When the swift and excellent messengers brought word, King Kuśadhvaja responded at once to the summons of King Janaka. He journeyed swiftly and, upon arrival, beheld the great-souled Janaka, a sovereign steadfast in righteousness. Kuśadhvaja greeted both Śatānanda and Janaka, honoring them with deep respect and reverence. He then ascended the splendid royal seat, a throne befitting kings, and sat beside his brother. The two brothers, shining with equal brilliance, took their places together. Soon after, they summoned their foremost minister, Sudāman, and instructed him, “Go at once, chief among ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Invite him, along with his sons and counselors—the unconquerable one, the glory of the Raghu lineage—to this place of hospitality.” Sudāman hastened to the king and, bowing his head, addressed him: “O lord of Ayodhyā, King Janaka of Mithilā wishes to see you. He is resolved to meet you, together with your preceptors and priests.” Hearing these words, King Daśaratha, accompanied by the sages, his relatives, ministers, preceptors, and kin, proceeded to the place where Janaka awaited. There, among the gathered assembly, the most eloquent among them addressed Janaka, saying, “O great king, you are well acquainted with 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 now speak for me in due order.” With these words, Daśaratha fell silent, and the revered sage Vasiṣṭha began to speak. Vasiṣṭha recounted the sacred lineage, beginning with Brahmā, the eternal and imperceptible origin of all. From Brahmā was born Marīci, and from Marīci came Kaśyapa. Kaśyapa’s son was Vivasvān, from whom was born Manu, known as Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, fathered Ikṣvāku, who became the first king of Ayodhyā. The illustrious son of Ikṣvāku was Kukṣi, whose son was the renowned Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came Bāṇa, mighty and radiant, and from Bāṇa was born Anaraṇya, also mighty and illustrious. Anaraṇya’s son was Pṛthu, followed by Triśaṅku, whose son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great renown. 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. Dhruvasandhi’s son was the renowned Bharata, and from Bharata was born the mighty Asita. Against Asita, hostile kings arose: the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus. Battling these enemies, Asita was driven into exile and, with his wives, journeyed to the Himalayas. There, King Asita, weakened and nearing his end, left behind his two pregnant wives. One wife, out of enmity, gave her co-wife a potion meant to destroy her pregnancy. Yet, in the beautiful mountains, the sage Cyavana, a Bhārgava, had taken refuge. One of the noble ladies, Kālindī, with eyes like lotus petals and longing for an excellent son, approached the radiant sage, bowed to him, and greeted him with respect. The sage, perceiving her desire, spoke words of blessing: “O noble lady, a virtuous and greatly powerful son will be born from your womb. He will be strong and radiant; do not grieve for your pregnancy, O lotus-eyed one.” Bowing to Cyavana, the princess, devoted to her husband though separated from him, gave birth to a son. Despite her co-wife’s jealousy and the potion meant to destroy the embryo, Sagara was born together with the potion. Sagara’s son was Asamanja; from Asamanja came Amshuman; and from Amshuman’s son Dilipa was born Bhagiratha. From Bhagiratha descended Kakutstha, and from Kakutstha, Raghu. Raghu’s son was the illustrious Pravridha, the devourer of men. From him came Kalmashapada, whose son was Shankhana; Shankhana’s son was Sudarshana, and Sudarshana’s son was Agnivarṇa. Agnivarṇa’s son was Shighraga, whose son was Maru; Maru’s son was Prashushruka, and from Prashushruka came Ambarisha. Ambarisha’s son was King Nahuṣa, and from Nahuṣa came Yayāti, whose son was Nābhāga. Nābhāga’s son was Aja, and Aja’s son was Daśaratha. From this Daśaratha were born the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Thus, O king, from this ancient, pure, and supremely righteous line of kings, born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty—heroes and speakers of truth—for the sake of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, I now seek your daughter. You should give her to those who are her equals, O best of men, to those who are truly worthy. Now, listen to the seventy-first sarga in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, in the Bālakāṇḍa. Thus addressed, King Janaka, with palms joined in reverence, replied, “May it be well with you; you are worthy to hear the account of our lineage.