Clad in splendid garments and adorned with fragrant flowers, those present shone with a radiance likened to the Seven Sages glittering in the heavens. The sacred bricks for the altar were fashioned with exactitude, following every rule, and the altar fire was laid by Brahmins deeply skilled in the sacred science of altar construction. Thus, the altar for King Daśaratha—the lion among kings—was raised by learned Brahmins. It took the majestic form of Garuḍa, with golden wings, triple-layered, and divided into eighteen distinct parts. In accordance with scriptural injunctions, animals were designated for each deity, and even serpents and birds were assigned their places. The sages also appointed a horse and aquatic creatures for the ritual, all as prescribed in the scriptures of that time. Three hundred animals were bound at the sacrificial posts, and, as the crowning offering, the finest horse was set apart for King Daśaratha’s sacrifice. Queen Kausalyā, with great devotion, attended to the horse in every prescribed way. With joy and reverence, she released it using three knives, as tradition required. With a steady heart and joined by the bird, Kausalyā, intent on righteousness, spent the entire night there, fulfilling her sacred duty. The Hotṛ, Adhvaryu, and Udgātṛ priests took the hands of the king’s wives and led another woman around the horse, as prescribed. The chief officiating priest, self-controlled and highly accomplished, took the fat of the bird and, following the scriptural rites, poured it into the sacred fire. At the appointed time and in the proper manner, the king inhaled the fragrant smoke of the fat, thus purifying himself of all sin. All sixteen priests, as per the rules, consigned the limbs of the horse into the fire. For other sacrifices, oblations are offered on branches of the plakṣa tree, but for the Aśvamedha, a vessel of reeds is prescribed. The Aśvamedha sacrifice itself is declared to last three days, according to the Kalpasūtra of the Brahmins: the first day is arranged as the Catuṣṭoma rite. On the second day, the Ukthya and the enumerated Atirātra rites were performed, followed by numerous other ceremonies as prescribed in the scriptures. The Jyotiṣṭoma, Āyuṣī, and Atirātra sacrifices were conducted, as were the Abhijit, Viśvajit, Āptoryāma, and the great sacrifice. King Daśaratha, ever the enhancer of his lineage, gave away the four directions in charity: the east to the Hotṛ, the west to the Adhvaryu, the south to the Brahman, and the north to the Udgātṛ, as established long ago by Svayambhū for the great horse sacrifice. Having thus completed the sacrifice properly, the illustrious king donated the land to the officiating priests. After making these gifts, the noble descendant of Ikṣvāku was filled with joy. The priests, seeing him now free from sin, addressed the king: “O King, you alone are worthy to protect the earth. We have no need for the land, nor are we suited to govern it. We are ever devoted to study and self-discipline. Please bestow upon us some other compensation.” They continued, “Give us jewels, precious gems, gold, or cows—whatever you wish, O best of men, for we do not desire the land.” Thus addressed by the Brahmins, masters of the Vedas, the king generously gave them one hundred thousand cows, ten crores of gold, and four times that amount in silver. The priests then divided this wealth among themselves. To the sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and the wise Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of Brahmins, a proper share of the gifts was given. All the priests, hearts well pleased, rejoiced. To those who assisted, the king also gave gold with great care, including gold from Jāmbūnada in the count of crores, and to a poor Brahmin, he gave the finest hand ornaments. To any who asked, the descendant of Raghu gave freely. When the Brahmins were fully satisfied, he, ever cherishing them, acted with due reverence. Overwhelmed with joy, the king bowed to them, and the Brahmins pronounced many blessings upon him. Having given up the earth in charity, the heroic and generous king, delighted in heart, attained the supreme merit of the sacrifice. The Aśvamedha, a sin-removing, heaven-leading, and supremely difficult rite for kings, had been completed. Then King Daśaratha addressed Ṛṣyaśṛṅga: “O noble sage, you must now perform that which will increase my lineage.” The foremost of the twice-born, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, replied, “O King, you will have four sons who will bring glory to your family.” Hearing these sweet words, the great-souled king, bowing reverently, was filled with supreme joy and spoke again to the sage. Now, listen to the fifteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. After a moment’s contemplation, the wise Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, regaining his composure, spoke to the king, who was learned in the Vedas. “I will perform for you a sacrificial rite for the sake of sons, using the mantras of the Atharvaśirsa, and I will do so according to proper procedure.” Thus, the radiant sage began the rite for the birth of sons, offering oblations into the fire as prescribed by the mantras. As the ritual commenced, the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages assembled, each ready to receive their share, as prescribed by the sacred rites. Once gathered, the deities in that great assembly addressed Brahmā, the creator of all the worlds.