King Janaka, his heart full of joy, addressed King Daśaratha with gentle reverence, saying, “O king, by fortune my daughter has been won by your sons, who arrived here in the company of the sage Viśvāmitra and others. In the midst of a great assembly, the divine and precious bow was broken by the mighty-armed Rāma, the high-souled one. Therefore, as Sītā has been won by his valor, I must now give her to this noble scion of the Raghus, thus fulfilling my vow. I seek your consent, so that my promise may be completed.” Janaka continued, “O great king, please come swiftly and safely with your priests and teachers, for you should behold your two sons, the jewels of the Raghu line. By fulfilling my vow, you will win the affection of both your sons.” Having spoken thus, Janaka, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and the agreement of Śatānanda, delivered these sweet words. When this gracious message reached King Daśaratha, his heart overflowed with delight. He turned to his revered priests, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, and to his wise ministers, and said, “Protected by the son of Kuśika, Rāma—the joy of Kausalyā—along with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, is staying among the Videhas. Having witnessed Rāma’s prowess, the great-souled Janaka desires to give his daughter to Rāghava. If the conduct of noble Janaka pleases you, let us depart swiftly for his city, so that no time is lost.” The ministers and the assembled sages replied, “Certainly.” The pleased king then instructed his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” That night, the king’s ministers, honored and delighted, rested together, their hearts filled with virtue. As the new day dawned, King Daśaratha, filled with happiness, gathered his teachers and relatives and spoke to Sumantra: “Let all the treasurers bring forth abundant wealth adorned with precious gems, and let them proceed ahead, well-prepared. Order the fourfold army to set out at once, 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 my chariot be made ready, for the messengers urge us onward.” By the king’s command, the fourfold army followed behind, while Daśaratha traveled with the sages. After four days’ journey, they reached the land of Videha. Upon hearing of their arrival, King Janaka arranged a grand reception. Janaka, approaching the aged Daśaratha with great joy, greeted him warmly: “Welcome, O best of men! By good fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava. You shall receive the joy of both sons, won by their valor. By good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha is here. With all these foremost Brāhmaṇas, just as Indra is surrounded by the gods, my obstacles are overcome and my lineage is honored. Through alliance with the Raghus, supreme in valor, let the ceremony be arranged tomorrow at dawn. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, let the marriage be performed in the presence of the sages.” Hearing these words, Daśaratha, wise and skilled in speech, replied, “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before. As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall it be. Your words are righteous and renowned, spoken with truth.” Janaka was filled with wonder at Daśaratha’s response. That night, all the sages and ministers, overjoyed, gathered together in happiness. Rāma, radiant and serene, with Lakṣmaṇa, approached their father, touching his feet with reverence, Viśvāmitra leading them. Hearing his sons, Daśaratha’s heart overflowed with joy. The king remained there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka, while Janaka himself, radiant and versed in dharma, performed the necessary rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, and spent the night in contentment. When dawn broke, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, addressed Śatānanda, his learned family priest, in the presence of the assembled sages: “My brother, Kuśadhvaja, renowned for his energy, valor, and virtue, dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. That city, pure as merit itself, is watered by the Kṣumatī river and bordered by groves and fruit trees, like the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for I consider him the true protector of the sacrifice. He, too, should share in this joy with me.” As Janaka spoke these words, some attendants arrived. Janaka instructed them to depart swiftly on fast horses to summon Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Indra would summon Viṣṇu. The attendants went quickly to Sāṃkāśya, found Kuśadhvaja, and conveyed all that had transpired and what Janaka desired. Thus, the noble kings and sages, bound by dharma and affection, prepared to celebrate the union of their houses, surrounded by joy and righteousness.