After some time had passed, a powerful king named Sudhanvā arrived from Sāṃkāśya and laid siege to the city of Mithilā. He sent a bold message to King Janaka, demanding both the unrivaled bow of Śiva and Sītā, the lotus-eyed maiden. Janaka, steadfast in his resolve, refused to yield either the sacred bow or his beloved daughter. This refusal led to a fierce battle between the two kings. In that confrontation, Janaka faced Sudhanvā directly and slew him on the field of battle. Having overcome Sudhanvā, Janaka, who was renowned as the best among kings, turned his attention to his younger brother, Kuśadhvaja. Out of affection and duty, he anointed Kuśadhvaja as king in Sāṃkāśya, thus ensuring the stability of both kingdoms. Addressing the great sage before him, Janaka spoke with joy: “This is my younger brother, while I am the elder. With utmost happiness, O best of sages, I offer you both brides.” He continued with reverence and delight, “May good fortune be yours. I give Sītā, my daughter—who is equal to the daughters of the gods and was won by prowess—to Rāma, and Urmilā to Lakṣmaṇa. And again, let it be clear and without doubt: I joyfully give Urmilā as well. Three times I say it, O best of sages—both brides are yours to bestow.” Janaka then instructed, “O king, arrange for the gifting of cows for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and perform the ancestral rites. Then, with all auspiciousness, conduct the wedding ceremony. Today is the constellation Maghā, and on the third day, under the Uttara Phalgunī star, let the wedding be performed; make the auspicious gifts for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.” At this moment, the seventy-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, begins. When Janaka had thus spoken, the great sage Viśvāmitra, together with Vasiṣṭha, addressed the valiant king. They praised the lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas as immeasurable and unmatched, declaring that no one could equal them. The union of Rāma with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa with Urmilā, they affirmed, was most fitting in both righteousness and beauty. Viśvāmitra then spoke further: “O King, listen to my words. Here is King Kuśadhvaja, your younger brother, who is righteous and wise. To him belong two daughters, unmatched in beauty upon the earth. We seek these maidens as wives for your sons, Bharata and the wise Śatrughna.” He continued, “These sons of Daśaratha, youthful and radiant, are equal to the guardians of the world in valor and grace. Let the noble house of Ikṣvāku be joined to yours without anxiety through this alliance.” Hearing the counsel of these eminent sages, Janaka, with hands joined in reverence, replied, “I consider our lineage truly blessed, for you, the foremost of sages, command such a fitting alliance. So be it—may it be auspicious! Let the daughters of Kuśadhvaja become the wives of Śatrughna and Bharata.” He added, “On a single day, 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 have praised.” Having spoken these gentle words, King Janaka rose and respectfully invited the sages to be seated, declaring, “A supreme righteousness has been done for me; I am your disciple. 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 your authority—please act as you see fit.” As Janaka finished speaking, King Daśaratha, delighted, replied, “You two brothers, kings of Mithilā, are youthful and virtuous. Sages and assemblies of kings have been honored by your hospitality. May you attain well-being and prosperity; we shall now return to our abode and perform the ancestral rites as prescribed.” With the sages Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha at the forefront, King Daśaratha returned to his residence. There, he performed the śrāddha ceremony according to sacred rites. Rising early the next morning, he carried out the most excellent gifting of cows, giving one hundred thousand cows to the Brahmins for each of his sons, all individually. In total, the supreme king gave four hundred thousand cows, each adorned with golden horns, accompanied by calves, and fit for milking with bronze vessels. Along with the gifting of cows, Daśaratha, ever affectionate toward his sons, bestowed abundant wealth upon the twice-born. Surrounded by his sons, who had performed the gifting, Daśaratha shone with the radiance of Prajāpati himself, encircled by the guardians of the worlds. At this point, the seventy-third sarga of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, begins. On the very day the king performed this supreme gifting, the heroic Yudhājit arrived. He was the son of the king of Kekaya and the maternal uncle of Bharata. After greeting the king and inquiring after his welfare, Yudhājit conveyed a message: “The king of Kekaya, out of affection, sends his greetings and wishes you well. He desires to see his sister’s son, Bharata, and for this purpose, O descendant of Raghu, I have come to Ayodhyā.