As the year drew to a close and spring returned, King Daśaratha, longing for heirs, resolved to perform the great horse sacrifice. With humility and reverence, he approached the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, his trusted friend and supreme teacher, and expressed his heartfelt desire: “O best of Brahmins, let the sacrifice be conducted for me as prescribed, so that no obstacle may arise. The burden of this sacred rite must rest upon you, for you are my affectionate guide.” Vasiṣṭha replied with assurance, “So be it; all that you have resolved, I will accomplish.” With this promise, Vasiṣṭha summoned the senior Brahmins, those learned in sacrificial rites, and the master builders renowned for their righteousness. He called forth skilled artisans, carpenters, diggers, calculators, craftsmen, as well as actors and dancers. Pure, learned men versed in the scriptures also gathered at his command. “By order of the king,” he declared, “let the sacrifice be undertaken by you all.” He instructed them to bring thousands of bricks swiftly and to prepare every necessity for the king with care and excellence. Hundreds of auspicious dwellings for Brahmins were to be constructed, furnished with abundant food and drink. Spacious accommodations were arranged for the townspeople, and separate lodgings prepared for visiting kings from distant lands. Stables for horses and elephants, sleeping quarters, and large residences for soldiers and foreign guests were also made ready. Vasiṣṭha emphasized that food must be distributed properly and respectfully, ensuring every caste received honor and attentive service. No one engaged in the sacrificial tasks, including artisans, was to be disrespected, whether through desire or anger. All were to be honored in due order, receiving gifts and meals befitting their roles. Everything was to be arranged so that nothing would be lacking, carried out with joyful and devoted hearts. When these preparations were complete, the assembled men reported 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.” Vasiṣṭha then summoned Sumantra and instructed him to invite the righteous kings of the earth, as well as thousands of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. He was to bring, with honor, people from all regions, especially Janaka, the brave and truthful lord of Mithila, the king of Kāśi, noble and godlike, the aged and righteous king of the Kekayas—Daśaratha’s father-in-law—along with his sons, Romapāda, the mighty lord of Aṅga and friend of Daśaratha, and his sons, Bhānumant of Kosala, the learned lord of Magadha, and other renowned kings. Sumantra was to urge the foremost kings of the East, Sindhu, Sauvīra, Saurāṣṭra, the southern realms, and any other friendly rulers to come swiftly with their retinues and relatives, summoned by noble messengers bearing the king’s command. Hearing Vasiṣṭha’s words, Sumantra immediately dispatched worthy men to bring the kings and himself set out, swift and wise, to gather them. Meanwhile, those overseeing the preparations reported all that had been arranged for the sacrifice to the great sage Vasiṣṭha. Pleased, Vasiṣṭha addressed them all: “Let nothing be given with disrespect or carelessness to anyone. If anything is given with disrespect, it destroys the giver—of this there is no doubt.” Within a few days and nights, the invited kings arrived, bearing many jewels for King Daśaratha. Vasiṣṭha, delighted, spoke to Daśaratha: “O tiger among men, the kings have come at your command; I have honored them all as is fitting, O best of kings. All sacrificial preparations have been properly completed by attentive men; you may proceed from your residence to the sacrificial ground to perform the rite. Surrounded on all sides by offerings of every desired thing, behold, O king, the sacrificial site, crafted as if by the mind itself.” Thus, following the guidance of both Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the lord of the earth, King Daśaratha, set out on an auspicious day under a favorable star. All the foremost Brahmins, led by Vasiṣṭha and with Ṛśyaśṛṅga at their head, began the sacred sacrificial rites.