The wise counselors gathered and spoke to King Janaka, urging him to form an alliance with the illustrious Raghavas, renowned for their valor and might. They advised that the marriage ceremony should be arranged at dawn the next day. “At the conclusion of the sacrifice, O best of kings,” they said, “let the marriage take place in the presence of the foremost sages.” Hearing these words in the assembly of sages, Janaka, the lord of men, responded. A master of eloquence replied to Janaka, “The acceptance of a bride depends upon the giver; this is a truth I have heard before.” Janaka, a knower of righteousness, replied with humility, “As you say, so shall it be. Your words are righteous, renowned, and truthful.” Hearing this exchange, the lord of Videha was filled with wonder. All the assembled sages, united in purpose, spent that night in great joy and happiness. Rama, radiant with splendor, and his brother Lakshmana, accompanied by the sage Vishvamitra, approached their father and reverently touched his feet. King Dasharatha, hearing the voices of his sons Rama and Lakshmana, was overjoyed. He remained there, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka. Janaka himself, resplendent and versed in dharma, performed the necessary rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, and spent the night peacefully. Thus ended the seventieth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. At dawn, after completing his morning rituals, Janaka addressed his learned family priest, Śatānanda, in the presence of the assembled sages. He spoke of his brother Kuśadhvaja, a man of great energy, valor, and virtue, who lived in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. This city, pure as merit itself, was nourished by the waters of the Kṣumatī river, its banks adorned with groves and fruit trees, resembling the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. Janaka expressed his wish to see Kuśadhvaja, whom he regarded as the protector of the sacrifice and a sharer in his joy. As these words were spoken, attendants arrived, and Janaka instructed them to fetch his brother. Swiftly, by the king’s command, the messengers rode out on fast horses, tasked with bringing Kuśadhvaja, that tiger among men, just as Indra might summon Vishnu. Upon reaching Sāṃkāśya, the envoys conveyed Janaka’s message to Kuśadhvaja. Hearing their words, the noble king promptly set out, as commanded by Janaka. Arriving, he greeted Śatānanda and Janaka, showing them due honor, and then ascended a splendid royal seat. The two brothers, radiant and equal in brilliance, sat together. Then, wishing to extend hospitality, the two brothers sent their chief minister, Sudāman, instructing him, “Go quickly, chief of ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Bring him, his sons, and his counselors—the unconquerable one, who enhances the Raghu lineage—here to our hall of welcome.” Sudāman went and, bowing his head, respectfully addressed King Dasharatha: “O lord of Ayodhya, King Janaka of Mithila wishes to see you. He is resolved to meet you, along with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing these words, Dasharatha, accompanied by the sages, his relatives, ministers, and preceptors, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. There, the best among eloquent speakers addressed Janaka: “O great king, you well know the tutelary deity of the Ikṣvāku line. In all matters, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha is our spokesperson, with the approval of Viśvāmitra and the other great sages. This righteous Vasiṣṭha will speak for me in due order.” When Dasharatha fell silent, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha began to speak. He recounted the ancient lineage: “Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying, spoke 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, known as Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, had Ikṣvāku as his son, who became the first king of Ayodhya. From Ikṣvāku came the illustrious Kukṣi; from Kukṣi, his son Vikukṣi; from Vikukṣi, the mighty and radiant Bāṇa; and from Bāṇa, the mighty and radiant Anaraṇya. From Anaraṇya was born Pṛthu; from Pṛthu, Triśaṅku; and Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his greatness. From Dhundhumāra came Yuvanāśva, a mighty chariot-warrior; his son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was the illustrious Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi was born the renowned Bharata; and from Bharata, the mighty Asita. Against Asita, rival kings arose as enemies: the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus. Engaged in battle with them, Asita was exiled and went to the Himalayas with his wives. There, weakened and at the end of his strength, King Asita met his destined end. It is said that both his wives became pregnant; one, wishing to destroy her pregnancy, gave Sagara to her co-wife. And in the beautiful mountain, the sage was delighted.” Thus, the noble lineages and the auspicious preparations for the great wedding were set in motion, with all the kings, sages, and families assembled in joy and reverence.