The ministers and the great sages, having been consulted by King Daśaratha, replied with cheerful assent. Pleased with their agreement, the king addressed his ministers, declaring, “We shall depart tomorrow.” That night, the honored ministers—delighted and virtuous—remained there, their hearts filled with anticipation. As dawn broke, King Daśaratha, joyful and surrounded by his teachers and kinsmen, summoned Sumantra and spoke: “Today, let all the treasurers bring forth abundant wealth, adorned with precious gems, and have them proceed ahead, well-prepared. Let the fourfold army set out swiftly, 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 have my chariot made ready at once, for the messengers are urging me.” By the king’s order, the great army followed in full array behind Daśaratha, who journeyed with the assembled sages. After four days of travel, they reached the land of Videha. News of their arrival swiftly reached King Janaka, who arranged a reception in their honor. King Janaka, filled with joy, approached the venerable Daśaratha and welcomed him with heartfelt delight, saying, “Welcome, O foremost of men! By great fortune, you have arrived, O Rāghava. You shall rejoice in the valorous deeds of both your sons; by good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has come. With all the foremost Brāhmaṇas gathered, as Indra is surrounded by the gods, my obstacles are overcome and my lineage is honored. Through alliance with the mighty Raghavas, O king, let us arrange the ceremony at dawn tomorrow. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, let the marriage be performed in the presence of the assembled sages.” Hearing these words, the lord of men replied, “Acceptance depends upon the giver; I have heard this before. As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall we do. Your words are righteous, renowned, and true.” King Janaka marveled at this response, and the groups of sages, coming together, spent the night in great happiness and joy. That night, Rāma, radiant with splendor, together with Lakṣmaṇa, approached their father. Led by Viśvāmitra, they reverently touched Daśaratha’s feet, and the king, hearing his sons’ voices, was filled with overwhelming joy. Daśaratha 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. As the next dawn arrived, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, spoke to his learned family priest, Śatānanda, in the presence of the great sages: “My brother, Kuśadhvaja, renowned for energy, valor, and virtue, dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. That city, pure as merit itself, lies on the banks of the Kṣumatī river, bordered by groves and fruit trees, like the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for he is the protector of the sacrifice, and he too should share in this joy with me.” As these words were spoken, attendants arrived, and Janaka instructed them to bring Kuśadhvaja swiftly, comparing their mission to summoning Viṣṇu at Indra’s behest. The swift envoys journeyed to Sāṃkāśya, found Kuśadhvaja, and conveyed Janaka’s message and intent. Hearing this, Kuśadhvaja, the noble king, set out at his brother’s command. Upon arrival, Kuśadhvaja greeted the righteous Janaka and the learned Śatānanda with respect, then took his place upon the splendid royal seat. The two brothers, radiant and equal in brilliance, sat together. They then dispatched their foremost minister, Sudāman, instructing him: “Go quickly, chief of ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Invite him, along with his sons and counselors, to the place of hospitality.” Sudāman went to Daśaratha, bowed respectfully, and conveyed Janaka’s invitation: “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka wishes to meet you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing this, Daśaratha, accompanied by his sages, ministers, and relatives, proceeded to where Janaka awaited him. There, one skilled in speech addressed Janaka: “O great king, you know well the tutelary deity of the Ikṣvāku line. In all matters, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha is our spokesperson, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and all the great sages.” Thus, with both lineages united in joy, the preparations for the sacred ceremonies moved forward under the guidance of the revered elders and sages.