When the noble King Daśaratha saw that the conduct of the illustrious Janaka was pleasing to all, he turned to his ministers and said, “If Janaka’s ways delight you, let us hasten to his city without delay.” The ministers and the assembled sages readily agreed, responding with a joyful, “Certainly.” Pleased, King Daśaratha instructed his ministers, “We shall depart tomorrow.” That night, the ministers, honored and delighted, rested content, their hearts filled with virtue and anticipation for the journey ahead. With the new day, the sixty-ninth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa unfolds. As dawn broke, King Daśaratha, his heart brimming with happiness, gathered his teachers and relatives. He addressed Sumantra, “Today, let all the treasurers bring forth abundant wealth, adorned with precious gems, and proceed ahead, well-prepared. Let the fourfold army set out at once, and have my finest chariot yoked without delay. Let the venerable Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, the long-lived sage Mārkaṇḍeya, and Kātyāyana be present.” He instructed that these revered Brāhmaṇas should go on ahead, and pressed for his chariot to be readied quickly, for the messengers were urging haste. At the king’s command, the fourfold army followed behind, while Daśaratha journeyed with the sages. For four days they traveled, until at last they reached the land of Videha. News of their arrival reached King Janaka, who immediately arranged a grand reception. Approaching the aged Daśaratha, Janaka was filled with joy and the highest delight. With happiness shining on his face, Janaka greeted him, saying, “Welcome, O foremost of men! By great fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava. You shall enjoy the happiness of both your sons, earned by their valor. By good fortune, the illustrious Vasiṣṭha has also come. With all these foremost Brāhmaṇas, like Indra among the gods, my obstacles are overcome and my lineage is honored.” Janaka continued, “Through alliance with the Raghavas, supreme in valor and might, 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 foremost sages.” Hearing these words, Daśaratha replied among the sages, “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before.” He added, “As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall it be. Your words are righteous and renowned, spoken truly.” Janaka was filled with great wonder at this exchange. That night, all the sages and assembly rejoiced together, their hearts full of joy. Rāma, radiant in splendor, and Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by Viśvāmitra, approached their father and reverently touched his feet. The king, hearing his beloved sons, was overwhelmed with joy. Daśaratha remained there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka, while Janaka, steadfast in dharma, performed the appropriate rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, and spent the night in satisfaction. As the seventieth sarga begins, dawn arrived. Janaka, having completed his morning duties, addressed Śatānanda, the learned family priest, in the presence of the assembled sages. He spoke of his brother, Kuśadhvaja, a man of great energy, valor, and virtue, who resided in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. This city, pure as merit itself, lay on the banks of the Kṣumatī river, surrounded by groves and fruit trees, beautiful as the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. Janaka expressed his wish to see his brother, whom he regarded as the protector of the sacrifice, so that Kuśadhvaja too might share in the joy of the occasion. As Janaka spoke, some attendants arrived, and he gave them instructions. By his command, they set out swiftly on fast horses to bring Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Viṣṇu is summoned at Indra’s behest. Reaching Sāṃkāśya, they conveyed Janaka’s message to Kuśadhvaja. Upon hearing the news, Kuśadhvaja, obedient to his brother’s summons, journeyed to Mithilā. Arriving, Kuśadhvaja greeted Janaka and Śatānanda with due homage, then ascended a splendid royal seat. The two brothers, equal in brilliance, sat side by side. Together, they dispatched their chief minister, Sudāman, with a message: “Go swiftly, chief of ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Invite him, along with his sons and counselors, the unconquerable one who enhances the Raghu lineage, to our place of hospitality.” Sudāman went at once, and upon meeting Daśaratha, bowed respectfully and said, “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka of Mithilā wishes to see you. He is resolved to meet you, along with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing these words, Daśaratha, together with the sages, his relatives, ministers, and teachers, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. There, the best among those skilled in speech addressed Janaka, saying, “O great king, you know well the tutelary deity of the Ikṣvāku line.” Thus, with respect, joy, and righteousness, the two royal houses prepared to unite in sacred alliance, surrounded by sages and well-wishers, under the blessings of their ancestors and the gods.