The ministers, having heard the king’s command, responded with a respectful “So be it,” and carried out his instructions exactly as he had ordered. The Brahmins, those twice-born men learned in righteousness, praised King Daśaratha, recognizing him as a knower of dharma. With his permission, they departed just as they had come. When the Brahmins had left, the wise king dismissed his ministers and withdrew into his own palace. Now, listen to the thirteenth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. When a full year had passed and spring returned, the mighty King Daśaratha resolved to perform the great horse sacrifice, the aśvamedha, seeking the blessing of offspring. Approaching the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha with deep respect and honor, the king humbly expressed his heartfelt desire for progeny to the foremost of Brahmins. “O Brahmin,” he said, “please have the sacrifice performed for me according to the sacred prescriptions, so that no obstacle may arise in any part of the ritual. You are dear to me, a true friend, my supreme and great teacher; I entrust to you the burden of this sacrifice that I have undertaken.” Vasiṣṭha, the best of Brahmins, replied reassuringly, “So be it. I will accomplish all that you have resolved.” He then addressed the elder Brahmins, those well-versed in sacrificial rites, as well as the senior and most righteous masters of construction. He summoned the skilled artisans, carpenters, diggers, calculators, craftsmen, and also the actors and dancers. Likewise, he called upon pure and learned men, those deeply versed in the scriptures, saying, “By the king’s command, let the sacrifice be undertaken by you all.” He instructed them further: “Let thousands of bricks be quickly brought, and let all necessary preparations be made for the king with great care and excellence. Construct hundreds of auspicious dwellings for Brahmins, well-equipped and furnished with abundant food and drink. Likewise, arrange spacious accommodations for the townspeople and, separately, for the kings who will arrive from distant lands. Prepare stables for horses and elephants, sleeping quarters, and large residences for soldiers and foreign guests.” Vasiṣṭha emphasized, “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. They too must be especially honored in due order, so that all are properly respected with gifts and meals. Let everything be arranged so that nothing is lacking; do this with minds full of joy and devotion.” All those assembled responded to Vasiṣṭha, “Everything has been properly arranged as you wished; nothing is left incomplete. We will do as you have instructed; nothing will be neglected.” Then Vasiṣṭha summoned Sumantra and said, “Invite the righteous kings of the earth, as well as thousands of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Bring, with due honor, people from all regions, especially Janaka, the brave and truthful lord of Mithila. Bring that illustrious one yourself, treating him with great respect, for he is an old ally; therefore, I mention him first. Likewise, bring the affectionate and always kindly-spoken king of Kāśi, of noble conduct and godlike appearance, yourself. Also bring the aged and supremely righteous king of the Kekayas, the father-in-law of the lion among kings, along with his sons. Bring Romapāda, the lord of Aṅga, mighty with the bow and well-honored, the friend of the lion among kings, together with his sons. Likewise, bring the well-cultured king Bhānumant of Kosala, and the brave and learned lord of Magadha, master of all sciences. Bring the wise, most generous, and honored best among men, who knows the proper time to arrive; take the king's command and urge the foremost kings—those of the East, Sindhu, Sauvīra, and Saurāṣṭra. Summon all the southern kings, and any other friendly rulers who dwell upon the earth. Bring them quickly, together with their retinues and relatives; send for them with noble messengers, by the king’s command.” Hearing these words, Sumantra immediately ordered the worthy men present to go and bring the kings. Obeying the sage’s instruction, the righteous Sumantra himself, swift and wise, set out to gather them. Meanwhile, all those in charge of the preparations reported to the great sage Vasiṣṭha that everything for the sacrifice had been properly arranged. Delighted, Vasiṣṭha, the best of twice-born sages, addressed them all: “Let nothing be given with disrespect or carelessness to anyone. If anything is given with disrespect, it destroys the giver—this is certain.” In a few days and nights, the invited kings arrived, bringing many jewels for King Daśaratha. Vasiṣṭha, pleased with all that had been accomplished, spoke to the king: “O tiger among men, the kings have come at your command; I have honored them all as is fitting, O best of kings. All the sacrificial preparations have been properly completed by the attentive men; you may now proceed from your residence to the sacrificial ground to perform the rite.