The noble King Janaka, filled with happiness at the arrival of his distinguished guests, spoke warmly to the best among men, saying, “Welcome to you, O foremost of men! By good fortune you have arrived, O Rāghava.” He continued, expressing his joy at the valor of the two sons, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and the auspicious arrival of the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha. Janaka likened himself to Indra, surrounded by the gods, as he now stood among the foremost Brāhmaṇas. He declared that, by good fortune, his obstacles were overcome and his lineage honored. Turning to King Daśaratha, Janaka spoke of the alliance with the Raghavas, renowned for their supreme valor and might. He suggested that the ceremony should be arranged for the following dawn. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, Janaka proposed that the marriage be performed in the presence of the sages. Hearing these words among the assembled sages, the lord of men, Daśaratha, replied. The best among those skilled in speech responded to Janaka, saying, “Acceptance depends on the giver; I have heard this before.” Daśaratha affirmed, “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 great wonder, and all the groups of sages rejoiced together. That night was spent in happiness and great joy. Rāma, radiant in splendor, went together with Lakṣmaṇa. Led by Viśvāmitra, they approached their father and reverently touched his feet. The king, hearing his sons, was overjoyed. He remained there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka. Janaka, resplendent and versed in dharma, after performing the rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, also spent the night there. Thus ended the seventieth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. At dawn, Janaka, having completed his morning duties, spoke to Śatānanda, the learned family priest, in the presence of the great sages. He mentioned his brother, Kuśadhvaja, a man of great energy, valor, and virtue, dwelling in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. This city, pure as merit, was watered by the Kṣumatī river and bordered with groves and fruit trees, reminiscent of the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. Janaka expressed his wish to see Kuśadhvaja, whom he considered the protector of the sacrifice, so that his brother, radiant and noble, might share in this joy. After Janaka spoke these words, attendants arrived, and he instructed them to bring Kuśadhvaja swiftly, just as Indra might summon Viṣṇu. The envoys sped to Sāṃkāśya on fast horses, found Kuśadhvaja, and conveyed Janaka’s message. Hearing their words, Kuśadhvaja came at Janaka’s command. He saw Janaka, devoted to righteousness, and greeted both Śatānanda and Janaka with homage. Kuśadhvaja ascended the splendid royal seat, and the two brothers, equal in brilliance, sat together. Then, the mighty brothers 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 went, bowed to Daśaratha, and delivered Janaka’s invitation: “O lord of Ayodhyā, the king of Mithilā wishes to see you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing this, Daśaratha, accompanied by sages, relatives, ministers, and kin, proceeded to where Janaka was. There, the best among those 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.” When Daśaratha became silent, the venerable Vasiṣṭha spoke. He recounted the lineage: Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, and undecaying, spoke to the wise Vaideha in the presence of the priests. From Brahmā, Marīci was born; from Marīci, Kaśyapa; from Kaśyapa, Vivasvān; and Manu, known as Vaivasvata, was born from Vivasvān. Manu was the ancient progenitor, and Ikṣvāku was his son, the first king of Ayodhyā. Vasiṣṭha continued: Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi; from Kukṣi came Vikukṣi; from Vikukṣi came Bāṇa; and Bāṇa’s son was Anaraṇya. From Anaraṇya came Pṛthu; from Pṛthu, Triśaṅku; Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, renowned for his fame. Dhundhumāra’s son was the mighty Yuvanāśva, a great chariot-warrior; Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi came Bharata; from Bharata, the mighty Asita was born. Against Asita, rival kings arose as enemies: the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus. Thus, the noble assembly listened as the sacred lineage of the Ikṣvāku dynasty was recounted, honoring the ancestors and preparing for the auspicious events to come.