Following the command of King Daśaratha, his messengers made their way into the royal palace. There, they beheld the venerable monarch, Daśaratha himself, radiant and dignified, shining with the splendor of a god. With hands respectfully joined, and their hearts free from fear, the messengers addressed the king with words that were gentle and filled with reverence. They conveyed a message from King Janaka of Mithilā, who, accompanied by his sacred fire, had spoken again and again in words sweet and full of affection. Janaka, together with his priests and learned teachers, first inquired about Daśaratha’s welfare and enduring prosperity, expressing his deep regard for the great king. Having thus calmly asked after Daśaratha’s well-being, Janaka—ruler of Mithilā, also called Vaideha—spoke further, with the approval of the sage Kauśika (Viśvāmitra). He reminded Daśaratha of his earlier vow: that his daughter Sītā would only be wed to one who could prove his prowess. Many kings had come, but, having failed the test and grown resentful, they had been turned away, their strength found wanting. Janaka then declared that, by fortune, his daughter had now been won by Daśaratha’s sons, who had arrived in Mithilā accompanied by Viśvāmitra and others. In the great assembly, it was mighty-armed Rāma—noble and high-souled—who broke the divine bow, a feat none before had accomplished. Therefore, Janaka said, he must now give Sītā, won by valor, to this great-souled Rāma, wishing thus to fulfill his vow. He humbly requested Daśaratha’s consent. He urged the king, along with his priests and teachers, to come swiftly and safely to Mithilā, so that he might see his two sons. Janaka pressed his request, asking Daśaratha to help him fulfill his vow, assuring him that he would thereby gain the love of both his sons. Thus, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and in agreement with Śatānanda, Janaka spoke these sweet and heartfelt words. When Daśaratha heard this message, his joy was boundless. He turned to Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his ministers, saying: “Protected by the son of Kuśika, Rāma—the delight of Kausalyā—together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, is now in the land of the Videhas. Having witnessed Rāma’s prowess, the noble Janaka now wishes to give his daughter to Rāghava. If the conduct of Janaka pleases you all, let us proceed swiftly to his city, wasting no time.” The ministers and all the great sages replied, “Certainly.” Pleased, King Daśaratha then informed his ministers that they would depart on the morrow. That night, the king’s ministers, honored and delighted, rested there, filled with virtue and happiness. Now begins the sixty-ninth chapter of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. At dawn, after the night had passed, King Daśaratha, filled with joy, gathered his teachers and relatives and spoke to Sumantra: “Today, let all the treasurers, bringing abundant wealth adorned with precious gems, proceed ahead, well-prepared. Let the fourfold army set out quickly in full, and have my finest chariot yoked without delay. Let Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, and Kātyāyana be present. Let these Brāhmaṇas go ahead, and have my chariot ready, for the messengers urge haste.” By the king’s order, the fourfold army followed behind, as Daśaratha set out with the sages. After traveling for four days, they reached the land of Videha. Upon hearing of their arrival, King Janaka made every arrangement for a grand reception. Janaka approached the aged Daśaratha, his heart brimming with joy, and experienced the highest delight. He welcomed Daśaratha with happiness, saying, “Welcome, O foremost of men! By great fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava. You shall now enjoy the joy of both your sons, won by their valor. By good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has also come. Together with all these foremost Brāhmaṇas, like Indra among the gods, by good fortune my obstacles are overcome and my lineage is honored. Through alliance with the Raghavas, supreme in valor and might, you should arrange the ceremony tomorrow at dawn.” Janaka continued, “At the conclusion of the sacrifice, O best of kings, let the marriage be performed in the presence of the foremost sages.” Hearing these words among the assembled sages, Daśaratha replied, “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before. As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall we do; your words are righteous and renowned, truly those of a speaker of truth.” Hearing this, Janaka was filled with great wonder. All the groups of sages gathered together and spent that night happily, filled with joy. Rāma, radiant with splendor, together with Lakṣmaṇa, approached their father, led by Viśvāmitra, and touched his feet. The king, hearing the voices of his beloved sons, was overjoyed. He stayed there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka, who, versed in dharma and of great splendor, after performing the rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, spent the night in contentment. Here ends the seventieth chapter of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. At dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, spoke to Śatānanda, his learned family priest, in the presence of the great sages, preparing for the sacred ceremonies to come.