When the time came for the gods and celestial beings to receive their offerings, the heavens filled with a brilliant assembly. The gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and eminent sages all gathered in accordance with sacred rites, their presence resplendent and purposeful. As they convened, the deities, bound by a shared anxiety, turned to Brahmā, the creator of the worlds, and addressed him with reverence. “O Lord,” they began, “by your grace, a Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa has grown so powerful that he oppresses us all. None of us are able to restrain him. Out of affection, you granted him a boon, and honoring your word, we have submitted to his will, enduring all manner of hardship at his hands. This wicked-minded one agitates the three worlds, scorns them, and even seeks to violate Indra himself, king of the gods. He transgresses against sages, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Brāhmaṇas, and Asuras alike, emboldened by your boon and swollen with arrogance. The sun does not burn him, the wind does not blow near him, and even the ocean, upon seeing him, ceases to stir its waves. Because of him, O Lord, a great fear has fallen upon us all. We beseech you: devise a way for his destruction.” Listening intently to their plea, Brahmā pondered deeply and then spoke, “The means for the destruction of that evil one is now known. When Rāvaṇa requested his boon, he declared himself invulnerable to Gandharvas, Yakṣas, gods, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas, and I confirmed it. But, in his pride, he did not mention humans. Therefore, he is vulnerable to death at the hands of a human—no other being can bring about his end.” As these words were spoken, a radiant presence filled the assembly. Viṣṇu, resplendent in yellow garments, holding conch, discus, and mace, arrived upon Garuda, gleaming like the sun on a rain-filled cloud. Adorned with golden armlets, he was praised by the foremost of the gods. Brahmā himself stood before him, mind focused, while all the gods bowed low, extolling Viṣṇu and addressing him with hope. “O Viṣṇu,” they entreated, “for the welfare of the worlds, we appoint you to become the son of King Daśaratha, lord of Ayodhya. Daśaratha is righteous, generous, and as brilliant as the great sages. His three wives are as virtuous as Modesty, Fortune, and Fame themselves. O Viṣṇu, we ask that you become his son, dividing yourself into four forms. Take human birth and destroy the great scourge of the worlds—Rāvaṇa—who cannot be slain by gods, but who torments gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and the best of sages. That foolish Rākṣasa, in his excess of power, oppresses the sages, Gandharvas, and Apsaras. In the Nandana grove, he struck down those who dwelled there with his cruelty. For his destruction, we have gathered here with the sages. The Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Yakṣas have all sought refuge in you, O supreme refuge, subduer of foes. Turn your mind, O god, to the destruction of the enemies of gods and men.” Thus praised and entreated by all, with Brahmā at their head, Viṣṇu, honored by the assembled worlds, spoke to the gods, who were devoted to righteousness. “Abandon your fear and be at peace. For your welfare, I will slay Rāvaṇa in battle—together with his sons, grandsons, ministers, counselors, kin, and allies. Having destroyed that cruel terror of gods and sages, I shall dwell among men for eleven thousand years, protecting the earth for that time. This I grant you as a boon.” With his resolve set, the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu contemplated his birth among men, and divided himself into four forms. He chose King Daśaratha as his father, and in that moment, the gods, sages, Gandharvas, Rudras, and hosts of Apsaras praised Madhusudana with hymns glorifying his divine form. They prayed for the removal of Rāvaṇa, the arrogant and fierce oppressor of ascetics, and yearned for deliverance from his terror. “Having slain that roaring Rāvaṇa and his forces, come to the heavenly world, freed from all distress, guarded by Indra, cleansed of all fault and sin,” they said. Meanwhile, the sacred preparations for Daśaratha’s sacrifice were underway. The divine vessel was filled with celestial porridge, and the king, holding it close with his broad arms as tenderly as a beloved wife, grasped it himself, as if it were a creation of illusion. At this time, Nārāyaṇa Viṣṇu, though all-knowing, spoke gentle words to the gods. “O gods, what is the means for the destruction of that lord of the Rākṣasas? By what method shall I, adopting it, slay the tormentor of sages?” The gods replied, “Assume a human form and slay Rāvaṇa in battle. For he performed intense austerities for a long time, by which Brahmā, the ancient creator, was pleased. Satisfied, the Lord granted him a boon that he would have no fear from any being except humans. Disregarding humans at the time, he became arrogant, and now destroys the three worlds and even seizes women. Therefore, his death is destined to come from humans, O scorcher of foes.” Hearing these words, Viṣṇu, self-possessed and resolute, chose King Daśaratha as his father. At that time, Daśaratha, though of great splendor, was childless; desiring a son, the king performed a sacrifice for offspring, setting in motion the events that would bring the divine to earth and deliver the worlds from Rāvaṇa’s tyranny.