The Brahmins, honored and wise, gathered before King Daśaratha and addressed him with humility and respect. “O protector of the earth,” they said, “you alone are worthy to safeguard this realm. We have no need for the land, nor are we suited to govern it. Our hearts are ever devoted to the sacred practice of self-study and the recitation of the Vedas. Grant us, O king, some other recompense, for we seek not dominion over the earth.” They continued, “Best of men, please give us a precious jewel, a gem, gold, or cows—whatever you deem fit and is available. We have no desire for land.” Hearing these words from the learned Brahmins, King Daśaratha, ever generous, bestowed upon them a great gift—one million cows. He gave them ten crores of gold and four times that amount in silver. The priests, delighted with his generosity, distributed the wealth among themselves. To the venerable sages Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and Vasiṣṭha, foremost among the Brahmins, the gifts were divided with due honor. All present, their hearts filled with joy, responded with happiness. To those who had assisted in the sacrifice, the king gave gold with special care. He presented the Brahmins with gold from Jāmbūnada in vast quantities and bestowed the finest ornaments upon a poor Brahmin who had requested them. To every Brahmin who asked, the descendant of Raghu gave freely, ensuring all were satisfied. When the Brahmins were content, Daśaratha, who cherished them deeply, bowed before them, his senses overwhelmed with joy. In turn, the Brahmins pronounced many blessings upon him. For his generosity and heroism in giving up the earth, King Daśaratha, his mind delighted, attained the supreme merit of the great sacrifice—a rite that removes sin, leads to heaven, and is difficult indeed for kings to accomplish. Then, turning to Sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Daśaratha said, “O noble one, you should perform that which will increase your own lineage.” Hearing this, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, foremost among the twice-born, spoke words of assurance: “O King, you will have four sons who will bring glory to your family.” Upon hearing these sweet words, the great-souled Daśaratha bowed reverently to the sage, his heart swelling with supreme joy, and spoke again to Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. Now, listen to the next part of the story as told in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. After a moment’s reflection, the wise Ṛṣyaśṛṅga composed himself and addressed the king, who was learned in the Vedas. “I will perform for you a sacrificial rite for the sake of sons, using the mantras prescribed in the Atharvaśirsa, and following the proper procedures.” Thus, the sage began the sacrificial rite for progeny, offering radiant oblations into the sacred fire according to the prescribed mantras. As the ritual progressed, the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages assembled, each according to the proper rites, to receive their shares of the offerings. Gathered together as tradition required, the deities addressed Brahmā, the creator of the worlds: “O Lord, by your grace, a Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa oppresses us all with his immense strength. We are powerless to restrain him. You granted him a boon out of affection, and we always honor him, enduring all that he inflicts upon us. This wicked-minded one agitates the three worlds, despises them, and even aspires to violate Indra, king of the gods. He transgresses against sages, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Brāhmaṇas, and Asuras, emboldened by your boon and rendered arrogant. The sun does not burn him, nor does the wind blow near him; even the ocean, seeing him, ceases to stir its waves. Therefore, O Lord, we are greatly afraid of this terrifying Rākṣasa. You must devise a means for his destruction.” Thus addressed by all the gods, Brahmā pondered deeply and replied, “The means for the destruction of that evil one is now known. When he sought his boon, he declared, ‘I am invulnerable to Gandharvas, Yakṣas, gods, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas,’ and I affirmed it. Out of disdain, however, he did not mention humans. Therefore, he is vulnerable to death at the hands of a human; by no other means can he be slain.” At that moment, Viṣṇu, resplendent and mighty, appeared before them. He held the conch, discus, and mace, was clad in yellow garments, and shone as the lord of the universe. Mounted upon Garuda, radiant as the sun upon a rain cloud and 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 bowed and extolled Viṣṇu, addressing him with reverence: “O Viṣṇu, for the welfare of the worlds, we appoint you. You must become the son of King Daśaratha, lord of Ayodhya. He is righteous, generous, and as brilliant as the great sages. Among his three wives, who are like Modesty, Fortune, and Fame, O Viṣṇu, become his son, dividing yourself into four forms. There, taking human birth, you must destroy the great scourge of the worlds. O Viṣṇu, slay Rāvaṇa in battle, for he cannot be killed by the gods, and he torments the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and the best of sages. That foolish Rākṣasa Rāvaṇa, drunk with power, oppresses the sages, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras. While playing in the Nandana grove, they were struck down by his cruelty. For the purpose of his destruction, we have gathered here with the sages. Therefore, the Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Yakṣas have sought refuge in you; you are the supreme refuge for all of us, O subduer of foes. Turn your mind, O god, to the destruction of the enemies of gods and men in this world.” Thus praised and entreated by all the immortals, Viṣṇu, the lord of the gods, stood ready to fulfill their prayer.