The Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Yakshas, along with all celestial beings, sought shelter in Vishnu, recognizing him as the supreme refuge. They implored him, the subduer of foes, to turn his mind toward the destruction of the enemies of both gods and men in this world. Thus praised, Vishnu—the lord of the gods, foremost among immortals, honored by all the worlds with Brahma at their head—addressed the assembled gods, who were devoted to righteousness. He spoke words of assurance: “Abandon fear, may good be yours. For your welfare, I will slay Ravana in battle—together with his sons, grandsons, ministers, counselors, kin, and allies.” Vishnu promised that, having slain this cruel and formidable terror of gods and sages, he would dwell among men for ten thousand and one thousand years, protecting the earth during that time. Thus, granting this boon, the self-possessed Vishnu spoke to the gods. Then, considering his own place of birth among humans, the lotus-eyed one divided himself into four forms. At that moment, he chose King Dasharatha as his father. The gods, sages, Gandharvas, Rudras, and hosts of Apsaras praised Madhusudana with hymns of divine form, beseeching him to remove the arrogant Ravana, fierce in energy and swollen with pride, a hater of the lords of the gods, roaring and a thorn to ascetics. They pleaded: “Remove that terror, O savior of ascetics.” They urged Vishnu: “Having slain that roaring Ravana, fierce in valor, along with his forces and kin, come to the heavenly world, freed from all distress, guarded by Indra, and cleansed of all fault and sin.” Meanwhile, King Dasharatha, holding a divine vessel filled with celestial porridge close to his heart like a beloved wife, grasped it with his broad arms, as if it were a creation of illusion. At this time, Narayana Vishnu, appointed by the foremost of the gods, though already knowing, spoke gentle words to the gods: “O gods, what is the means for the destruction of that lord of the Rakshasas? By which I, adopting that means, might slay the tormentor of sages?” The gods replied to the imperishable Vishnu: “Assume a human form and slay Ravana in battle.” They explained that Ravana, the subduer of enemies, had performed intense austerities for a long time, pleasing Brahma, the creator of the worlds. Satisfied, the Lord granted Ravana a boon: that he would have no fear from any being of various kinds, except from humans. Ravana had disregarded humans at the time of receiving the boon, and thus, made proud by the Grandfather’s gift, he became arrogant. He began to destroy the three worlds and even seized women; therefore, his death was destined to come from humans. Hearing these words, Vishnu, self-possessed, chose King Dasharatha as his father. King Dasharatha, of great splendor, was childless at the time. Desiring a son, the destroyer of enemies performed the sacrifice for offspring. Having made his decision, Vishnu, after consulting with the Grandfather, vanished from sight, honored by the gods and great sages. Then, from the sacrificial fire of the performer of the rite, there appeared a great being of incomparable brilliance, immense strength, and valor. He was dark, clothed in red garments, with a red mouth, resounding like a drum; his body hair and beard were glossy and tawny, and his hair was splendid. Endowed with auspicious marks and adorned with divine ornaments, he stood as tall as a mountain peak, possessing the valor of a proud lion. With the appearance of the sun, resembling a blazing flame, he held a vessel made of refined gold with a silver lining, filled with divine porridge. The vessel was held close like a beloved wife, grasped with broad arms, as if it were a creation of illusion. King Dasharatha, with joined palms, addressed him: “O Lord, you are welcome! What shall I do for you?” The being born of the Creator spoke again: “O King, by worshipping the gods, you have now obtained this. O tiger among men, take this divine pāyasa, made by the gods, which brings forth offspring, is blessed, and increases health. Give it to your worthy wives, saying, ‘Eat this.’ Through them, O king, you shall obtain sons for whose sake you are performing this sacrifice.” The king, pleased, accepted with bowed head the golden vessel filled with divine food, given by the gods. He respectfully greeted that wondrous, marvelous, and pleasing being, and, filled with the highest joy, walked around him in reverence. Having received the pāyasa made by the gods, Dasharatha was supremely delighted, like a poor man who has found wealth. After accomplishing that wondrous and radiant task, the being, renowned for its marvel, vanished right there. The inner chambers shone with rays of joy, as the beautiful autumn sky shines with the beams of the moon. Entering the inner chambers, Dasharatha said to Kausalya: “Receive this pāyasa, for the sake of obtaining a son for yourself.” The king gave half of the pāyasa to Kausalya, and from that half, he gave a further half to Sumitra. For the sake of obtaining a son, he gave the remaining half to Kaikeyi, and again gave the last portion of the pāyasa, like nectar, to Sumitra. Reflecting, the wise king again gave Sumitra a share; thus the king gave the pāyasa separately to his wives. Having received the pāyasa in this way, all the king’s noble wives felt honored, their hearts filled with great joy.