In a time of great need, King Daśaratha, the ruler of Ayodhya, heeded the wise counsel of the Brahmins, the masters of the sacred Vedas. With a heart full of generosity, he bestowed upon them a magnificent gift of ten hundred thousand cows, a testament to his devotion and respect for the learned. He further enriched their offerings with ten crores of gold and an astonishing four times that amount in silver. The priests, filled with joy, distributed this wealth among themselves, ensuring that all benefited from the king's benevolence. Among the recipients were the revered sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and the wise Vasiṣṭha, who oversaw the proper division of these gifts. Their hearts swelled with gratitude, and in response to the king’s generosity, they joyfully pronounced blessings upon him. King Daśaratha, moved by their words and the fulfillment of his duty, offered gold meticulously to those who had assisted him, including the finest hand ornaments to a humble Brahmin in need. His actions were a reflection of his deep respect for the Brahmins, and as he bowed before them, his senses were overwhelmed with joy. In this moment of devotion, the king experienced the supreme joy that comes from giving, and he attained the highest sacrifice, one that cleanses sins and leads to heaven. With a heart full of hope, he addressed Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, urging him to perform a sacred rite that would bless him with sons to continue his lineage. The sage, wise and noble, assured the king that by his blessings, Daśaratha would indeed be blessed with four sons who would bring glory to his family. Hearing these sweet words, the great-souled king bowed reverently, his heart swelling with supreme joy. The sage, after a moment of contemplation, regained his composure and declared that he would perform a sacrificial rite for the sake of sons, using the sacred mantras from the Atharvaśirsa, following the prescribed rituals with utmost care. As the rite commenced, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga offered oblations into the sacred fire, invoking the divine presence. The gods, along with the celestial beings—the Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages—assembled to receive their offerings. In that divine gathering, the deities raised their voices to Brahmā, the creator, expressing their plight against a formidable Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa, who oppressed them with his immense strength. They lamented that, despite their reverence and endurance, they were unable to restrain him. Rāvaṇa, emboldened by a boon granted by Brahmā himself, had become a scourge upon the three worlds, defying the gods, sages, and all beings alike. His arrogance was such that he did not fear even the sun or the wind; the ocean itself trembled at his presence. The gods, filled with fear, beseeched Brahmā to devise a means for Rāvaṇa's destruction. After thoughtful consideration, Brahmā revealed that Rāvaṇa, in his hubris, had declared himself invulnerable to all celestial beings, neglecting to mention humans. Thus, he would be vulnerable to death at the hands of a human, the only means by which he could be vanquished. At that moment, Viṣṇu, the resplendent lord of the universe, appeared, adorned with his conch, discus, and mace, and clad in yellow garments. He descended upon Garuda, shining like the sun breaking through the clouds, and was honored by the assembly of gods. Brahmā and the gathered deities implored Viṣṇu, seeking his intervention for the welfare of the worlds. They appointed him to become the son of King Daśaratha, a ruler known for his righteousness and generosity, and among his three noble wives, who embodied Modesty, Fortune, and Fame, he was to divide himself into four forms. Viṣṇu accepted the divine mission, pledging to take human birth and confront the mighty Rāvaṇa in battle, for he was the one who tormented not only the gods but also the sages, Gandharvas, and Apsaras. The gods recounted the anguish caused by Rāvaṇa’s tyranny, and together they sought refuge in Viṣṇu, the supreme protector of all. With a heart full of resolve, Viṣṇu assured the assembly that he would slay Rāvaṇa along with his kin and allies, thus liberating the worlds from the grip of this terrible Rakshasa. He vowed to dwell among men for a time, fulfilling his promise to restore balance and righteousness, and to bring an end to the suffering of the gods and sages alike. Thus, with the fate of the worlds resting upon his shoulders, Viṣṇu prepared to embark on his divine mission, a harbinger of hope for all who longed for peace and justice.