In a time of great reverence and celebration, the air was filled with the aroma of deliciously prepared food, praised by the foremost of the twice-born. Their voices echoed with satisfaction, exclaiming blessings upon the king, Rāghava, who listened intently. Well-adorned men served the Brahmins, their polished jeweled earrings gleaming as they attended to the esteemed guests. Amidst the rituals, the wise and eloquent Brahmins engaged in spirited debates, each striving to outshine the other with their reasoning. Day after day, these skilled twice-born fulfilled their sacred duties at the sacrificial ground, adhering strictly to the scriptures. Among the king's officiants, there was not a single soul ignorant of the six Vedāṅgas; all were disciplined, learned, and skilled in the art of debate. As the sacrificial posts were raised, six were crafted from Bilva wood and another six from Khadira, with additional posts made from leafy branches. Two posts were established from śleṣmātaka wood and devadāru wood, each reaching skyward with arms outstretched, poised for the sacred rites. These posts, constructed by adept craftsmen, were adorned with gold, shining brilliantly in the sunlight. A total of twenty-one sacrificial posts stood tall, each embellished with twenty-one jewels and draped in twenty-one garments, firmly placed according to the rules of the ritual. They were worshipped with fragrant flowers and offerings, radiating like the celestial Seven Sages in the night sky. Bricks were meticulously fashioned to precise measurements, and the altar fire was laid by Brahmins skilled in altar construction. This altar, a magnificent creation in the form of Garuḍa with golden wings, was layered thrice and composed of eighteen parts, embodying the lion among kings. Animals were designated for each deity according to sacred texts, including serpents, birds, and even a noble horse, which was chosen for King Daśaratha, alongside aquatic creatures as prescribed. In total, three hundred animals were arranged at the sacrificial posts, with Kausalyā, the king’s beloved queen, tending to the noble horse with great care. With a heart full of joy, she prepared to release it, wielding three knives with a steady hand. Together with the sacred bird, she spent the night in devotion, desiring righteousness. The officiating priests, the Hotṛ, Adhvaryu, and Udgātṛ, joined the queen’s wives in the sacred rites, leading the ceremonies with precision. The accomplished priest took the fat of the bird and, in accordance with the scriptures, poured it into the fire, while the king inhaled the fragrant smoke, cleansing himself of sin. Sixteen priests, united in purpose, cast all the limbs of the horse into the fire, adhering strictly to the ritualistic rules. For this great Aśvamedha sacrifice, the oblation was made in a vessel of reeds, distinct from other sacrifices that utilized branches of the plakṣa tree. The Aśvamedha was to span three days, as declared by the Kalpasūtra, with the first day dedicated to the Catuṣṭoma rite, followed by the Ukthya and the enumerated Atirātra rites, all performed as prescribed by the scriptures. As the king, the enhancer of his lineage, directed the priests in their respective positions—granting the eastern direction to the Hotṛ, the western to the Adhvaryu, and the southern to the Brahman—he followed the ancient customs established by Svayambhū. Upon the completion of the sacrifice, the illustrious descendant of Ikṣvāku offered the land to the officiating priests, a gesture of profound respect and gratitude. With this act, joy radiated from the king, and the priests, now free from sin, addressed him with reverence. They proclaimed, "You alone are worthy to protect the entire earth; we seek not the land for governance." They expressed their devotion to the practice of self-study, requesting instead jewels, precious gems, gold, or cows—whatever the king could provide. Responding to the wisdom of the Brahmins, the king generously bestowed upon them ten hundred thousand cows, along with ten crores of gold and four times that in silver. The priests, filled with gratitude, divided the wealth among themselves, ensuring that the sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and the wise Vasiṣṭha received their fair share. With hearts aglow, they rejoiced in the king's generosity. The king, mindful of those who assisted in the rituals, distributed gold with great care, gifting crores of gold from Jāmbūnada and finest hand ornaments to a poor Brahmin who requested them. Satisfied with the offerings, he bowed deeply to the Brahmins, overwhelmed with joy as they pronounced various blessings upon him, sealing the sacred bonds of respect and devotion in that hallowed moment.