The great horse sacrifice, the Aśvamedha, was declared by the Brahmins, following the Kalpasūtra, to span three days. On the first day, the Catuṣṭoma rite was meticulously arranged. The second day saw the performance of the Ukthya ritual, the enumerated Atirātra, and many other prescribed ceremonies. The Jyotiṣṭoma, Āyuṣī, and Atirātra rites were conducted, as well as the Abhijit, Viśvajit, Āptoryāma, and the grand sacrifice, all in accordance with the sacred texts. In keeping with tradition, the king—Daśaratha, enhancer of his lineage—gave the eastern region to the Hotṛ priest, the western to the Adhvaryu, and the southern direction to the Brahman. To the Udgātṛ, he granted the northern quarter. This donation, established long ago by Svayambhū, was the prescribed offering at the great horse sacrifice. Having properly completed the sacrifice, the illustrious king gave the land to the officiating priests. Filled with joy, the descendant of Ikṣvāku listened as the priests, now freed from sin, addressed him. “O king, you alone are worthy to protect the entire earth. We have no use for the land, nor are we capable of its governance. We are always devoted to self-study, O ruler of the earth. Please grant us some other compensation.” The Brahmins requested, “Give us a jewel, a precious gem, gold, or cows—whatever is available, O best of men; we have no need for the land.” Thus addressed by the Veda-knowing Brahmins, the king generously gave them ten hundred thousand cows. He bestowed ten crores of gold and four times that amount in silver. The priests distributed the wealth among themselves, and the sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and the wise Vasiṣṭha received their proper share. All, their hearts well pleased, responded joyfully; to those who assisted, Daśaratha gave gold with great care. He gave to the Brahmins gold from Jāmbūnada in crores, and to a poor Brahmin, the finest hand ornaments. To any who requested, the descendant of Raghu gave freely. When the Brahmins were properly satisfied, Daśaratha, who cherished them, acted accordingly. He bowed to them, his senses overwhelmed with joy, and the Brahmins pronounced various blessings upon him. Having given up the earth, the generous and heroic king attained the supreme sacrifice. The sin-removing, heaven-leading, and difficult-to-accomplish rite for kings was completed. Then, King Daśaratha addressed Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, saying, “You, of noble vows, ought to perform that which will increase your lineage.” The foremost among the twice-born replied, “O King, you will have four sons who will bring glory to your family.” Hearing these sweet words, the great-souled king, reverently bowing, experienced supreme joy and again spoke to Sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. Listen now to the fifteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. After contemplating for a moment, the wise Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, having regained his composure, spoke to the king, who was knowledgeable in the Vedas. “I will perform for you a sacrificial rite for the sake of sons, using mantras prescribed in the Atharvaśirsa, accomplished according to proper procedure.” He began the sacrificial rite for the purpose of sons, and the radiant sage offered oblations into the fire, performing the ritual as prescribed by the mantras. As the rite proceeded, the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages assembled according to proper rites to receive their shares. Having gathered as prescribed, the deities in that assembly spoke to Brahmā, the creator of the worlds. “O Lord, by your grace, a Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa oppresses us all with his strength; we are unable to restrain him. You granted him a boon out of affection, O Lord, and we always honor him; we endure everything from him. That wicked-minded one agitates the three worlds, despises them, and desires to violate Indra, king of the gods. He transgresses against sages, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Brāhmaṇas, and Asuras, emboldened by the boon and rendered arrogant. The sun does not burn him, nor does the wind blow near him; even the ocean, seeing him, does not stir its waves. Therefore, O Lord, there is great fear from that terrifying Rākṣasa; you ought to devise a means for his destruction.” Thus addressed, Brahmā pondered and spoke, “The means for the destruction of that evil one is now known. By him, it was declared, ‘I am invulnerable to Gandharvas, Yakṣas, gods, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas,’ and I affirmed it accordingly. Out of disdain, that Rākṣasa did not mention humans; therefore, he is vulnerable to death from a human, and no other death is possible for him.” Meanwhile, Viṣṇu, of great splendor, arrived, holding conch, discus, and mace, clad in yellow garments, the lord of the universe. Mounted upon Garuda, like the sun upon a rain cloud, adorned with blazing golden armlets, he was praised by the best of the gods. Brahmā himself arrived and stood with focused mind; all the gods, bowing and extolling him, addressed Viṣṇu. “O Viṣṇu, desiring the welfare of the worlds, we appoint you; you must become the son of King Daśaratha, the lord of Ayodhya.