With joy in her heart, the radiant queen—her eyes like lotus petals and her beauty matching a lotus bud—circled the venerable sage in reverence, received his blessings, and returned to her home. There, she gave birth to a son. Yet, her co-wife, driven by jealousy and wishing to destroy the newborn, secretly gave her a potion. The child was thus born together with the effects of that potion, and he became known as Sagara. Sagara grew to be a mighty king, famed for excavating the ocean itself. At the time of a great festival, he performed sacrifices and, with his astonishing speed, struck fear into the hearts of his contemporaries. Sagara’s son was Asamañja, whose misdeeds were so wicked that, while still alive, his own father banished him from the kingdom. Yet from Asamañja’s line came Aṃśumān, celebrated for his heroism. Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, and Dilīpa’s son was the illustrious Bhagīratha. From Bhagīratha was born Kakutstha, whose name brought enduring fame to the Kakutstha dynasty. Kakutstha’s son was Raghu, and it was from Raghu that the noble line of the Raghus drew its name. Raghu’s son was a man of great power and renown, known on earth as Kalmāṣapāda, also called Saudāsa, who was said to be a devourer of men. Kalmāṣapāda’s son was Śaṅkhaṇa, famed for inheriting his father’s strength and for destroying a thousand armies. Śaṅkhaṇa’s son was Sudarśana, a valiant and illustrious man, whose son was Agnivarṇa, and Agnivarṇa’s son was Śīghraga. Śīghraga’s son was Maru, who was succeeded by his son 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, a king of supreme righteousness. Nābhāga had two sons, Aja and Suvrata. From Aja was born the righteous king Daśaratha. And you, Rāma, are Daśaratha’s eldest and rightful heir, renowned throughout the land. Therefore, you are called upon to accept your own kingdom and care for your people, O king. In the noble line of the Ikṣvākus, it has always been the eldest son who is consecrated as king; never does the younger ascend while the elder still lives. You must not violate this ancient law of the Raghus and your own lineage. Rule the earth, rich in jewels and vast in realms, as your illustrious ancestors did before you. Thus concluded the one hundred and tenth chapter of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, the first epic. Having spoken thus to Rāma, the royal priest Vasiṣṭha addressed him again, his words imbued with righteousness. “In this world,” Vasiṣṭha said, “every person has three great elders: the teacher, the father, and the mother, O descendant of Kakutstha. The father gives birth to the man, the teacher imparts wisdom—thus he is called ‘guru.’ I am your father’s teacher and yours as well, O destroyer of foes. By following my words, you will not stray from the path of virtue. “These assemblies, these groups, and the twice-born Brahmins—all uphold righteousness. By following righteousness among them, one remains on the virtuous path. One must never disregard the words of one’s aged and righteous mother; by obeying her, too, one does not err. And by fulfilling the request of Bharata, who pleads with you, O Rāghava, you will remain true to yourself, devoted as you are to truth and righteousness.” When Vasiṣṭha spoke thus, gentle and wise, Rāghava replied to the sage, who sat before him. “Whatever parents do for their child can never be fully repaid,” Rāma said. “No matter how much one gives, how one bathes and clothes them, how kindly one speaks or how well one nurtures—one can only repay them as best as possible. My father is Daśaratha, the king and my progenitor. Whatever command I have received from him, I will not disregard.” Hearing Rāma’s resolve, the noble-hearted Bharata, deeply distressed, turned to the charioteer and said, “Quickly spread out kuśa grass for me here on the ground; I will sit facing my noble brother until he is pleased with me. I will lie here, without food, without light, deprived of wealth, like a twice-born ascetic, before this shelter, until he returns.” Seeing this, Sumitra, filled with sorrow, placed a kuśa mat on the ground, and Bharata himself lay upon it. Rāma, the illustrious royal sage, addressed Bharata: “Why, O Bharata, do you choose to sit in protest as I do? A brāhmaṇa may sit to restrain men, but for one who has been anointed, there is no prescribed sitting in protest. Rise up, O tiger among men, abandon this harsh vow. Swiftly return to Ayodhyā, the foremost city, O Rāghava.” But Bharata remained seated, looking around at the townspeople and countryfolk, and said, “Why do you not instruct my noble brother?” The people replied, “We recognize Kakutstha; Rāghava speaks rightly. He, too, abides by his father’s command. Therefore, we are not able to turn him aside directly.” Hearing these words, Rāma spoke: “Listen, then, to the words of those friends who see with the eye of righteousness. Having heard both sides fully and justly, O mighty-armed one, arise and touch the water with me.” Bharata rose and, together with Rāma, performed the ritual of touching water. Then Bharata addressed the assembly, the counselors, and the guilds, calling them to listen to his words.