King Janaka, his heart overflowing with joy, approached the venerable King Daśaratha. With the utmost delight shining in his eyes, Janaka greeted Daśaratha warmly, saying, “Welcome, O foremost among men! How fortunate I am that you, O Rāghava, have come. By your arrival, you shall gain the happiness of both your sons, whose valor has won them great reward. It is a blessing, too, that the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha has come with you.” Janaka continued, “You have come accompanied by the foremost of Brāhmaṇas, just as Indra is attended by the gods. By this good fortune, all my obstacles are removed and my lineage is honored. Now, O king, unite with the noble Raghavas, who are supreme in valor and might, and let us arrange the ceremony tomorrow at dawn.” He then proposed, “At the conclusion of the sacrifice, let the marriage be performed in the presence of the foremost sages.” As these words were spoken among the assembled sages, King Daśaratha, the lord of men, responded. With wisdom and humility, Daśaratha, skilled in speech, replied, “The acceptance of a bride depends on the giver—I have heard this before.” He added, “O knower of righteousness, as you say, so shall we do. Your words are righteous, renowned, and true.” Janaka was filled with wonder at Daśaratha’s reply. That night, all the sages gathered together, their hearts full of joy, and spent the night in happiness. Rāma, radiant and splendid, together with Lakṣmaṇa, went to their father. Led by Viśvāmitra, they reverently touched Daśaratha’s feet, and the king, hearing the voices of his sons, was overjoyed. Daśaratha remained there, deeply pleased and honored by Janaka. Janaka, too, that illustrious and dharma-abiding king, performed the sacred rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, and spent the night in the same place. With this, the seventieth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa concludes. At the break of dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning devotions, spoke to his learned family priest Śatānanda in the presence of the assembled sages. He said, “My brother, Kuśadhvaja, is renowned for his energy, valor, and virtue, and dwells in a most auspicious city. He resides in Sāṃkāśya, a city as pure as merit itself, watered by the Kṣumatī river and adorned with groves and fruit trees, shining like the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I wish to see him, for I consider him the protector of the sacrifice. That radiant one, too, should share in this joy with me.” As Janaka spoke these words, some attendants arrived. He instructed them to set out at once. By the king’s command, they sped away on swift horses to bring Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Viṣṇu is summoned at Indra’s bidding. The envoys reached Sāṃkāśya and delivered Janaka’s message to Kuśadhvaja, telling him all that had transpired and what Janaka desired. Hearing their words, Kuśadhvaja, obedient to his brother’s summons, set out at once. Upon arrival, he saw Janaka, steadfast in righteousness, and greeted both Śatānanda and Janaka with reverence, paying them proper homage. He then ascended the splendid royal seat prepared for him, and the two noble brothers, equal in brilliance, sat together. The brothers then called for their chief minister, Sudāman, saying, “Go swiftly, chief among ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku, King Daśaratha. Invite him, along with his sons and counselors—the unconquerable one, the enhancer of the Raghu line—to our place of hospitality.” Sudāman went to Daśaratha and, bowing his head, addressed him: “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, accompanied by his sages, ministers, priests, and relatives, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. When they had assembled, Daśaratha, skilled in speech, addressed Janaka: “O great king, you are well acquainted with 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. The righteous Vasiṣṭha will speak on my behalf, in proper order.” As Daśaratha fell silent, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha spoke. He began to recount the noble lineage, saying, “Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying, spoke these words to the wise Vaideha in the presence of the priests: From Brahmā was born Marīci; from Marīci, Kaśyapa; from Kaśyapa, Vivasvān; and from Vivasvān, Manu, also called Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, had a son named Ikṣvāku, who became the first king of Ayodhyā. Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi; Kukṣi’s son was the renowned Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came the mighty and radiant Bāṇa, and from Bāṇa, the powerful Anaraṇya. From Anaraṇya was born Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu, Triśaṅku. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great deeds. Dhundhumāra’s son was the mighty Yuvanāśva, a heroic chariot-warrior; his son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. From Māndhātā came the illustrious Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi was born the celebrated Bharata, and from Bharata, the mighty Asita was born.” Thus, in the presence of kings and sages, the noble lineage was recounted, setting the stage for the sacred union to come.