedas, “Summon quickly, Sumantra, the officiating priests who are learned in the Vedas: Suyajña, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, and Kāśyapa, as well as the family priest Vasiṣṭha, and all other excellent Brahmins.” Sumantra, swift and energetic, brought all these learned Brahmins, and the righteous king honored them. Dasharatha spoke gentle, righteous words to them: “For me, afflicted by the absence of a son, there is truly no happiness. For the sake of a son, I wish to perform a horse sacrifice; this is my intention.” He expressed his hope that, by the power of the sage’s son, his desires would be fulfilled. The Brahmins praised his words, saying, “Well spoken!” All the Brahmins, led by Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, responded to the king’s plea: “You will surely obtain four sons of immeasurable valor, since your righteous intention for a son has arisen.” Pleased by their words, the king joyfully instructed his ministers: “By the command of the elders, let the preparations for the sacrifice be quickly arranged for me. Let the horse, under the supervision of a capable overseer and accompanied by a teacher, be released. Let the sacrificial ground be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayu, and let the rites of pacification be performed according to the prescribed rules and procedures. Let there be no grave error in this most excellent ritual, for the learned Brahma-rakshasas seek out flaws; if a sacrifice is performed improperly, its performer is immediately destroyed. Therefore, let this sacrifice be completed for me in full accordance with the prescribed rules; let those skilled in the tasks arrange everything accordingly.” The ministers responded, “So be it,” honored the king’s command, and carried out his instructions. The twice-born Brahmins praised Dasharatha, the knower of righteousness, and, having been permitted, departed as they had come. When the Brahmins had left, the wise king dismissed his ministers and entered his palace. Now, listen to the thirteenth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. When spring returned and a full year had passed, Dasharatha, mighty in resolve, set out to perform the horse sacrifice for the sake of offspring. After respectfully greeting and honoring Vasiṣṭha, Dasharatha spoke humbly to the foremost of Brahmins about his desire for progeny: “O Brahmin, let the sacrifice be performed for me as prescribed, O best of sages, so that no obstacles may arise in any part of the ritual. You are affectionate, a true friend to me, and my supreme and great teacher; the burden of this sacrifice, now undertaken, must be borne by you.” The best of Brahmins replied to the king, “So be it; I will accomplish all that you have resolved.