King Janaka, lord of Videha, addressed the assembled kings with warmth and sincerity, urging, “O king of kings, you should fulfill my vow; by doing so, you will win the affection of both your sons.” With the approval of the sage Viśvāmitra and in agreement with the wise Śatānanda, Janaka spoke these gentle and pleasing words. When King Daśaratha heard this message, his heart overflowed with delight. He turned to the revered sages Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, as well as to his ministers, and spoke: “Protected by the son of Kuśika, Rāma—the joy of Kausalyā—together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, is now dwelling among the Videhas. Having witnessed Rāma’s extraordinary prowess, the high-minded Janaka wishes to give his daughter to Rāghava. If the conduct of the noble Janaka pleases you, let us hasten to his city without delay, so that no precious time is lost.” The ministers and the great sages joyfully agreed, saying, “Certainly.” Pleased, King Daśaratha announced to his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” That night, the honored ministers, virtuous and content, rested in happiness. Now begins the sixty-ninth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa’s Bālakāṇḍa. 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 bring forth abundant wealth, adorned with precious gems, and let them proceed ahead, fully prepared. Let our fourfold army quickly set out in its entirety, and have my finest chariot yoked without delay. Let Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, and Kātyāyana all be present. Let these Brāhmaṇas go ahead, and yoke my chariot without delay, for the messengers urge us onward.” By the king’s command, the fourfold army followed behind as Daśaratha journeyed with the sages. After four days of travel, they reached the land of Videha. Upon hearing of their arrival, King Janaka prepared a grand reception. Janaka approached the aged King Daśaratha, his heart brimming with joy and delight. He greeted Daśaratha, saying, “Welcome, O foremost of men! By good fortune you have come, O Rāghava. You shall enjoy the happiness of both your sons, earned by their valor. By good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has also arrived. Together with these foremost Brāhmaṇas, just as Indra is surrounded by the gods, my obstacles are now overcome, and my lineage is honored.” Janaka continued, “Through this alliance with the mighty Raghavas, O king, let the ceremony be arranged tomorrow at dawn. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, let the marriage be performed in the presence of these great sages.” Hearing these words, the king of men replied among the assembled sages. The best among those skilled in speech replied to Janaka, “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before.” Janaka answered, “As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall it be. Your words are righteous and renowned, truly those of a speaker of truth.” Hearing this, Janaka was filled with wonder. That night, all the sages, gathered together, spent their time in happiness and great joy. Rāma, shining with splendor, together with Lakṣmaṇa, approached their father with Viśvāmitra leading the way. They reverently touched their father’s feet, and King Daśaratha, hearing his beloved sons, was overjoyed. He remained there, honored by Janaka, and Janaka himself, resplendent and versed in dharma, after performing the necessary rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, spent the night in contentment. Here ends the seventieth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. At dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, addressed Śatānanda, his learned family priest, in the presence of the assembled sages. “My brother, renowned as Kuśadhvaja, is a man of great energy, valor, and virtue, and he dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. That city, as pure as merit itself, is watered by the Kṣumatī river and bordered by groves and fruit trees, much like the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for I consider him the protector of this sacrifice; that radiant one, too, will share in this joy with me.” As these words were spoken before Śatānanda, some attendants arrived. Janaka instructed them, and at his command, they swiftly departed on fast horses to summon Kuśadhvaja—the tiger among men—just as Viṣṇu is summoned by Indra’s order. Arriving in Sāṃkāśya, the attendants found Kuśadhvaja and conveyed all that had transpired, as well as Janaka’s wishes. Hearing their message, Kuśadhvaja, noble and swift, came at his brother’s command. He saw Janaka, steadfast in righteousness, and after greeting both Śatānanda and Janaka with due homage, he ascended the splendid royal seat. The two brothers, equal in brilliance and might, sat together. Then the mighty brothers sent their chief minister, Sudāman, instructing, “Go quickly, chief among ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku.