During the reign of the great king Anaraṇya, the land flourished with harmony and abundance. The rains fell gently and in due season, bringing forth crops and prosperity; famine was unknown, and not a single thief disturbed the peace among the virtuous citizens. From Anaraṇya was born Pṛthu, a mighty-armed ruler, and from Pṛthu came Triśaṅku, the illustrious king. Triśaṅku was a hero so steadfast in truthfulness that he ascended to heaven in his own body. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his strength, and from Dhundhumāra came Yuvanāśva, another mighty king. Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātṛ, renowned for his virtue, and Māndhātṛ’s son was Susandhi, powerful and upright. Susandhi fathered two sons, Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi was born Bharata, a destroyer of enemies, celebrated for his prowess. Bharata, mighty-armed, had a son named Asita. Against Asita, rival kings—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the valiant Śaśibindus—rose up in opposition. Asita resisted them all in battle, but ultimately was exiled and took refuge as a devoted sage in the beautiful chief of mountains. It is said Asita had two wives, both bearing children. One, driven by jealousy, sought to destroy the other’s child and gave her a potion intended to cause miscarriage. At that time, a Bhārgava sage named Cyavana dwelt on Mount Himavat. Kālindī, one of Asita’s wives, approached him respectfully, seeking a blessing for a son. The sage, perceiving her longing, spoke words of assurance: “O lady, you shall bear a son—a great soul, renowned in the world, righteous and virtuous, founder of a lineage, and destroyer of foes.” Filled with joy, Kālindī circled the sage and received his blessing. Her eyes shone like lotus petals and her radiance matched the budding lotus. She returned home and gave birth to a son. However, the co-wife, still intent on harm, administered her potion; yet, together with that potion, the child was born and he was named Sagara. King Sagara became famed for excavating the ocean and for his swift deeds, which struck terror among people during festival sacrifices. His son was Asamañja, who, due to wicked acts, was expelled from the kingdom by his father while still alive. Asamañja’s son was Aṃśumān, renowned for valor; Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, and Dilīpa’s son was Bhagīratha. From Bhagīratha came Kakutstha, whose name brought fame to the Kakutstha lineage. Kakutstha’s son was Raghu, and from Raghu the Raghus took their name. Raghu’s son was powerful and renowned, known as Kalmāṣapāda, Saudāsa, a devourer of men. Kalmāṣapāda’s son was Śaṅkhaṇa, who inherited his father’s strength and destroyed a thousand armies. Śaṅkhaṇa’s son was Sudarśana, valiant and illustrious. Sudarśana’s son was Agnivarṇa, and Agnivarṇa’s son was Śīghraga. Śīghraga’s son was Maru, and Maru’s son was Praśuśruka. 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; Aja’s son was the righteous king Daśaratha. You, Rāma, are Daśaratha’s eldest and heir, renowned throughout the land. Therefore, accept your own kingdom and care for the people, O king. Among all the Ikṣvākus, it is the eldest who ascends the throne; when an elder exists, the younger son is not consecrated as king. You must not violate the ancient law of the Raghus and your own lineage today. Rule the earth, rich in jewels and vast in realms, as your illustrious ancestors did. Thus ends the one hundred and tenth chapter of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, the first epic. Then, Vasiṣṭha, the royal priest, having spoken to Rāma, addressed him again with words filled with righteousness. He reminded Rāma that, for anyone born in this world, there are three elders to revere: the teacher, the father, and the mother. The father gives birth to the man, O best of men; the teacher imparts wisdom, and therefore is called ‘guru.’ Vasiṣṭha declared, “Thus, I am your father’s teacher and yours as well, O destroyer of foes. By following my words, you will not deviate from the path of the virtuous. Indeed, these assemblies, these groups, and the twice-born as well, O dear one—by following righteousness among them, one does not depart from the virtuous path. One should not disregard the words of one’s aged and righteous mother; by obeying her command, one remains true to virtue. By fulfilling the request of Bharata, who is pleading, O Rāghava, you do not depart from your own self, devoted as you are to truth and righteousness.” When Vasiṣṭha had spoken sweetly, Rāghava himself replied to the seated sage, the best among men. He said, “Whatever parents do for their child can never be fully repaid; what is done by mother and father cannot be compensated. By giving as much as one is able, by bathing and clothing, by always speaking kindly, and by nurturing, one repays them as best as possible. Daśaratha is my father, the king and my progenitor; whatever command of his I have received will not be disregarded by me.” When Rāma had spoken thus, Bharata, noble-hearted and deeply distressed, immediately addressed the charioteer. “Quickly spread out kuśa grass for me here on the ground, O charioteer; I will sit facing my noble brother until he is pleased with me. Without food, without light, deprived of wealth like a twice-born, I will lie before the shelter until he returns.