With Viśvāmitra leading the way, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa approached their father, Daśaratha, and reverently touched his feet. The king, hearing his beloved sons, was filled with immense joy. He remained in Mithilā, greatly pleased and honored by Janaka, the noble king. Janaka, radiant and deeply versed in dharma, performed the sacred rites for the sacrifice and for his daughters, and spent the night there with his guests. As the dawn broke, Janaka, having completed his morning rituals, addressed his wise family priest, Śatānanda, in the presence of the assembled sages. He spoke of his brother Kuśadhvaja, renowned for his energy, valor, and virtue, who resided in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. This city, pure as merit itself, was nourished by the waters of the Kṣumatī river and surrounded by groves and fruit trees, reminiscent of the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. Janaka expressed his desire to see his brother, whom he regarded as the protector of the sacrifice, so that Kuśadhvaja might share in the joy of the occasion. As Janaka spoke these words before Śatānanda, attendants arrived, and Janaka instructed them to bring Kuśadhvaja. By his command, they departed swiftly on fast horses, intent on summoning Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Indra summons Viṣṇu. Upon reaching Sāṃkāśya, they found Kuśadhvaja and conveyed Janaka’s message and intentions. Hearing this, Kuśadhvaja, at Janaka’s behest, made his way to Mithilā. Upon arrival, Kuśadhvaja saw his righteous brother Janaka, and after greeting both Janaka and the learned Śatānanda, he paid them due homage. He took his place upon a splendid royal seat, worthy of kings, and the two brothers, equal in brilliance, sat together. Then, the two mighty brothers sent their foremost minister, Sudāman, with a message: “Go quickly, chief of ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku, Daśaratha. Bring him here, along with his sons and counselors, the unconquerable one who enhances the Raghu lineage, to this place of hospitality.” Sudāman went to Daśaratha, bowed respectfully, and conveyed Janaka’s invitation: “O lord of Ayodhyā, the king of Mithilā, Janaka, wishes to see you. He is resolved to meet you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing these words, Daśaratha, accompanied by his relatives, ministers, preceptors, and kin, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. Among those gathered, the best speaker addressed Janaka, saying, “O great king, you know well the tutelary deity of the Ikṣvāku line. In all matters, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha speaks for us, 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 sage Vasiṣṭha began to speak. Vasiṣṭha recounted the lineage, saying: “Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying, 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, had a son named Ikṣvāku, who was the first king of Ayodhyā. Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi, whose son was the renowned Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came the mighty and radiant Bāṇa, and from Bāṇa, Anaraṇya, also mighty and radiant. Anaraṇya’s son was Pṛthu, and Pṛthu’s son was Triśaṅku. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great deeds. From Dhundhumāra came Yuvanāśva, a powerful chariot-warrior, and Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. Dhruvasandhi’s son was the renowned Bharata, and Bharata’s son was the mighty Asita. Against Asita, rival kings—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus—rose as enemies. In battle, Asita was exiled and, with his wives, retreated to the Himalayas. There, Asita, weakened, met his destined end, but it is said both his wives were pregnant. One wife, intending to destroy her pregnancy, gave Sagara to her co-wife. In those beautiful mountains, a sage of the Bhārgava lineage named Cyavana had taken refuge. There, the noble lady Kālindī, radiant as a deity and with lotus-leaf eyes, approached Cyavana, desiring an excellent son. She bowed to him, and the sage, eager for her to have a son, said, ‘In your womb, O noble lady, a virtuous and greatly powerful son will be born. Do not grieve, for a son of great strength and radiance will soon be born.’ Having bowed to Cyavana, the royal princess, devoted to her husband though separated from him, gave birth to a son. Yet, out of jealousy towards her co-wife, she was given a potion intended to destroy the embryo. Still, together with that potion, Sagara was born.