Janaka, the noble king of Mithilā, spoke to the great sage Kauśika and to King Daśaratha, saying, “So be it.” At the sage’s word, Rāma, with effortless ease, took hold of the mighty bow in its center. As thousands of people watched in awe, Rāma—the delight of the Raghu lineage and a soul of perfect righteousness—strung the bow as simply as water flows. Having strung it, he drew the bow fully, and then, that illustrious and famed son of Daśaratha broke it in the middle. A tremendous sound burst forth, like the crash of thunder, shaking the earth violently as if a mountain had split apart. All those gathered were stunned by the deafening sound and fell down in shock—except for the great sage, the king, and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the two sons of Raghu. When the people recovered, King Janaka, his fear dispelled, spoke with joined palms to the foremost of sages, Kauśika, whose speech was skilled and wise. “Revered one, I have witnessed the strength of Rāma, son of Daśaratha; this is truly marvelous, inconceivable, and far beyond my expectation. My daughter Sītā, having gained Rāma as her husband, will bring great fame to the house of Janaka. O Kauśika, my vow is fulfilled: ‘Sītā is to be won by prowess.’ My daughter, dearer than life itself, is to be given to Rāma. With your consent, O Brāhmaṇa, let my ministers swiftly go to Ayodhyā in fast chariots. Let them bring King Daśaratha to my city with respectful words, and fully tell him of the giving of my daughter, won by prowess. Let them also tell him of his two sons, protected by the sage, and bring him here with affection and all speed.” Kauśika replied, “So be it.” Janaka, the righteous king, instructed his ministers, sending 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, whose vehicles were weary from travel, spent three nights on the road and finally entered the city of Ayodhyā. Following the king’s command, they entered the royal palace and saw the aged King Daśaratha, shining like a god. With joined palms, free from fear and full of reverence, the messengers addressed the king with respectful and sweet words: “The king of Mithilā, Janaka, accompanied by his sacred fire, sends you greetings again and again with affection-filled speech. Together with his priests and teachers, he first inquires about your welfare and unchanging prosperity, O great king. Having calmly asked after your well-being, the ruler of Mithilā, Vaideha, with the approval of Kauśika, speaks these words: You know of my earlier vow: my daughter would be won by prowess. The kings, having failed and grown resentful, have been turned away, 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 and spoke to Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his ministers: “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 and all the great sages replied, “Certainly.” The pleased king then told his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” The king’s ministers, honored greatly, spent the night there, all delighted and endowed with every virtue. Now begins the sixty-ninth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. When the night had passed, King Daśaratha, joyful, together with his teachers and relatives, spoke to Sumantra: “Today, let all the treasurers, bringing abundant wealth adorned with various precious gems, proceed ahead, well-prepared. Let the fourfold army quickly set out in full, and at my command, have the finest chariot yoked without delay. Let Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, and the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, as well as Kātyāyana, be present. Let these Brāhmaṇas go ahead, and yoke my chariot, so that there is no delay, for the messengers are urging me.” By the king’s order, the fourfold army followed behind, as King Daśaratha set out together with the sages, eager to reach Mithilā and fulfill the sacred vow.