The noble sage began to recount the ancient and illustrious lineages, speaking first of the house of Ikṣvāku. From Sagara, famed among kings, was born his son Asamanja. Asamanja’s son was Amshuman, and from Amshuman came Dilipa. Dilipa’s son was the renowned Bhagiratha, whose deeds are celebrated in the world. From Bhagiratha was born Kakutstha, and from him came Raghu, a name that shines in history. Raghu’s son was the illustrious Pravridha, known as a devourer of men. From Pravridha came Kalmashapada, and then his son Shankhana. Shankhana’s son was Sudarshana, and from Sudarshana was born Agnivarṇa. Agnivarṇa’s son was Shighraga, and from Shighraga came Maru. Maru’s son was Prashushruka, and from him was born Ambarisha. Ambarisha’s son was the king Nahuṣa, and from Nahuṣa came Yayāti. Yayāti’s son was Nābhāga, and from Nābhāga was born Aja. Aja’s son was Dasharatha, and from this Dasharatha were born the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, shining like the sun and moon in the world. This was the ancient, pure line of kings, supremely righteous, born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty—heroes, speakers of truth, and upholders of dharma. Addressing King Janaka, the sage said, “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.” At this, the narration of the seventy-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, begins. King Janaka, with joined palms and deep humility, replied, “May it be well with you! You are indeed 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, O wise one.” He then spoke of his ancestors: “There was a king renowned in the three worlds for his deeds, named Nimi, supremely righteous and foremost among all beings. His son was Mithi, and from Mithi came Janaka, the first king by that name. From Janaka came Udāvasu, and from Udāvasu was born the righteous Nandivardhana. Nandivardhana’s son was the mighty hero Suketu, and from Suketu came the righteous and mighty Devarāta, also known as Bṛhadratha. “Bṛhadratha’s son was the valiant Mahāvīra, and Mahāvīra’s son was Sudhṛti, steadfast and courageous. From Sudhṛti was born the virtuous Dhṛṣṭaketu, and from him came the renowned Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Maru, and his son was Pratīndhaka. From Pratīndhaka came the righteous king Kīrtiratha, whose son was Devamīḍha. Devamīḍha’s son was Vibudha, and Vibudha’s son was Mahīdhraka. Mahīdhraka’s son was the mighty Kīrtirāta, and from him came Mahāromā. Mahāromā’s son was the righteous Svarṇaromā, and from him was born Hrasvaromā. “Hrasvaromā, a king of great soul and wisdom, had two sons. I am the elder, and my valiant younger brother is Kuśadhvaja. My father anointed me as king and, entrusting the kingdom to me, went to the forest, installing Kuśadhvaja as ruler of another domain. When my aged father departed to heaven, I bore the duty righteously, always looking upon my brother Kuśadhvaja, who is equal to the gods, with affection. “Then, after some time, the powerful king Sudhanvā came from Sāṃkāśya and besieged Mithilā. He sent me a message, demanding the unrivaled bow of Śiva and Sītā, the lotus-eyed maiden. Because I did not give them, O great sage, there was a battle between us. In that fierce fight, I slew King Sudhanvā. Having slain him, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja as king in Sāṃkāśya. “This is my younger brother, and I am the elder, O great sage. With utmost joy, I give you both brides. May good fortune be yours; I give Sītā to Rāma, and Urmilā to Lakṣmaṇa—my daughter Sītā, equal to the daughters of the gods, won by prowess. And the second, Urmilā as well—I say it three times, there is no doubt—with utmost joy, I give you both brides. “O king, arrange for the gifting of cows for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and perform the ancestral rites; then, may good fortune be yours, conduct the wedding ceremony. Today is the constellation Maghā, O mighty-armed one, and on the third day, under the Uttara Phalgunī star, O king, perform the wedding; for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, make the auspicious gifts.” Thus begins the seventy-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. When King Janaka had spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra, together with Vasiṣṭha, addressed the valiant king: “The lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas, O best of men, are unfathomable and immeasurable; there is truly no one equal to them. The union of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with Sītā and Urmilā, O King, is fitting both in righteousness and in beauty. “And now, O foremost of men, hear my words: this is King Kuśadhvaja, my younger brother, who knows righteousness. To this righteous one, unmatched in beauty on earth, belong two daughters. O best of men, we seek them as wives. For your sons, Bharata and the wise Śatrughna, O King, I request these two daughters for those great souls.” Thus, with reverence and joy, the ancient houses of Ikṣvāku and Videha prepared to unite, their noble lineages and virtues shining forth, as the divine wedding of Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata, and Śatrughna with Sītā, Urmilā, and the daughters of Kuśadhvaja was set to take place.