When King Daśaratha expressed his resolve to undertake the great horse sacrifice, the foremost among Brahmins, Vasiṣṭha, replied with assurance: “So be it; I will accomplish all that you have resolved.” With that promise, Vasiṣṭha turned to the aged Brahmins, those deeply versed in sacrificial rites, and to the senior, most righteous masters of construction. He summoned skilled artisans, carpenters, diggers, calculators, and craftsmen, as well as actors and dancers to lend their talents to the occasion. He also called upon pure and learned men, those who knew the scriptures intimately, saying, “Let the sacrifice be undertaken by you all, by the king’s command.” He instructed them to bring thousands of bricks swiftly and to make all necessary preparations for the king, with great care and excellence. Hundreds of auspicious dwellings for Brahmins were to be constructed, well-equipped and furnished with abundant food and drink. Spacious accommodations were arranged for the townspeople, and separate lodgings for kings arriving from distant lands. Stables for horses and elephants, sleeping quarters, and grand residences for soldiers and foreign guests were also prepared. Vasiṣṭha emphasized that food must be given properly and with respect, not carelessly, so that all castes receive due honor and are well attended. No disrespect was to be shown to anyone engaged in the sacrificial tasks, including the artisans, whether out of desire or anger. All were to be especially honored in due order, receiving gifts and meals so that each person was properly respected. He instructed that everything must be arranged so that nothing would be lacking, and all tasks should be carried out with minds full of joy and devotion. After these directions, all those assembled approached Vasiṣṭha and declared, “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 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 Vasiṣṭha’s instructions, Sumantra at once ordered the worthy men present to bring the kings. Obeying the sage’s instruction, the righteous Sumantra himself, swift and wise, set out to gather them. All those responsible for preparations reported everything that had been arranged for the sacrifice to the great sage Vasiṣṭha. Delighted, 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—of this there is no doubt.” Within a few days and nights, the kings arrived, bringing many jewels for King Daśaratha. Vasiṣṭha, well pleased, 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 proceed from your residence to the sacrificial ground to perform the rite. Surrounded on all sides by offerings of every desired thing, you should behold, O king, the sacrificial site, crafted as if by the mind itself.” Thus, following the words 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 with Ṛśyaśṛṅga at their head, began the sacrificial rites. Each went to the sacrificial enclosure, performing every act according to scripture and proper rule. The illustrious king, together with his wives, undertook the vow of consecration. Now begins the fourteenth sarga; listen. When the year was complete and the horse had returned, the king’s sacrifice commenced on the northern bank of the Sarayū. With Ṛśyaśṛṅga at their head, the foremost Brahmins performed the great Aśvamedha sacrifice for the high-souled king. The officiating priests, learned in the Vedas, conducted the rites properly, moving about according to scripture and established custom.