Shanta And Rishyasringa Arrive At Ayodhya

Sanatkumara had predicted in DevaYuga itself that it was not his purohitas, but his own son-in-law,
husband of Shanta who was given away in adoption to the king of AngaDesha, Rishyasringa who would officiate the AshwamedhaYaga that Dasharatha was going to perform to beget children.
Rishyasringa has been brought out of the forest, he has married, and is staying in the palace of Romapada the AngaRaja.
Sumantra is telling all these to Dasharatha.
Sumantra says, ‘Sanatkumara had predicted not just these, also what is going to happen hereafter.’
‘Your majesty , you would go to Romapada and say that I don't have children.’
‘Shanta's husband can help me.’
‘He should officiate the AshwamedhaYaga that I am planning to conduct.’
‘He should conduct the yaga.’
As a result of the yaga, children should be born to Dasharatha.
And because of that, he should get a place in SwargaLoka.
Four sons will be born to Dasharatha, they will be very courageous and famous and also they will continue the lineage.
Now, you should tell this yourself to Vasishta and get his permission.
Dashratha got Vasishta’s permission.
And along with the queens and ministers proceeded towards AngaDesha.
Romapada welcomed Dasharathawith all formalities.
Dashratha was a good long time friend.
Not only that, there was this obligation that he was Shanta's father.
Dasharatha was kind enough to give Shanta to him in adoption.
There Rishyasringa was also there, as brilliant as fire.
Romapada introduced Dasharatha to him.
Dasharatha and his retinue stayed there for seven, eight days.
Then Dasharatha told Romapada, ‘Please send Shanta along with her husband to Ayodhya
for conducting the yoga.’
Rishyasringa is the one who would conduct the yaga.
But Dasharatha's relationship with him is through Shanta.
Even to Romapada is through Shanta.
That’s why he says, ‘Send Shanta along with her husband.’
Romapada told Rishyasringa to do so, and he agreed.
Then the two kings hugged each other and they all left towards Ayodhya.
Messengers were sent ahead to keep Ayodhya decorated and ready to receive Rishyasringa.
They all reached Ayodhya.
Everyone was excited. all the residents of Ayodhya were excited.
Dasharatha formally welcomed Rishyasringa.
Thus far everything was happening as Sanatkumara had predicted.
Dasharatha was satisfied.
In the AntahPura, the ladies were also excited to see Shanta having come with her husband for the first time.
She stayed there along with her husband happily for some time.
See, in this entire episode of getting Rishyasringa to Ayodhya the focus is on Shanta - ‘Shanta's husband’,
‘Please send Shanta with her husband’, ‘the ladies were happy to see Shanta with her husband’, ‘Shanta stayed with her husband’.
Had Shanta been just a friend's daughter, why Valmiki would have made Shanta the main character here?
Rather the Sage would have made Rishyasringa the main character because he is going to be the acharya.
Shanta is just his wife.
There would be hardly any mention even of her.
Like how we saw in the earlier episode.
Some people are confused that there is no connection between Shanta and Dasharatha.
It's clear, the wayValmiki has presented Shanta in these sargas, it is clear.
And also from the Gaudiya, Paschima, and Udeechya pathas of Ramayana where it is clearly mentioned that Dasharatha was the biological father of Shanta, and also Srimad Bhagawata.