Understanding the situation deeply and guided by unwavering resolve, the Brahmins, steadfast in their practice of righteousness, remained ever watchful, aspiring to attain the world beyond. Rāma, however, condemned the act of his father, who had accepted someone whose mind was inclined toward wrong views. He declared that such understanding was truly atheistic and a deviation from the path of righteousness. Rāma compared the mind of an atheist to that of a thief, stating that atheism is no different from such a state, and that among all people, the atheist is the most suspect; the wise should never associate with them. Rāma reminded the Brahmins that those who came before, even greater than them, had performed many auspicious deeds, conquering both this world and the next. Therefore, offerings and sacrifices are indeed auspicious. He described the sages devoted to righteousness, united with noble people, radiant in generosity and virtue, non-violent and unstained, as those honored in the world as foremost. When Rāma spoke these words, angered yet steadfast and noble, the Brahmin replied gently, speaking truthfully and faithfully. He assured Rāma, “I do not speak the words of atheists; I am not an atheist, nor is there nothing at all. Depending on the time, I have been faithful, and at other times, I might have been an atheist. Now, as I have spoken words of atheism, it was only to turn you back and win your favor.” Thus ended the one hundred and ninth sarga in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Seeing Rāma’s anger, the sage Vasiṣṭha spoke to him, explaining that Jābāli too knew the cycles of this world, and had spoken those words only in an effort to turn Rāma back. Vasiṣṭha then invited Rāma to listen to the origin of the world. He began: “In the beginning, there was only water, from which the earth was formed. Then Brahmā, the self-born, arose with the gods. Taking the form of a boar, Brahmā lifted up the earth. Eternal, imperishable, and self-existent, Brahmā, born from the sky, created the entire world along with his self-controlled sons. From Brahmā was born Marīci, and from Marīci, his son Kāśyapa. From Kāśyapa came Vivasvān, and from Vivasvān, Manu, the ancient lord of creatures. Manu’s son was Ikṣvāku. This prosperous earth was first given by Manu to his son Ikṣvāku, the earliest king of Ayodhyā. Ikṣvāku’s renowned son was Kukṣi; from Kukṣi came the heroic Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi arose the mighty and valorous Bāṇa, and from Bāṇa, the great-armed and famous Anaraṇya was born. During Anaraṇya’s reign, there was neither irregular rainfall nor famine, and not a single thief among the virtuous. From Anaraṇya was born the mighty-armed king Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu, the great king Triśaṅku, who, because of his truthfulness, ascended to heaven in his own body. Triśaṅku’s son was the illustrious Dhundhumāra, and from him came the mighty Yuvanāśva. Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātṛ, and from Māndhātṛ, the mighty Susandhi was born. Susandhi had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From the renowned Dhruvasandhi was born Bharata, destroyer of enemies. From Bharata, the mighty-armed, came Asita. Against Asita arose rival kings—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the valiant Śaśibindus. Having resisted all of them in battle, Asita was exiled and lived devotedly as a sage in the chief of mountains. It is said he had two wives, both pregnant. One, wishing to destroy the other’s child, gave her a potion for miscarriage. A Bhārgava sage named Cyavana, residing on Mount Himavat, was approached and respectfully greeted by Kālindī. Seeing her desire for a son, Cyavana blessed her: “O lady, you will have a son, a great soul, renowned in the world, righteous, virtuous, founder of a lineage, and destroyer of foes.” Joyfully, she circled the sage and received his blessing. With eyes like lotus petals and a radiance matching a lotus bud, she returned home and gave birth to a son. Yet, the co-wife, wishing to destroy her rival’s child, gave her a potion; together with that potion, the child was born and became Sagara. Sagara, the king, excavated the ocean, terrifying people with his speed after performing sacrifices at the festival. Sagara’s son was Asamañja, who, for committing wicked deeds, was expelled by his father while still alive. Asamañja’s son was Aṃśumān, renowned for his valor. Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, and Dilīpa’s son was Bhagīratha. From Bhagīratha came Kakutstha, by whom the Kakutstha lineage became famous. Kakutstha’s son was Raghu, from whom the Raghus are named. Raghu’s son was powerful, renowned, and a devourer of men; he is known on earth as Kalmāṣapāda, Saudāsa. Kalmāṣapāda’s son was Śaṅkhaṇa, who, having acquired his father’s strength, destroyed a thousand armies. Śaṅkhaṇa’s son was Sudarśana, a valiant and illustrious man. Sudarśana’s son was Agnivarṇa, and Agnivarṇa’s son was Śīghraga. Śīghraga’s son was Maru, Maru’s son was Praśuśruka, and Praśuśruka’s son was Ambarīṣa, radiant with great splendor. Ambarīṣa’s son was Nahuṣa, steadfast in truth and valor. Nahuṣa’s son was Nābhāga, supremely righteous. Nābhāga had two sons, Aja and Suvrata; and Aja’s son was the righteous king Daśaratha. Thus, Vasiṣṭha traced the lineage and origin of the world and the noble kings, culminating with Daśaratha, father of Rāma, establishing the sacred succession and the enduring righteousness of the royal line.