Upon entering the royal assembly, the visitor beheld the great-souled Janaka, whose devotion to righteousness was renowned. With deep reverence, he greeted both Śatānanda and the supremely virtuous Janaka, offering them homage. He then ascended the splendid royal seat, fit for kings, and sat with his brother, both shining with equal brilliance. The two mighty brothers summoned Sudāman, the foremost of ministers, instructing him: “Go quickly, chief among ministers, to the illustrious Ikṣvāku. Bring him here, along with his sons and counselors—the unconquerable one who enhances the Raghu lineage—to this place of hospitality.” Sudāman departed at once, and upon reaching his destination, he bowed before the king and addressed him, saying, “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 Sudāman’s words, the king, accompanied by the sages, his relatives, ministers, preceptors, and kin, proceeded to the place where Janaka awaited. Upon arrival, the best among those skilled in speech spoke to 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 had finished speaking, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha rose and addressed Janaka. He began by recounting the sacred lineage: “Brahmā, whose origin is imperceptible, eternal, everlasting, and undecaying, spoke words to the wise Vaideha in the presence of the priests. From Brahmā came Marīci; from Marīci, Kaśyapa was born; from Kaśyapa, Vivasvān; and from Vivasvān, Manu, known as Vaivasvata. Manu, the ancient progenitor, had a son, Ikṣvāku, who was the first king of Ayodhyā. The illustrious son of Ikṣvāku was Kukṣi, followed by his son Vikukṣi. From Vikukṣi came the mighty and radiant Bāṇa, and from Bāṇa, the equally mighty Anaraṇya. Anaraṇya’s son was Pṛthu; from Pṛthu came Triśaṅku; Triśaṅku’s son was Dhundhumāra, famed for his great deeds. Dhundhumāra’s son was Yuvanāśva, a great chariot-warrior, whose son was Māndhātā, lord of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi came the renowned Bharata, and from Bharata, the mighty Asita. Against Asita, rival kings arose as enemies—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the heroic Śaśabindus. Asita, fighting them in battle, was exiled and went with his wives to the Himalayas. There, King Asita, weakened, met his destined end, and it is said both his wives became 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. One noble lady, Kālindī, radiant as a god 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, blessed her: ‘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, a potion was given to her with the intention of destroying the embryo. Nevertheless, together with that potion, Sagara was born. Sagara’s son was Asamanja; from Asamanja came Amshuman; and from Dilipa, son of Amshuman, was born Bhagiratha. From Bhagiratha came Kakutstha, and from Kakutstha, Raghu. Raghu’s son was the illustrious Pravridha, the devourer of men. From him was born Kalmashapada; from Kalmashapada came Shankhana; Sudarshana was Shankhana’s son, and Agnivarṇa was born of Sudarshana. Shighraga was Agnivarṇa’s son, and Maru was Shighraga’s son; from Maru came Prashushruka, and from Prashushruka, Ambarisha. Ambarisha’s son was King Nahuṣa; from Nahuṣa came Yayāti, and from Yayāti, Nābhāga. Nābhāga’s son was Aja, and from Aja was born Dasharatha. From this Dasharatha were born the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. This is the ancient, pure line of kings, supremely righteous, born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty—heroes and speakers of truth. For the sake of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, O king, I seek your daughter. You should give her to those who are their equals, O best of men, to those who are worthy.” As the seventy-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, began, Janaka, with joined palms, replied: “May it be well with you. You are worthy to hear the account of our lineage. For, O best of sages, in the matter of giving a daughter, the lineage must be fully declared by one born in the family. Listen to it, O wise one.