There was once a king, renowned throughout the three worlds for his noble deeds, named Nimi. He was supremely righteous, the foremost among all beings. His son was Mithi, and from Mithi came Janaka—the first king Janaka. From Janaka was born Udāvasu, and Udāvasu’s son was Nandivardhana, who was himself righteous. Nandivardhana’s son was the mighty hero Suketu, and Suketu’s son was Devarāta, a royal sage known also as Bṛhadratha. Bṛhadratha’s son was the valiant and mighty Mahāvīra. Mahāvīra’s son was Sudhṛti, steadfast and courageous. From Sudhṛti came Dhṛṣṭaketu, righteous and of great virtue, and from Dhṛṣṭaketu was born the renowned royal sage Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Maru, whose son was Pratīndhaka, and Pratīndhaka was the father of the righteous king Kīrtiratha. Kīrtiratha’s son was Devamīḍha, and Devamīḍha’s son was Vibudha. From Vibudha came Mahīdhraka, and Mahīdhraka’s son was the mighty king Kīrtirāta. From Kīrtirāta, the royal sage, was born Mahāromā, and from Mahāromā came the righteous Svarṇaromā. Svarṇaromā’s son was Hrasvaromā, a king who was a knower of righteousness and great-souled. Hrasvaromā had two sons—I am the elder, and my valiant younger brother is Kuśadhvaja. My father anointed me, his eldest, as king, and, entrusting the burden of rule to me, he went to the forest, installing Kuśadhvaja as king elsewhere. When my aged father departed for 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 refused, O great sage, a battle erupted between us. In that fight, I slew King Sudhanvā, who faced me. Having slain Sudhanvā, the best of kings, O foremost sage, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja in Sāṃkāśya. This is my younger brother, and I am the elder, O great sage. With utmost joy, I give you both brides, O best of sages. 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 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, 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. Now, hear the seventy-second sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. When the king of Videha had spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra, together with Vasiṣṭha, addressed these words to 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 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 Viśvāmitra’s words and Vasiṣṭha’s counsel, Janaka, with joined palms, spoke to the two eminent sages: “I consider this lineage 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 done for me; I am your disciple as well. Here are the chief seats—please be seated, O foremost sages. As Ayodhyā is to Daśaratha, so is this city to me; there is no doubt in authority—please act as you see fit.” As Janaka of Videha spoke thus, Rāghava Daśaratha, delighted, replied to the lord of the earth.