From the noble lineage of Mithilā, Mahīdhraka’s son was the mighty king Kīrtirāta, and from the royal sage Kīrtirāta was born Mahāromā. Mahāromā’s son was Svarṇaromā, righteous and wise, and from Svarṇaromā came Hrasvaromā, a king of great soul and deep knowledge of dharma. Hrasvaromā had two sons—myself, the elder, and my valiant younger brother, Kuśadhvaja. When the time came, my father, the aged king, anointed me, the elder, as king and entrusted the responsibilities of the kingdom to me. Having thus performed his duty, my father withdrew to the forest, installing Kuśadhvaja as ruler elsewhere. Upon my father’s departure from this world, I bore the royal duty righteously, always regarding my brother Kuśadhvaja, who was as virtuous as the gods, with the utmost affection. In due course, a powerful king named Sudhanvā came from Sāṃkāśya and besieged Mithilā. He sent a message demanding the unrivaled bow of Śiva and Sītā, the lotus-eyed maiden. Because I did not yield to his demand, a great battle ensued between us. In that fierce encounter, I slew King Sudhanvā. Having vanquished him, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja as king in Sāṃkāśya. Thus, O revered sage, Kuśadhvaja is my younger brother, and I am the elder. With great joy, I now offer to you both brides. May good fortune be yours! I give Sītā, my daughter—equal to the daughters of the gods and won by prowess—to Rāma, and Urmilā to Lakṣmaṇa. And likewise, Urmilā, my second daughter—I say this three times, with no doubt—both maidens I joyfully give to you, O best of sages. O king, arrange for the gifting of cows for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and perform the ancestral rites. Then, with auspiciousness, conduct the wedding ceremony. Today is the constellation Maghā; on the third day, under the Uttara Phalgunī star, perform the wedding for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, making the proper auspicious gifts. Now, hear the seventy-second sarga in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. When King Janaka of Videha had spoken thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra, together with Vasiṣṭha, addressed the valiant king: “O best of men, the lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas are unfathomable and immeasurable; truly, there is no one equal to them. The union of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with Sītā and Urmilā is most fitting, both in righteousness and in beauty. “And now, O foremost of men, hear further: this is King Kuśadhvaja, my younger brother, who knows righteousness. To him, 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, those great souls. These sons of Daśaratha, endowed with beauty and youth, are 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 with yours by this alliance, free from all anxiety.” Hearing these words from Viśvāmitra and the counsel of Vasiṣṭha, Janaka, with hands joined in reverence, spoke to the two eminent sages: “I consider this lineage blessed, for whom you, the foremost of sages, yourself command such a fitting alliance. So be it—may it be auspicious! Let the daughters of Kuśadhvaja become the wives of both Śatrughna and Bharata. “On a single day, O great sage, let the four mighty princes take the hands of the four royal maidens. On the following day, under the Phalgunī stars, when Bhaga and Prajāpati preside, let the marriage ceremony be performed, as the wise praise.” Having spoken these gentle words, King Janaka rose with joined palms and addressed the two 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, Daśaratha, the scion of the Raghu line, replied with delight to the lord of the earth: “You two brothers, kings of Mithilā, are young and possess countless virtues; sages and assemblies of kings have been honored by you both. May you attain well-being and prosperity. We shall return to our abode and duly perform the ancestral rites.” Having thus spoken with the king, Daśaratha, renowned for his greatness, proceeded swiftly, placing the two chief sages, Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha, at the forefront. Upon reaching his residence, the king performed the śrāddha ceremony according to prescribed rites. Rising early the next morning, he carried out the finest gifting of cows. For the sake of his sons and in accordance with dharma, the ruler of men gave to the Brahmins one hundred thousand cows, each individually. Altogether, the supreme man gave four hundred thousand cows, furnished with golden horns, each with a calf and suitable for milking with bronze vessels. Daśaratha, affectionate toward his sons, bestowed much wealth besides upon the twice-born, offering the gifting of cows for their sake. Thus, surrounded by his sons who had performed the gifting of cows, the king shone resplendent, like the gentle Prajāpati encircled by the guardians of the worlds.