Having resolved upon his divine purpose, Viṣṇu, after conferring with the Grandfather Brahmā, became invisible to all, honored by the assembled gods and great sages. At that very moment, from the sacrificial fire tended by King Daśaratha, there emerged a wondrous being, radiant beyond compare, immense in strength and valor. This extraordinary figure was dark in complexion, clad in red garments, with a red mouth and a voice that resounded like a drum. His body hair and beard shone tawny and glossy, and his hair was splendid to behold. He bore all auspicious marks and was adorned with divine ornaments; his stature rivaled a mountain peak, and his courage was like that of a proud lion. His appearance blazed like the sun, resembling a flaming fire, and in his broad arms he held a vessel of refined gold lined with silver. Within this vessel was divine pāyasa, a celestial porridge, which he held close, as one would a beloved wife, as if the vessel itself were a creation of illusion. Approaching with reverence, King Daśaratha joined his palms and addressed the being, “O Lord, you are welcome! What shall I do for you?” The radiant being, born of the Creator, replied, “O King, by your worship of the gods, you have now obtained this reward. O tiger among men, accept this divine pāyasa, prepared by the gods. It brings forth offspring, is blessed, and increases health. Give it to your worthy wives with the words, ‘Eat this.’ Through them, O King, you shall obtain the sons for whose sake you have performed this sacrifice.” Overjoyed, Daśaratha accepted the golden vessel, bowing his head in gratitude. With the highest reverence, he greeted the wondrous being, circled him respectfully, and was filled with supreme delight, as a poor man who suddenly finds great treasure. Having fulfilled his marvelous and radiant task, the celestial being vanished from sight. The inner chambers of the palace shone with rays of joy, as the autumn sky glows with the beams of the moon. Entering these chambers, Daśaratha approached Kausalyā and said, “Receive this pāyasa, for the sake of obtaining a son for yourself.” He gave half of the pāyasa to Kausalyā, and from that half, he divided another portion and gave it to Sumitrā. For the sake of a son, he gave the remaining half to Kaikeyī, and then, thoughtfully, gave the last share, like nectar, once again to Sumitrā. Thus, reflecting wisely, the king distributed the pāyasa separately among his wives. Having received the divine pāyasa in this way, all the king’s noble wives felt honored, their hearts swelling with great joy. They partook of the excellent pāyasa, each separately, and soon conceived, their radiance now equal to fire and the sun. Seeing his wives pregnant, Daśaratha’s heart was filled with peace, and he rejoiced like Indra in heaven, honored by gods, perfected beings, and sages. Now, listen to the seventeenth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When Viṣṇu had entered the state of being a son to the great-souled king, the self-born Lord addressed all the gods: “For this truthful and heroic king, who seeks the welfare of us all, create powerful helpers for Viṣṇu, able to assume any form. Let them be masters of illusion, valiant, swift as the wind, skilled in policy, endowed with intelligence, and equal to Viṣṇu in valor. Endowed with irresistible strength, invincible, and possessing divine forms, let them be fully equipped with all the qualities of celestial weapons, as if they had partaken of ambrosia.” The Lord continued, “Among the foremost of Apsarases, in the bodies of Gandharva women, in the daughters of Yakṣas and Nāgas, and among the Rikṣa and Vidyādhari women, and in the bodies of Kinnarī women, as well as those of Vānara females, you shall create sons in the form of monkeys, equal in might. Already before, I created Jāmbavan, the foremost of bears, who was suddenly born from my own yawn.” Thus instructed, the gods promised to obey. They, along with great sages, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Nāgas, and Cāraṇas, begot heroic sons in the forms of monkeys—dwellers of the forest. Indra fathered Vāli, lord of the monkeys, equal to Mahendra himself in might. The Sun, best among the shining ones, begot Sugrīva. Bṛhaspati begot Tārā, the wisest and most excellent among the chief monkeys. The illustrious Gandhamādana was the son of Kubera, and Viśvakarma begot Nala, the great monkey. Nīla, son of Agni, shone with a radiance like fire, surpassing all others in energy, fame, and valor. The Ashvins, renowned for beauty and wealth, begot Mainda and Dvivida, both esteemed for their appearance. Varuṇa begot Sushena, and Parjanya, of great might, begot Sharabha. Hanumān, the illustrious son of Vāyu, was born with a body firm as a thunderbolt and in speed equaling Garuḍa. These heroes, of immeasurable strength and valor, able to assume forms at will, were as mighty as elephants and mountains, possessing great power and splendid bodies. Thus, the stage was set for the divine play to unfold upon earth.