In the midst of a great assembly, the divine and precious bow was broken by the mighty-armed Rāma, the high-souled son of Raghu. Witnessing this extraordinary feat, King Janaka declared that Sītā, won by such prowess, must now be given to Rāma. Eager to fulfill his vow, Janaka appealed for consent, expressing his wish to honor the promise he had made regarding Sītā’s marriage. Turning to King Daśaratha, Janaka requested that he, along with his priests and teachers, come swiftly and safely to Mithilā. “You ought to see the two sons of Raghu,” Janaka urged, adding that Daśaratha should help fulfill his vow—a gesture that would surely win the affection of both his sons. Thus, with the approval of the sage Viśvāmitra and in agreement with Śatānanda, Janaka spoke these sweet and heartfelt words. When Daśaratha received this message, his heart was filled with immense delight. He spoke to Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his ministers, saying, “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 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 responded enthusiastically, “Certainly.” Pleased, Daśaratha declared to his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” That night, the king’s ministers, honored greatly, spent their time in joy and virtue. As dawn approached, King Daśaratha, joyful and surrounded by his teachers and relatives, spoke to Sumantra: “Let all the treasurers, bringing abundant wealth adorned with 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, the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, and Kātyāyana be present. Let these Brāhmaṇas go ahead, and yoke my chariot, so there is no delay, for the messengers urge me.” By the king’s order, the fourfold army followed behind Daśaratha, who traveled together with the sages. After journeying for four days, they reached the land of Videha, where King Janaka, having heard of their arrival, arranged a grand reception. Approaching the aged King Daśaratha, Janaka was filled with joy and experienced the highest delight. He welcomed Daśaratha warmly, saying, “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 with the gods, by good fortune my obstacles are overcome, and by good fortune my lineage is honored. Through alliance with the Raghavas, who are supreme in valor and might, O king, you should arrange the ceremony tomorrow at dawn.” Janaka then proposed, “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 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, righteous and renowned, are those of a speaker of truth.” Janaka was filled with great wonder at Daśaratha’s response. That night, all the groups of sages gathered together and spent their time happily, filled with great joy. Rāma, radiant in splendor, went together with Lakṣmaṇa to their father. Led by Viśvāmitra, they touched Daśaratha’s feet, and the king, hearing his sons, was overjoyed. Daśaratha remained there, greatly pleased, honored by Janaka. Janaka, too, full of splendor and versed in dharma, after performing the rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, spent the night in contentment. At dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, spoke to Śatānanda, the learned family priest, in the presence of the great sages. He said, “My brother, renowned as Kuśadhvaja, is a man of great energy, valor, and virtue, and he dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. There, he drinks the waters of the Kṣumatī river, bordered by groves and fruit trees, like the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for I consider him the protector of the sacrifice; that great and radiant one, too, will share in this joy with me.” As Janaka spoke these words in the presence of Śatānanda, some attendants arrived, and Janaka gave them instructions. By the king’s command, they departed swiftly on fast horses to bring Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Viṣṇu is summoned by Indra’s order. Arriving in Sāṃkāśya, they saw Kuśadhvaja and reported to him all that had happened and what Janaka intended. Hearing the message from the swift envoys, King Kuśadhvaja promptly set out, obeying Janaka’s command, eager to share in the auspicious occasion.