Janaka, with hands respectfully joined, addressed the assembled sages. “May all be well with you,” he began, his voice warm with reverence. “You are worthy to hear the account of our lineage, for in the sacred matter of giving a daughter in marriage, it is proper that one born in the family should declare its descent. Listen, O wise one, as I recount our ancestry.” “There was once a king, famed throughout the three worlds for his deeds, named Nimi. He was supremely righteous and foremost among all beings. His son was Mithi; from Mithi came Janaka, the first king of that name. From him was born Udāvasu. Udāvasu’s son was the righteous Nandivardhana, whose son was the heroic Suketu. From Suketu came Devarāta, both righteous and mighty, known also as Bṛhadratha, the royal sage. “Bṛhadratha’s son was the valiant Mahāvīra, whose son was Sudhṛti, steadfast and truly courageous. From Sudhṛti descended the virtuous Dhṛṣṭaketu, and from him, the royal sage Haryaśva, renowned in his time. Haryaśva’s son was Maru, and Maru’s son was Pratīndhaka. From Pratīndhaka came the righteous king Kīrtiratha. Kīrtiratha’s son was Devamīḍha, whose son was Vibudha, and from Vibudha was born Mahīdhraka. “Mahīdhraka’s son was the mighty king Kīrtirāta, and from him came Mahāromā. Mahāromā’s son was the righteous Svarṇaromā, and from him was born the royal sage Hrasvaromā. Hrasvaromā, a knower of righteousness and great-souled king, had two sons: I am the elder, and my valiant younger brother is Kuśadhvaja. “My father, Hrasvaromā, anointed me as king and, entrusting the kingdom to me, retired to the forest, installing my brother Kuśadhvaja as the ruler of another realm. When my aged father departed this world, I bore the responsibilities of the throne righteously, always holding my brother Kuśadhvaja, who is equal to the gods, in deep affection. “After some time, the powerful king Sudhanvā from Sāṃkāśya came and besieged Mithilā. He sent me a message, demanding the unrivaled bow of Śiva and Sītā, the lotus-eyed maiden. Because I did not yield to his demand, O great sage, a fierce battle ensued between us. In that fight, I slew King Sudhanvā with my own hand. Having vanquished him, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja as king in Sāṃkāśya. “This, O great sage, is my younger brother, and I am the elder. With utmost joy, I offer you both brides. May good fortune attend you! I give Sītā to Rāma, and Urmilā to Lakṣmaṇa—my daughter Sītā, equal to the daughters of the gods, won by her own prowess. And Urmilā as well—I declare it three times, without doubt—with utmost joy, I give you both brides, O best of sages. “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; on the third day, under the Uttara Phalgunī star, O king, perform the wedding. Let the auspicious gifts be made for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.” Now 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 these words to the valiant king: “O best of men, the lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas are unfathomable, immeasurable. Truly, there are none equal to them. The union of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with Sītā and Urmilā, O King, is fitting in both righteousness and 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. “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. Let the noble house of Ikṣvāku, O king of righteous deeds, be joined without anxiety to yours by this alliance.” Hearing the words of Viśvāmitra and the counsel of Vasiṣṭha, Janaka, with hands joined in humility, spoke to the two eminent sages: “I consider this lineage truly blessed, for whom you two foremost sages yourselves command such a fitting alliance. So be it—may it be auspicious for you! Let these daughters of Kuśadhvaja become the wives of both Śatrughna and Bharata together. “On a single day, O great sage, let the four mighty princes take the hands of the four royal maidens. On the following day, O Brāhmaṇa, the wise praise the marriage ceremony under the Phalgunī stars, when Bhaga and Prajāpati preside.” Having spoken these gentle words, King Janaka rose with joined palms and addressed both eminent sages: “A supreme righteousness has been accomplished for me; I am your disciple as well. Here are the chief seats—please be seated, O foremost sages.