In the assembly of kings and sages, the illustrious lineage of Ikṣvāku was recounted with reverence and pride. From the noble Bhagiratha, famed for bringing the sacred Gaṅgā to earth, came Kakutstha. Kakutstha begot Raghu, and in turn, Raghu was the father of the renowned Pravridha, who was known as the devourer of men. From Pravridha came Kalmashapada; Kalmashapada's son was Shankhana, and Shankhana was succeeded by Sudarshana. Sudarshana's son was Agnivarṇa, who begot Shighraga. Shighraga fathered Maru, and Maru's son was Prashushruka. From Prashushruka came Ambarisha, whose son was the king Nahuṣa. Nahuṣa's son was Yayāti, and Yayāti's son was Nābhāga. Nābhāga was the father of Aja, and Aja begot Dasharatha. From Dasharatha were born the illustrious brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. This ancient and pure line of kings, supremely righteous and born of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, stood as heroes and speakers of truth. For the sake of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, it was proposed to seek the hand of the princess, urging that she be given to those who are her equals, those worthy in every way. As the tale continued, the seventy-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, was introduced. King Janaka, with joined palms, responded warmly, "May it be well with you. You are worthy to hear the account of our lineage." He explained that, in the matter of giving a daughter, the lineage must be fully declared by one born in the family. Janaka began: "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 Janaka was the son of Mithi—the first king Janaka. From him came Udāvasu, who was succeeded by the righteous Nandivardhana. Nandivardhana's son was the mighty Suketu, and from Suketu was born the righteous and mighty Devarāta, also known as Bṛhadratha. Bṛhadratha's son was Mahāvīra, valiant and mighty, whose son was Sudhṛti, steadfast and courageous. Sudhṛti's son was the righteous Dhṛṣṭaketu, and from Dhṛṣṭaketu came the renowned royal sage Haryaśva. Haryaśva's son was Maru, whose son was Pratīndhaka. Pratīndhaka was succeeded by 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 king Kīrtirāta, and from him came Mahāromā. Mahāromā was succeeded by the righteous Svarṇaromā, whose son was Svarṇaromā. From Svarṇaromā came Hrasvaromā, the knower of righteousness and great-souled king. Hrasvaromā had two sons: Janaka, the elder, and Kuśadhvaja, the valiant younger brother. Janaka explained, "My father anointed me as king and, entrusting the burden to me, went to the forest, installing Kuśadhvaja. 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." Janaka then spoke of a challenge: "After some time, King Sudhanvā from Sāṃkāśya besieged Mithilā, demanding the unrivaled bow of Śiva and Sītā, the lotus-eyed maiden. Because I did not give them, a battle ensued, and I slew King Sudhanvā. Having slain him, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja in Sāṃkāśya." With joy and humility, Janaka declared, "This is my younger brother, and I am the elder. 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." Janaka then instructed, "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, and on the third day, under the Uttara Phalgunī star, perform the wedding; for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, make the auspicious gifts." As the seventy-second sarga was introduced, 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." Viśvāmitra continued, "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. We seek them as wives for your sons, Bharata and the wise Śatrughna. These sons of Daśaratha, endowed with beauty and youth, are all equal to the guardians of the world, their valor like that of the gods." Thus, the noble lineages were declared, the virtues and worthiness of the sons and daughters established, and the joyous union of the families prepared, all in accordance with dharma and tradition.