After bringing the revered Brahmin into the inner chambers, King Daśaratha performed the prescribed worship with devotion, following the sacred scriptures. Having thus fulfilled his duty in welcoming the sage, the king felt a deep contentment. The queen, with her wide, beautiful eyes, observed the serene atmosphere that now pervaded all the inner apartments. Together with her husband, she rejoiced, her heart filled with happiness. Honored by the women of the palace and especially by King Daśaratha himself, the queen remained there for some time, accompanied by the Brahmin, enjoying the peace and respect bestowed upon her. Now, listen to the next chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. As time passed, and the delightful season of spring arrived, King Daśaratha’s longing for an heir grew ever stronger. Desiring to secure the future of his lineage, he resolved to perform a great sacrifice. Bowing respectfully before the radiant Brahmin, he humbly requested the sage to perform a sacrifice for the sake of progeny and the continuation of his family. The Brahmin replied, “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.” With this, King Daśaratha turned to the Brahmins learned in the Vedas and spoke, “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 diligent, carried out the king’s command and soon brought all the Brahmins who were learned in the Vedas. The righteous King Daśaratha honored them all, addressing them with gentle, righteous words: “For one afflicted by the lack of a son, there is truly no happiness. For the sake of a son, I wish to perform the horse sacrifice; this is my heartfelt intention. By the power of the sage’s son, I too hope to fulfill my desire.” The Brahmins, led by Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, praised the king’s words, declaring them well spoken. They assured him, “You will surely obtain four sons of immeasurable valor, since your righteous intention for a son has arisen.” Pleased by their words, the king turned to his ministers, his heart uplifted, and said with joy, “By the command of the elders, let the preparations for the sacrifice be arranged at once. 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 all rites of pacification be performed according to the prescribed rules.” He continued, “This sacrifice is indeed fit for any king of the earth, but let there be no error in this most excellent ritual. The learned Brahma-rakshasas seek out flaws; if the sacrifice is performed improperly, its performer is destroyed. Therefore, let this sacrifice be completed in full accordance with the sacred procedures; let those skilled in their tasks make every arrangement as required.” The ministers responded, “So be it,” and honored the king’s command, carrying out his instructions faithfully. The twice-born Brahmins praised the king, knower of righteousness, and, having been dismissed, departed as they had come. When the Brahmins had left, the wise King Daśaratha dismissed his ministers as well and entered his own palace. Now, listen to the next chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. When spring returned and a full year had passed, King Daśaratha, the mighty one, set out to perform the horse sacrifice for the sake of obtaining offspring. After greeting and properly honoring Vasiṣṭha, the king spoke humbly to the foremost of Brahmins, expressing his wish for a son: “O revered Brahmin, let the sacrifice be performed for me as prescribed, so that no obstacles may arise in any part of the ritual. You are affectionate, a true friend, and my supreme and great teacher. The burden of this sacrifice, now undertaken, must be borne by you.” Vasiṣṭha, the best of Brahmins, replied, “So be it. I will accomplish all you have resolved.” He then addressed the aged Brahmins, well-versed in sacrificial rites, as well as the senior, most righteous masters of construction. He summoned skilled artisans, carpenters, diggers, calculators, craftsmen, and even actors and dancers. He also called upon pure and learned men, those well-versed in the scriptures, saying, “Let the sacrifice be undertaken by you all, by the king’s command.” He instructed them, “Let thousands of bricks be quickly brought, and let all necessary preparations be made for the king with great care and excellence. Let hundreds of auspicious dwellings for Brahmins be constructed, well-equipped and furnished with abundant food and drink. Likewise, arrange spacious accommodations for the townspeople, and separately for the kings arriving from distant lands. Prepare stables for horses and elephants, sleeping quarters, and large residences for soldiers and foreign guests.” He further commanded, “Food must be given properly and with respect, not carelessly, so that all castes receive due honor and are well attended. No disrespect should be shown, even out of desire or anger, to those engaged in the sacrificial tasks, including the artisans.” Thus, with every detail attended to and all preparations made in accordance with the scriptures, the great horse sacrifice was set in motion, guided by the wisdom of the Brahmins and the devotion of King Daśaratha, who yearned for the blessing of sons to continue his glorious lineage.