After journeying for four days, King Daśaratha finally arrived in the land of Videha. News of his arrival quickly reached King Janaka, who, filled with anticipation and joy, arranged a grand reception to honor his distinguished guest. As Janaka approached the venerable Daśaratha, his heart overflowed with delight, and he greeted him warmly, saying, “Welcome, O foremost of men! By good fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava.” Janaka continued, expressing his happiness at the valor of Daśaratha’s sons: “You shall enjoy the rewards brought by your sons’ bravery. By good fortune, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has also come.” He likened the gathering of the eminent Brāhmaṇas to Indra surrounded by the gods, rejoicing that all obstacles had been overcome and his lineage honored by such illustrious company. Turning to Daśaratha, Janaka spoke of the alliance between their families: “Through union with the Raghavas, who are supreme in valor and might, O king, let us arrange the ceremony tomorrow at dawn.” He proposed that, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the marriage should be performed in the presence of the foremost sages. Having spoken these words among the assembled sages, Janaka awaited Daśaratha’s reply. Daśaratha, skilled in speech and wisdom, responded thoughtfully: “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before.” He affirmed Janaka’s proposal, saying, “As you say, O knower of righteousness, so shall we do. Your words, righteous and renowned, are those of a speaker of truth.” Hearing this, Janaka was filled with wonder, and the gathered sages felt great joy. That night, all the groups of sages rejoiced together, and Rāma, radiant in splendor, went with Lakṣmaṇa to their father. Led by Viśvāmitra, they touched Daśaratha’s feet, and the king, hearing from his beloved sons, was overjoyed. Daśaratha remained there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka. Janaka, wise and versed in dharma, after performing the necessary rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, spent the night in contentment. With the conclusion of the seventieth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, the story continued. At dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, spoke to Śatānanda, his learned family priest, in the presence of the great sages. He said, “My brother, Kuśadhvaja, renowned for his energy, valor, and virtue, dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. It is a city as pure as merit itself, watered by the Kṣumatī river, bordered by groves and fruit trees, reminiscent of the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for I consider him the protector of the sacrifice. That radiant one, too, will share in this joy with me.” As Janaka spoke these words, attendants arrived, and Janaka instructed them to depart swiftly on fast horses to bring Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Viṣṇu is summoned by Indra’s command. The messengers reached Sāṃkāśya, found Kuśadhvaja, and conveyed Janaka’s message and intentions. Hearing the message, Kuśadhvaja, at Janaka’s command, came without delay. He greeted Janaka and Śatānanda respectfully, then took his place on the splendid royal seat, sitting beside his brother. The two brothers, equal in brilliance, sat together. Then, they sent their foremost minister, Sudāman, with instructions: “Go quickly, chief of ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Bring him here, along with his sons and counselors, the unconquerable one, the enhancer of the Raghu lineage, to the place of hospitality.” Sudāman arrived and, bowing his head, addressed Daśaratha: “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka of Mithilā wishes to see you. He is resolved to meet you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing this, Daśaratha, accompanied by the sages, his relatives, ministers, and kin, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. There, Daśaratha, 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 the spokesperson, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and all the great sages. This righteous Vasiṣṭha will speak for me in due order.” With that, Daśaratha fell silent, and the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha began to speak. Vasiṣṭha recounted the lineage, saying: “Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying, spoke words to the wise Vaideha in the presence of the priests. From Brahmā, Marīci was born; from Marīci, Kaśyapa was his son; from Kaśyapa, Vivasvān was born; and Manu, known as Vaivasvata, was born from Vivasvān. Manu was the ancient progenitor, and Ikṣvāku was Manu’s son. Know that Ikṣvāku was the first king of Ayodhyā. “The illustrious son of Ikṣvāku was Kukṣi; from Kukṣi, his son, the illustrious Vikukṣi, was born. From Vikukṣi, the mighty and radiant Bāṇa was born; and from Bāṇa, the mighty and radiant Anaraṇya was born. From Anaraṇya, Pṛthu was born; and from Pṛthu, Triśaṅku. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, renowned for his great fame. From Dhundhumāra, the mighty Yuvanāśva, a great chariot-warrior, was born; and Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. From Māndhātā, the illustrious Susandhi was born; and Susandhi had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit.” Thus, the noble gathering listened as the illustrious ancestry of the Ikṣvāku line was recounted, setting the stage for the sacred alliance soon to be forged.