When the great horse sacrifice was finally completed, the gods received their due offerings and departed, just as they had arrived. King Daśaratha, having fulfilled all his vows and sacred rituals, returned to his city accompanied by his queens, his loyal servants, his mighty army, and splendid vehicles. The assembled rulers of the earth, having been duly honored by the king, joyfully took their leave. Bowing respectfully to the eminent sage, they set out for their own kingdoms, their hearts uplifted. As these illustrious kings journeyed home, their radiant armies, filled with delight, shone brilliantly on the roads. Once the lords of the earth had departed, Daśaratha himself, resplendent in his joy, entered his city at the head of the foremost among the twice-born. The sage Ṛśyaśṛṅga, greatly honored by the king, also took his leave, departing with his wife Śāntā and their retinue, released with gratitude by the wise monarch. With all his guests and counselors thus dismissed, King Daśaratha, his heart fulfilled, remained in Ayodhyā, joyfully contemplating the hope of a son. After the completion of the sacrifice, six full seasons passed. Then, in the twelfth month, on the ninth day of Caitra, as the auspicious star Punarvasu—presided over by Aditi—rose in the heavens, and five planets occupied their exalted stations, with Jupiter and the Moon together in Cancer at the ascendant, a divine event took place. As the all-honored Lord of the Universe was rising, Queen Kausalyā gave birth to Rāma, a son endowed with every divine mark. He was half of Viṣṇu incarnate, radiant with glory, the delight of the Ikṣvāku dynasty. His eyes were red, his arms mighty, his lips crimson, and his voice resounded like a drum. Kausalyā shone with her son of immeasurable splendor, just as Aditi once glowed with Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, among the gods. To Queen Kaikeyī was born Bharata, steadfast in truth and valor, a fourth part of Viṣṇu and endowed with every virtue. Then, Sumitrā gave birth to two sons—Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna—both heroes skilled in all weapons, each possessing half the power of Viṣṇu. Bharata, serene of mind, was born under the star Puṣya, with Pisces rising; while Sumitrā’s sons were born under the star Āśleṣā, with Cancer at the ascendant, as the sun was rising. Thus, the king’s four sons, all great-souled, were born one after another, each possessing noble virtues and radiant beauty, comparable to the twin stars Proṣṭhapada. At this wondrous birth, the Gandharvas sang sweet melodies, the Apsarases danced in delight, divine drums resounded across the heavens, and showers of flowers rained down from the sky. The jewel-adorned halls of the palace echoed with harmonious singing and the music of many instruments, resounding splendidly in celebration. King Daśaratha bestowed generous gifts upon bards, genealogists, and panegyrists, and to the Brāhmaṇas he gave wealth and thousands of cows. After eleven days had passed, he performed the naming ceremony for his sons: the eldest, the great-souled Rāma, and Bharata, son of Kaikeyī. The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, filled with supreme joy, named Sumitrā’s sons as Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. The king ensured that the Brāhmaṇas, as well as the citizens and people of the land, were sumptuously fed, and he gave the Brāhmaṇas a great abundance of precious gems. He performed all the rites of birth and other ceremonies for his sons. Among them, Rāma, the eldest, stood out like a banner, bringing immense delight to his father. King Daśaratha once again became esteemed among all beings, like Svayambhū himself. All his sons were learned in the Vedas, heroic, and devoted to the welfare of the world. Each was adorned with knowledge and virtue, but among them, Rāma shone with special splendor, steadfast in truth and valor. Beloved by all, pure as the moon, Rāma excelled in riding elephants, horses, and driving chariots. He was devoted to the science of archery and eager to serve his father. From childhood, Lakṣmaṇa, ever increasing in fortune, was exceedingly affectionate—always devoted to Rāma, his elder brother and the delight of the world. Lakṣmaṇa brought joy to all, and even to Rāma himself. Lakṣmaṇa was like Rāma’s very life-breath, never sleeping without him. When delicious food was brought, he would not eat unless Rāma did. Whenever Rāghava mounted a horse to go hunting, Lakṣmaṇa would follow behind, armed with his bow, always protecting him. In the same way, for Bharata, Śatrughna—Lakṣmaṇa’s younger brother—was just as devoted. Each brother was dearer to the other than life itself, and all four cherished their father Daśaratha, who was supremely delighted, like the Grandfather of the gods himself. All his sons were endowed with knowledge, adorned with virtues, modest, renowned, omniscient, and farsighted. They shone with radiance and power, devoted to Vedic study and the service of their father, and skilled in the science of archery. As his sons grew, King Daśaratha began to consider their marriage rites. Together with his teachers and relatives, he pondered this matter. While he was in counsel with his ministers, the great sage Viśvāmitra, of immense splendor, arrived at the gates of the palace, desiring an audience with the king. He instructed the doorkeepers to quickly announce the arrival of Kauśika, son of Gādhi. The attendants, their minds stirred by this command, hastened to the royal palace where the sage Viśvāmitra awaited.