Having fulfilled his vows and completed the sacred rituals, King Daśaratha, accompanied by his wives, entered the city with his retinue, army, and chariots. The lords of the earth, honored by the king, departed joyfully to their own realms after respectfully bowing to the eminent sage. As these illustrious kings returned to their cities, their splendid armies, radiant with delight, shone brightly on the roads. When the rulers had gone, King Daśaratha, resplendent and foremost among the twice-born, entered his city. Ṛśyaśṛṅga, greatly honored, departed together with Śāntā and his retinue, not detained by the wise king. Having thus dismissed them all, Daśaratha, his heart fulfilled, remained joyfully in his city, contemplating the birth of a son. After the completion of the sacrifice, six seasons passed. Then, in the twelfth month, on the ninth day of Caitra, when the star Punarvasu—presided over by Aditi—was ascendant, and five planets were in their exalted positions, with Jupiter and the Moon together in Cancer at the ascendant, the all-honored Lord of the Universe was rising. At that auspicious moment, Kausalyā gave birth to Rāma, endowed with divine marks. Rāma was half of Viṣṇu, greatly glorious, the joy of the Ikṣvāku line, with red eyes, mighty arms, red lips, and a voice like a drum. Kausalyā shone with her son of immeasurable splendor, just as Aditi shone with Indra among the gods. Bharata, steadfast in truth and valor, was born to Kaikeyī, being a fourth part of Viṣṇu and endowed with all virtues. Then Sumitrā gave birth to two sons, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, heroes skilled in all weapons, each possessing half the power of Viṣṇu. Bharata, of serene mind, was born under the star Puṣya, with Pisces as the ascendant; the sons of Sumitrā were born under the star Āśleṣā, with Cancer as the ascendant, as the sun was rising. The king’s four sons, great-souled and born separately, each possessed virtues and fitting form, their beauty likened to the twin stars Proṣṭhapada. On that joyous occasion, Gandharvas sang sweetly, groups of Apsarases danced, divine drums resounded, and a shower of flowers fell from the sky. Melodious singing and harmonious instruments filled the vast, jewel-adorned halls with splendid sound. King Daśaratha gave gifts to bards, genealogists, and panegyrists; 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, the son of Kaikeyī. Vasiṣṭha, filled with supreme joy, named Sumitrā’s sons as Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. The king had the Brāhmaṇas, citizens, and people of the land fed, and he gifted 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, was like a banner, bringing delight to his father. Once more, Daśaratha was esteemed among beings, like Svayambhū; all his sons were learned in the Vedas, heroic, and devoted to the welfare of the world. They were adorned with knowledge and virtues, yet among them, Rāma, of great splendor, was steadfast in truth and valor. Beloved by all, pure as the moon, he excelled in riding elephants, horses, and chariot-driving. Rāma was devoted to the science of archery and eager to serve his father. From childhood, Lakṣmaṇa, ever increasing in fortune, was exceedingly affectionate. Lakṣmaṇa was always devoted to Rāma, the delight of the world and his elder brother, bringing joy to all, and even to Rāma himself. Lakṣmaṇa, endowed with prosperity, was like an external vital breath; and Rāma could not sleep without him. When delicious food was brought, Lakṣmaṇa would not eat unless Rāma was present; whenever Rāma mounted a horse to go hunting, Lakṣmaṇa would follow behind, armed with a bow, protecting him. For Bharata, Śatrughna, Lakṣmaṇa’s younger brother, did the same. Śatrughna was always dearer to Bharata than life itself, and likewise beloved. Thus, Daśaratha was cherished by his four illustrious sons, and he became supremely delighted, like the Grandfather among the gods. All his sons were endowed with knowledge and virtues, modest, renowned, omniscient, and farsighted. Among them, all were radiant and powerful. Their father Daśaratha rejoiced, like Brahmā, lord of the worlds. Those tiger-like men were devoted to Vedic study, to serving their father, and established in the science of archery. Then King Daśaratha began to consider their marriage rites. That righteous king, together with his teachers and relatives, pondered the matter. As he was thinking among his ministers, the great sage Viśvāmitra, of immense splendor, arrived, desiring an audience with the king. He spoke to the gatekeepers, commanding, “Quickly announce to me the arrival of Kauśika, the son of Gādhi.” Hearing that command, the attendants rushed to the king’s palace. Their minds agitated by these words, they approached the royal palace where the sage Viśvāmitra was present. They informed the king of the Ikṣvāku line that Viśvāmitra had arrived. Hearing their words, the king, along with his priests, became attentive, preparing to welcome the great sage.