After a night filled with joy and contentment, Rāma, radiant in splendor, set out with Lakṣmaṇa by his side. Guided by the sage Viśvāmitra, the two brothers approached their father, Daśaratha, and reverently touched his feet. Hearing the voices of his beloved sons, Daśaratha was overwhelmed with happiness. The king remained there, honored by Janaka, and Janaka himself, a sovereign of great brilliance and deep understanding of dharma, completed the sacred rites for both the sacrifice and his daughters. With these duties fulfilled, Janaka spent the night in peace. With the dawn, Janaka, having performed his morning rituals, addressed Śatānanda, the wise family priest, in the presence of the assembled sages. He spoke of his brother, Kuśadhvaja, a man renowned for his energy, valor, and virtue, who resided in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. This city, pure as merit itself, sat beside the waters of the Kṣumatī river, its banks adorned with groves and fruit trees, reminiscent of the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. Janaka expressed his desire to see his brother, whom he considered the protector of the sacrifice, so that Kuśadhvaja might share in his joy. As Janaka spoke these words before Śatānanda, attendants arrived, and Janaka gave them instructions. By his command, they departed swiftly on fast horses to bring Kuśadhvaja, a lion among men, just as Indra would summon Viṣṇu. Upon reaching Sāṃkāśya, the envoys found Kuśadhvaja and conveyed Janaka’s message and intentions. Hearing these words, Kuśadhvaja promptly set out, obeying his brother’s summons. When he arrived, he greeted Janaka, the great-souled and dharma-loving king, as well as Śatānanda, paying them homage. Kuśadhvaja then took his place upon a splendid royal seat, and the two brothers, equally brilliant, sat together. The brothers then sent their foremost minister, Sudāman, instructing him, “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 our place of hospitality.” Sudāman went to Daśaratha, bowed his head, and addressed him: “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka of Mithilā wishes to see you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing this, Daśaratha, accompanied by his sages, relatives, ministers, and preceptors, proceeded to Janaka’s residence. 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 fell silent, the venerable Vasiṣṭha began to speak. He recounted the lineage of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, beginning with Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying. Brahmā spoke to the wise Vaideha in the presence of the priests: from Brahmā came Marīci, from Marīci came Kaśyapa, from Kaśyapa came Vivasvān, and from Vivasvān was born Manu, known as Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, was the father of Ikṣvāku, the first king of Ayodhyā. Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi, whose son was Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came Bāṇa, mighty and radiant, and from Bāṇa came Anaraṇya, equally mighty and radiant. Anaraṇya’s son was Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu came Triśaṅku. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great renown. From Dhundhumāra came Yuvanāśva, a mighty chariot-warrior, and 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, and from Bharata came Asita, the mighty king. Against Asita, rival kings arose as enemies—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and heroic Śaśabindus. After fierce battles, Asita was exiled and journeyed to the Himalayas with his wives. There, the weakened king met his destined end, but it was said that both his wives became pregnant. One wife, seeking to destroy her pregnancy, entrusted her unborn child, Sagara, to her co-wife. In those beautiful mountains, a sage rejoiced. A Bhārgava named Cyavana had taken refuge in the Himalayas, and there, a noble lady approached him, radiant as a god, her eyes like lotus leaves, desiring an excellent son. Bowing to the sage, Kālindī greeted him. Cyavana spoke to her, eager for the birth of a son: “O noble lady, a virtuous and greatly powerful son will be born in your womb. A son of great strength and radiance will soon be born; do not grieve for your pregnancy, O lotus-eyed one.” Having bowed to Cyavana, the royal princess, devoted to her husband though separated from him, gave birth to a son, fulfilling the sage’s prophecy.