Hearing the words spoken before him, King Janaka, with hands joined in reverence, addressed the great-souled sage Viśvāmitra and the two princes, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. He said, “O Brāhmaṇa, this bow before you is no ordinary weapon. It has been honored by the Janaka lineage and by many mighty kings, yet none were able to string it in times past. Not even the hosts of gods, nor the asuras, nor the rākṣasas, nor the foremost of gandharvas, yakṣas, kinnaras, or great serpents—none have succeeded. What, then, is the possibility for men to string this bow, to fit its string, to bend, or even to lift it?” With humility, Janaka continued, “This best of bows has been brought here, O foremost sage. Show it, O blessed one, to these two princes.” Upon hearing Janaka’s words, Viśvāmitra turned to Rāma and said, “My child, Rāma, behold the bow.” At the sage’s command, Rāma went to where the bow was kept. He opened the chest, gazed upon the divine weapon, and declared, “This excellent, divine bow—I will touch it with my hand. I will strive to lift and string it as well.” The king replied, “So be it,” and Viśvāmitra, too, gave his blessing. With effortless ease, Rāma took hold of the bow in the middle, as the sage had instructed. As thousands looked on, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu line and a soul of righteousness, strung the bow as easily as one pours water. Not only did he string the bow, but Rāma drew it back fully—and then, that best of men, famed and illustrious, broke the bow in the middle. The sound that arose was like the crash of thunder, and the earth shook violently, as if a mountain were splitting apart. All the people, stunned by the mighty sound, fell to the ground—except for Viśvāmitra, King Janaka, and the two sons of Raghu. When the people had recovered from their astonishment, King Janaka, his fear gone, spoke with joined palms to the foremost of sages, skilled in speech. “Revered one, I have seen the strength of Rāma, son of Daśaratha. This is truly marvelous, inconceivable, and beyond all expectation. My daughter Sītā, having gained Rāma, son of Daśaratha, as her husband, will bring great fame to the house of Janaka. O Kauśika, my vow is now fulfilled: ‘Sītā is to be won by prowess.’ My daughter, dearer to me than life itself, is to be given to Rāma. “With your consent, O Brāhmaṇa, let my ministers swiftly go, O Kauśika—blessings upon you—to Ayodhyā in fast chariots. Let them bring the king to my city with respectful words and fully tell him of the giving of my daughter, won by prowess. Let them also tell the king about the two sons of Kakutstha, protected by the sage, and with affection, bring the king here with all speed.” Viśvāmitra replied, “So be it.” The righteous King Janaka, having instructed his ministers, sent them to Ayodhyā to report all that had happened and to bring King Daśaratha accordingly. Now begins the sixty-eighth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Janaka’s messengers, as instructed, set out in their weary vehicles. After three nights on the road, they entered the splendid city of Ayodhyā. Following the king’s command, they went straight to the royal palace and beheld the aged King Daśaratha, shining like a god. With hands joined in reverence and free from fear, the messengers addressed the king with respectful and sweet words. They conveyed, “The king of Mithilā, Janaka, accompanied by his sacred fire, again and again inquires after your welfare and enduring prosperity, O great king. Together with his priests and teachers, he sends you his warmest regards. “Having calmly inquired after your well-being, the ruler of Mithilā, Vaideha, with the approval of Kauśika, spoke these words to you: ‘You know of my earlier vow—my daughter would be won by prowess. The kings have tried and failed, growing resentful, their strength found lacking. This daughter of mine, O king, has, by chance, been won by your sons, who came here accompanied by Viśvāmitra and others. That precious, divine bow was broken in the midst of a great assembly by mighty-armed Rāma, the high-souled one. Therefore, I must give Sītā, won by prowess, to this great-souled one. I wish to fulfill my vow—please grant your consent. “‘O great king, together with your priests and teachers, come quickly and safely. You ought to see the two sons of Raghu. O king of kings, you should fulfill my vow; you will gain the affection of both your sons.’ Thus, the lord of Videha, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and in agreement with Śatānanda, spoke these sweet words.” Hearing this message, King Daśaratha was exceedingly delighted. He spoke to Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his ministers, saying, “Protected by the son of Kuśika, Rāma, the joy of Kausalyā, together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, is staying among the Videhas. Having witnessed Rāma’s prowess, the high-souled Janaka wishes to give his daughter to Rāghava. If the conduct of the noble Janaka pleases you, let us go swiftly to his city, so that no time is lost.” The ministers, along with all the great sages, replied, “Certainly.” The pleased king then told his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.