From the noble lineage of Mithilā, Mahāromā begot the righteous Svarṇaromā, and from this royal sage was born Hrasvaromā. Hrasvaromā, a king of great soul and deep understanding of righteousness, had two sons—myself, the elder, and my valiant younger brother, Kuśadhvaja. In time, our father anointed me as king, entrusting me with the kingdom, and then, having installed Kuśadhvaja as well, he departed to the forest. When our aged father left this world for the heavens, I ruled the kingdom with justice, always regarding my brother Kuśadhvaja, who is equal to the gods, with deep affection. Then, after some time, a powerful king named 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 yield to his demands, O great sage, a battle ensued. In that fight, I faced Sudhanvā and slew him. Having slain Sudhanvā, the best of kings, I anointed my heroic brother Kuśadhvaja as king in Sāṃkāśya. Thus, O great sage, I am the elder, and this is my younger brother. With utmost joy, I now offer both brides to you, 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, listen to the seventy-second sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. When King Janaka 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 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. 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, King Daśaratha, delighted, replied 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 asked the king, then King Daśaratha, renowned for his greatness, proceeded swiftly, placing those two chief sages at the forefront. The king, having reached his residence, performed the śrāddha ceremony according to the prescribed rites; rising early in the morning, he carried out the finest gifting of cows. The ruler of men, for the sake of his sons and in accordance with dharma, gave to the Brahmins one hundred thousand cows, each individually. The supreme man gave four hundred thousand cows, furnished with golden horns, with calves, and fit for milking with bronze vessels. Raghunandana, affectionate toward his sons, gave much wealth besides to the twice-born, offering the gifting of cows for the sake of his sons. Then the king, surrounded by his sons who had performed the gifting of cows, shone like the gentle Prajāpati surrounded by the guardians of the worlds. Now, hear the seventy-third sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa.