Then Daśaratha, mighty king,

Made answer thus to Rishyaśring:

“O holy Hermit, of thy grace,

Vouchsafe the increase of my race.”

He spoke; nor was his prayer denied:

The best of Bráhmans thus replied:

“Four sons, O Monarch, shall be thine,

Upholders of thy royal line.”

Canto XIV. Rávan Doomed.