When King Janaka had joyfully spoken, he turned to the sage and declared, “And Urmilā as well—the second daughter—I affirm this three times, without doubt. With utmost happiness, I give you both brides, O best of sages.” Then, addressing the king, he said, “Arrange for the gifting of cows for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and perform the ancestral rites. May good fortune be yours; then conduct the wedding ceremony.” He added, “Today is the auspicious constellation Maghā, O mighty-armed one. On the third day, beneath the Uttara Phalgunī star, O king, perform the wedding. For Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, make the auspicious gifts.” Now begins the seventy-second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. After Janaka had spoken thus, the great sages Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha addressed the valiant king. “O best of men,” they said, “the lineages of the Ikṣvākus and the Videhas are unfathomable and immeasurable; truly, there is no one equal to them. The union of Rāma with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa with Urmilā is most fitting—both in righteousness and in beauty. “Now, O foremost of men, listen further. Here is King Kuśadhvaja, my younger brother, who is well-versed in righteousness. To this noble one belong two daughters, unmatched in beauty on earth. O best of men, we seek them as wives for your sons, Bharata and the wise Śatrughna. These sons of Daśaratha, endowed with beauty and youth, are like the guardians of the world; their valor equals that of the gods. Let the noble house of Ikṣvāku, O king of righteous deeds, be joined without anxiety to your own by this alliance.” Hearing the words of Viśvāmitra and the counsel of Vasiṣṭha, Janaka, with hands joined in reverence, replied to the two eminent sages: “How blessed is this lineage, for whom you two, foremost among 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, palms joined, 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’s permission, Daśaratha, renowned for his greatness, proceeded swiftly, placing the two chief sages at the forefront. Upon reaching his residence, he performed the śrāddha ceremony according to the prescribed rites; rising early in the 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. In all, the supreme king gave four hundred thousand cows, adorned 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 these gifts 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 begins the seventy-third sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. On the very day when the king performed the supreme gifting of cows, the heroic Yudhājit arrived. He was the son of the king of Kekaya and the direct maternal uncle of Bharata. Having greeted the king and inquired after his welfare, Yudhājit spoke: “The king of Kekaya, out of affection, sends greetings of well-being; for those whose welfare you desire, he conveys that all is well. O king, my maternal uncle, the lord of the earth, wishes to see his sister’s son; for that purpose, I have come to Ayodhyā, O descendant of Raghu. Having heard that your sons have come to Mithilā for marriage, together with you, O king, I have come to Ayodhyā. I have hastened here, desiring to see the son of my sister.” King Daśaratha welcomed his dear guest with the highest hospitality, worthy of worship. Together with his noble sons, he spent the night there. Rising again in the morning, having performed the prescribed rites, the wise king, placing the sages at the forefront, went to the sacrificial enclosure. At the auspicious hour of victory, adorned with all ornaments, Rāma and his brothers performed the festive and auspicious rites. Placing Vasiṣṭha at the front, along with other great sages, the venerable Vasiṣṭha approached and spoke to the king of Videha, preparing for the sacred wedding ceremonies that would unite the noble houses in joy and righteousness.