At the command of King Daśaratha, preparations for the great sacrifice continued with utmost care. Sage Vasiṣṭha instructed his charioteer, Sumantra, to summon the most illustrious rulers from all directions. “Bring here the cultured King Bhānumant of Kosala,” he said, “and the valiant, learned lord of Magadha, master of every science. Invite the wise and generous kings who know the proper moment to appear, and extend the king’s call to the foremost rulers of the East, Sindhu, Sauvīra, and Saurāṣṭra. Summon also all the kings of the South, and any other friendly monarchs who dwell upon the earth. Bring them swiftly, together with their retinues and families, sending noble messengers on behalf of the king.” Hearing Vasiṣṭha’s words, Sumantra immediately instructed trustworthy men to carry out the sage’s orders and set out himself, swift and righteous, to gather the invited kings. Meanwhile, those overseeing the arrangements reported to Vasiṣṭha that all preparations for the sacrifice had been carefully completed. Pleased, the venerable sage addressed the assembled men: “Let nothing be offered with disrespect or carelessness to anyone. If anything is given without due honor, it brings ruin to the giver—of this there is no doubt.” Soon, within just a few days and nights, the kings began to arrive, bringing with them many precious jewels as gifts for King Daśaratha. Vasiṣṭha, delighted, approached the king and said, “O tiger among men, at your command the kings have come. I have honored each one as befits their station, O best of kings. All the sacrificial preparations have been properly completed by attentive men. Now, you may proceed from your residence to the sacrificial ground to perform the sacred rite. Surrounded on every side by offerings of every desired thing, you will behold the sacrificial site, crafted as though by thought itself.” Following the auspicious words of Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, King Daśaratha, lord of the earth, set out on a favorable day under a propitious star. The foremost Brahmins, led by Vasiṣṭha and Ṛśyaśṛṅga, began the sacrificial rites. All went to the sacrificial enclosure, performing every act according to scripture and proper rule. There, the illustrious king, together with his wives, undertook the vow of consecration. When the year was complete and the sacrificial horse had returned, the king’s great Aśvamedha sacrifice commenced on the northern bank of the Sarayū. Ṛśyaśṛṅga and the foremost Brahmins led the rituals for the high-souled king. The officiating priests, learned in the Vedas, performed every rite with precision, moving according to scripture and established custom. They performed the Pravargya and Upasada rites as prescribed, and carried out all additional rituals according to the sacred texts. After duly honoring the participants, the eminent sages, filled with joy, performed the morning Soma-pressing rites. The offering to Indra was made properly, and the sinless king was consecrated; then, in due order, the midday Soma-pressing began, followed by the third pressing, all performed by the foremost Brahmins in exact accordance with the scriptures. Ṛśyaśṛṅga and the other skilled priests, masters of mantras and their pronunciation, invited the best of the gods, beginning with Indra. With sweet and gentle chants, the Hotṛ priests invoked the deities and offered each their proper share of the oblations. Not a single offering was omitted or mistaken; every ritual was conducted flawlessly, as if by Brahmā himself, and the entire sacrifice proceeded with perfect order and security. During those days, no one was seen weary or hungry. Every Brahmin was learned, and all present were proper attendants. The Brahmins ate, those with patrons ate, the ascetics ate, and the mendicants also ate. The elderly, the sick, women, and children likewise partook; yet, no matter how much was consumed, there was never a sense of fullness. Heaps of food, as vast as mountains, were prepared each day, all perfectly cooked and ready at the appointed times. Men and groups of women who had come from far and wide were generously provided with food and drink at the great sacrifice. The foremost of the twice-born praised the food, declaring it properly prepared and delicious. Rāghava heard them exclaim, “Ah, we are satisfied—may you be blessed!” Well-adorned men served the Brahmins, and others, wearing polished jeweled earrings, attended upon them. In the intervals between rituals, the wise and eloquent Brahmins engaged in debates on reasoning, each striving to surpass the other in knowledge. Day after day, the skilled twice-born, prompted as prescribed, performed the rites at the sacrificial ground in strict accordance with the scriptures. Among the king’s officiants, there was none ignorant of the six Vedāṅgas, none undisciplined or unlearned, and no Brahmin unskilled in debate. When the time came to raise the sacrificial posts, six were made of Bilva wood, and likewise six of Khadira; another set of six with Bilva wood, and others with leafy branches. One post was made of śleṣmātaka wood and another of devadāru wood—only these two were established there, each with arms outstretched for grasping. All these posts were constructed by those skilled in scripture and sacrificial rites, and for the sake of the sacrifice’s splendor, they were adorned with gold. Thus, with every detail attended to and every guest honored, the great Aśvamedha sacrifice of King Daśaratha proceeded in perfect harmony, radiating prosperity, generosity, and sacredness throughout the land.