When the people had recovered from the astonishment of the great event, King Janaka, his fears dispelled, approached the foremost of sages, Kauśika—Viśvāmitra—his palms joined in reverence. With humility and awe, Janaka addressed the sage, saying, “Revered one, I have witnessed the strength of Rāma, son of Daśaratha. What I have seen is truly marvelous, inconceivable, and far beyond anything I could have anticipated. My daughter Sītā, having gained Rāma as her husband, will surely bring lasting fame to the house of Janaka.” Janaka continued, “O Kauśika, my vow is now fulfilled: Sītā is to be won by prowess. My daughter, dearer to me than life itself, shall be given to Rāma. With your consent, O Brāhmaṇa, let my ministers swiftly depart in fast chariots to Ayodhyā. Blessings upon you, Kauśika. Let them bring King Daśaratha to my city with respectful words, and fully inform him of the giving of my daughter, won by valor. Let them also tell him about the two sons of Kakutstha, who are protected by the sage, and with affection, bring the king here with all speed.” Viśvāmitra replied, “So be it.” With his approval, the righteous King Janaka instructed his ministers, who then set out for 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, following his instructions, pressed onward in their weary vehicles, and after three nights on the road, they entered the city of Ayodhyā. Obeying the king’s command, they proceeded directly to the royal palace, where they beheld the aged King Daśaratha, shining like a god. With joined palms, free from fear, the messengers addressed the king with respectful and sweet words. They conveyed Janaka’s message: “The king of Mithilā, Janaka, accompanied by his sacred fire, again and again sends you sweet words filled with affection. Together with his priests and teachers, he first inquires about your welfare and enduring prosperity, O great king. Having calmly asked after your well-being, the ruler of Mithilā, Vaideha, with the approval of Kauśika, has spoken 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 arrived 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. You should fulfill my vow and will gain the affection of both your sons.’ Thus, the lord of Videha, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and in agreement with Śatānanda, has spoken these sweet words.” Hearing this message, King Daśaratha was filled with delight. He 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 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.” Pleased, the king then told his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” Honored greatly, the king’s ministers spent the night there, 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, his charioteer: “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 him, as he journeyed together with the sages. After four days of travel, he reached the land of Videha. King Janaka, upon hearing of Daśaratha’s arrival, arranged a grand reception. Janaka approached the aged King Daśaratha, filled with joy and experiencing the highest delight. The noble king, his heart uplifted, spoke to Daśaratha, the best of men: “Welcome to you, O foremost of men! By good fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava. You shall obtain the joy of both sons, won by their valor. By good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has arrived. Together with all the foremost Brāhmaṇas, like Indra among the gods, by good fortune my obstacles are overcome, and by good fortune my lineage is honored.” Thus, amid reverence and joy, the two royal houses stood united, their hearts full of anticipation and gratitude for the auspicious union that was to come.