Janaka, the noble king of Mithilā, spoke warmly to his companions: “My brother Kuśadhvaja, famed for his energy, valor, and virtue, dwells in the auspicious city of Sāṃkāśya. That city, pure as merit itself, is nourished by the sacred waters of the Kṣumatī river, its banks adorned with groves and fruit trees, evoking the splendor of the celestial Puṣpaka chariot. I desire to see him, for he is the true protector of this sacrifice. That radiant soul, my brother, should share in this joy with me.” As Janaka uttered these words in the presence of Śatānanda, his attendants arrived. Janaka instructed them to depart swiftly and summon Kuśadhvaja. Obeying the king’s command, the messengers sped away on fast horses, intent on bringing Kuśadhvaja, the tiger among men, just as Indra would call upon Viṣṇu. Upon reaching Sāṃkāśya, the envoys found Kuśadhvaja and conveyed all that had transpired, sharing Janaka’s wish. Hearing their message, Kuśadhvaja, noble king, set forth at Janaka’s command. When he arrived, he beheld the great-souled Janaka, steadfast in righteousness. Kuśadhvaja greeted both Śatānanda and Janaka, honoring them with reverence. He then ascended the splendid royal seat, worthy of kings, and the two brothers, both radiant and equal in brilliance, sat together. They dispatched 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 this place of hospitality.” Sudāman journeyed to Ayodhyā, and upon finding King Daśaratha, bowed respectfully and addressed him: “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka of Mithilā wishes to see you. He desires to meet you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing the minister’s words, Daśaratha, accompanied by sages, ministers, preceptors, and kin, proceeded to where Janaka awaited. 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.” With Daśaratha silent, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha began to speak. Vasiṣṭha recounted the ancient lineage: Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, and undecaying, spoke words to the wise Vaideha before the priests. From Brahmā came Marīci; from Marīci, Kaśyapa; from Kaśyapa, Vivasvān; and from Vivasvān, Manu, known as Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, had a son named Ikṣvāku, who became the first king of Ayodhyā. Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi, whose son was the renowned Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came Bāṇa, mighty and radiant. Bāṇa’s son was Anaraṇya, equally mighty and radiant. From Anaraṇya came Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu, Triśaṅku. Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great deeds. Dhundhumāra’s son was Yuvanāśva, a great chariot-warrior, and Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was the illustrious Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi came Bharata, renowned by name, and from Bharata, the mighty Asita. Against Asita, rival kings arose: the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus. Fighting them in battle, Asita was exiled and, with his wives, went to the Himalayas. There, King Asita, weakened, met his destined end, but both his wives were pregnant. One wife, seeking to destroy her pregnancy, gave Sagara to her co-wife. In the beautiful mountain, the sage Cyavana, a Bhārgava, took refuge. There, a noble lady with lotus-leaf eyes, desiring a son, approached Cyavana, bowing to him. Kālindī, eager for an excellent son, greeted the sage. Cyavana blessed her, declaring that a virtuous and powerful son would be born from her womb, and reassured her not to grieve. Having bowed to Cyavana, the royal princess, though separated from her husband, gave birth to a son. Yet, out of jealousy, her co-wife gave her a potion meant to destroy the embryo; nevertheless, together with that potion, Sagara was born. Sagara’s son was Asamanja; from Asamanja came Amshuman; from Amshuman’s son Dilipa came Bhagiratha. From Bhagiratha came Kakutstha; from Kakutstha, Raghu; and from Raghu, the illustrious Pravridha, known as the devourer of men. From Pravridha came Kalmashapada; from Kalmashapada, Shankhana; from Shankhana, Sudarshana; and from Sudarshana, Agnivarṇa. Shighraga was the son of Agnivarṇa; Maru was the son of Shighraga; from Maru came Prashushruka; and from Prashushruka, Ambarisha. Thus, the noble lineage of the Ikṣvāku dynasty was recounted, radiating through generations, each king preserving the sacred legacy and virtue of their forebears.