In a time of great reverence and solemnity, the kingdom prepared for a magnificent sacrifice, the Aśvamedha, a rite steeped in tradition and significance. The craftsmen, skilled in their art, worked diligently to create an altar that was both beautiful and precise. Each element was carefully fashioned, with eight-sided forms that gleamed with smoothness, adorned in fine garments and worshipped with fragrant flowers, shining like the radiant Seven Sages in the night sky. The altar, a magnificent representation of Garuḍa with golden wings, was constructed by learned Brahmins, embodying the essence of divine craftsmanship. It was triple-layered and composed of eighteen distinct parts, each meticulously arranged according to sacred rules. Animals were designated for each deity, with serpents and birds assigned as prescribed by the scriptures, while a noble horse and various aquatic creatures were also included in the offerings. As the preparations unfolded, three hundred animals were positioned at the sacrificial posts, and King Daśaratha's heart swelled with pride as he beheld the finest horse, a jewel among steeds, prepared for the sacrifice. His beloved queen, Kausalyā, attended to the horse with great care and joy, releasing it with three knives, her heart steady and devoted. Throughout the night, Kausalyā remained vigilant, desiring righteousness, while the officiating priests—Hotṛ, Adhvaryu, and Udgātṛ—joined the queen's wives in their sacred duties. The priest, self-controlled and accomplished, took the fat of the bird and, in accordance with scripture, poured it into the fire, allowing the sacred smoke to rise and purify the king of his sins. As the sacrifice continued, all sixteen priests cast the limbs of the horse into the fire, adhering to the rules of the rite. For this great Aśvamedha, a vessel of reeds was used, distinct from the branches of the plakṣa tree employed in other offerings. The rituals unfolded over three days, as prescribed by the Kalpasūtra, with the first day devoted to the Catuṣṭoma rite, followed by the Ukthya and Atirātra, and an array of other sacred ceremonies. King Daśaratha, the enhancer of his lineage, honored the officiating priests by giving them directions for their roles in the sacrifice. He bestowed upon the Hotṛ the eastern direction, the Adhvaryu the western, and the Brahman the southern, while the Udgātṛ received the northern direction. This act of generosity was a long-established practice, rooted in the wisdom of Svayambhū. Upon the completion of the sacrifice, the illustrious king offered land to the priests, a gesture that filled his heart with joy. The priests, now freed from sin, addressed him with gratitude, proclaiming that he alone was worthy to protect the earth. They humbly expressed their disinterest in the land, preferring instead some other form of compensation. In response, King Daśaratha generously gifted them ten hundred thousand cows, ten crores of gold, and four times that amount in silver, ensuring that the wealth was distributed among the priests. To the esteemed sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and the wise Vasiṣṭha, the foremost Brahmins, the gifts were divided with care, and all present rejoiced at the king's generosity. He gave gold from Jāmbūnada in crores and offered the finest hand ornaments to a poor Brahmin who requested them. Satisfied by the king's kindness, the Brahmins pronounced various blessings upon him, their hearts filled with joy. King Daśaratha, having given up the earth and embraced the path of generosity, attained the supreme sacrifice, a rite that was both sin-removing and heaven-leading, a feat not easily accomplished. With a heart full of hope, he turned to Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and urged him to perform a sacrificial rite that would bless him with sons. The noble sage, after a moment of contemplation, assured the king that he would conduct a ritual using mantras from the Atharvaśirsa, following the proper procedures. Thus, the radiant sage began the sacrificial rite, invoking the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages, who assembled to receive their offerings, their presence a testament to the sacredness of the moment. The air was thick with devotion, and the promise of blessings lingered in the atmosphere, as the king’s lineage awaited its destined glory.