King Dasharatha, seeking the welfare of his kingdom and the fulfillment of his heart’s deepest longing, addressed the Brahmin sage’s son and said, “Go with your wife.” The sage’s son, true to his word, replied to the king, “So be it.” With the king’s permission, the sage’s son departed, taking his wife with him. Out of affection, the couple joined their palms reverently and embraced one another before leaving. The two great kings, Dasharatha and the mighty Romapada, were filled with joy at this event. Having taken leave of his dear friend Romapada, Dasharatha, the illustrious descendant of Raghu, began his journey home. Wishing to prepare his city for a grand welcome, he sent swift messengers throughout the land, instructing them, “Let the entire city be quickly and splendidly adorned.” The people were to perfume, sprinkle, and clean the streets, and decorate the city with flags. When the citizens heard that their beloved king had returned, they rejoiced with delight. Obedient to the king’s command, the citizens set about their work, and soon the city was transformed—beautifully adorned and ready to receive its ruler. Amid blaring conches and resounding drums, the foremost of Brahmins was led at the front of the procession. The sight of the revered Brahmin filled all the citizens with great joy. The king, acting with the might of Indra himself, honored the Brahmin as he entered, just as the thousand-eyed Indra would honor Kasyapa in the heavens. After leading the Brahmin into the inner chambers, the king performed the prescribed worship according to the sacred scriptures. In that moment, Dasharatha felt fulfilled, having succeeded in bringing the sage into his home. The queen, wide-eyed and serene, saw the peaceful inner apartments and rejoiced with her husband at the sage’s arrival. Honored by the women of the palace and especially by the king, the Brahmin’s wife dwelled happily there for some time, together with her husband. Now, listen further to the twelfth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. As much time passed, a delightful season arrived—spring had come—and with it, a yearning grew in King Dasharatha’s heart: the desire to perform a great sacrifice. Approaching the Brahmin of divine radiance, Dasharatha bowed his head and humbly requested him to conduct a sacrifice for the sake of progeny and the continuation of his family line. The Brahmin agreed, saying, “So be it,” and instructed the king, “Let the preparations begin, and let the horse be released. The sacrificial ground should be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayu.” Dasharatha then summoned the Brahmins who were well-versed in the Vedas. He said to Sumantra, “Quickly summon the officiating priests: Suyajña, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, and Kāśyapa, as well as our family priest Vasiṣṭha, and all other excellent Brahmins.” Sumantra, swift and energetic, went at once and brought all those learned Brahmins to the king. Dasharatha honored them all, speaking gentle and righteous words: “For me, who am afflicted for want 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. By the power of the sage’s son, I too shall obtain my desires.” The Brahmins, led by Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, praised the king’s words, saying, “Well spoken!” In response, they assured him, “You will surely obtain four sons of immeasurable valor, since your righteous intention for a son has arisen.” Delighted by these auspicious words, Dasharatha instructed his ministers: “By the command of the elders, let the preparations for the sacrifice be quickly arranged. Let the horse, under the supervision of a capable overseer and accompanied by a teacher, be released. Prepare the sacrificial ground on the northern bank of the Sarayu, and let the rites of pacification be performed according to the prescribed rules and procedures. This sacrifice can indeed be performed by any king of the earth; let there be no grave error in this most excellent ritual. For the learned Brahma-rakshasas seek out flaws; if a sacrifice is performed without proper procedure, 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, saying, “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 gone, the wise king dismissed his ministers and entered his own palace. Now, listen to the thirteenth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. When spring returned and a full year had passed, the mighty Dasharatha set out to perform the horse sacrifice for the sake of offspring. With great respect and honor, he greeted Vasiṣṭha and 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, “So be it; I will accomplish all that you have resolved.” Then he addressed the aged Brahmins, those well-versed in sacrificial rites, as well as the senior, most righteous masters of construction, so that all preparations for the great sacrifice would be perfect and complete.