As the auspicious moment of the marriage approached, the wise sage Vasiṣṭha, renowned for his generosity and deep understanding of dharma, addressed King Janaka. He spoke of the fulfillment that arises from both the giver and the receiver, urging Janaka to follow his duty and perform this excellent marriage ceremony. Janaka, illumined by Vasiṣṭha’s words, responded with humility and warmth. He declared that there was no need for further deliberation or waiting in his household, for all preparations had been completed. His daughters stood ready at the altar, radiant as blazing flames, and he himself awaited the sages at the altar, eager for the ceremony to proceed without delay. Upon hearing Janaka’s earnest words, King Daśaratha brought forth his sons and the assembled sages. Janaka then requested Vasiṣṭha, the righteous sage, to perform all the rites together with the other sages, especially for the marriage of Rāma, the delight of the world. Vasiṣṭha agreed, and, placing Viśvāmitra and Śatānanda at the forefront, began to construct the altar in the center of the pavilion. The altar was adorned beautifully with fragrant flowers, golden vessels, and decorated pots containing sprouts. Bowls filled with sprouts, vessels of incense, conch shells, ladles, garlands, and vessels for arghya and other offerings were arranged and honored as prescribed. Vasiṣṭha also placed vessels filled with fried grains and prepared rice, spreading darbha grass properly, all accompanied by the recitation of sacred mantras. With the fire established on the altar, Vasiṣṭha performed the preliminary rites and offered oblations with reverence. Then, Sītā, adorned with splendid ornaments, was brought forward and placed before the fire, facing Rāma. King Janaka, his heart overflowing, addressed Rāma, the joy of Kausalyā. He presented Sītā as his daughter, Rāma’s companion in righteousness, and urged him to accept her hand. Janaka described Sītā as devoted to her husband, greatly blessed, and ever faithful, following Rāma like a shadow. Having spoken these words, Janaka poured water purified by mantras upon their hands, as gods and sages acclaimed, “Well done, well done!” From the heavens arose a great sound of divine drums and a shower of flowers, sanctifying the union of Sītā and Rāma. Filled with joy, Janaka then called Lakshmana, inviting him to accept Urmila, whom he had prepared as Lakshmana’s bride. He urged Lakshmana not to let the auspicious moment pass. Janaka then addressed Bharata, asking him to take Mandavi’s hand, and spoke to Shatrughna, inviting him to accept Shrutakirti. He praised all four princes for their gentleness and steadfastness in noble vows, wishing them good fortune. With Janaka’s blessings, the four sons of Daśaratha joined hands with their brides, as directed by Vasiṣṭha. They circumambulated the fire, the altar, and the king, performing the prescribed marriage rites. The great-souled descendants of Raghu, together with their wives and the sages, completed the ceremony as tradition dictated. From the sky, a radiant shower of flowers fell, accompanied by the sounds of divine drums, songs, and instruments. Apsaras danced, Gandharvas sang sweet melodies, and all witnessed the wondrous wedding of the foremost Raghus. As the music resounded and the ceremony concluded, the four princes, after circumambulating the fire three times, led their wives away. The descendants of Raghu, with their brides, went to their resting place, followed by the king, the assembly of sages, and relatives, all watching with joy. With this, the seventy-fourth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, begins. When night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra took leave of both kings and departed for the northern mountains. After Viśvāmitra’s departure, King Daśaratha, bidding farewell to King Janaka, swiftly returned to his city. King Janaka, in celebration, bestowed abundant bridal gifts. He gave hundreds of thousands of cows, fine woolen blankets, silks, and millions of garments. Elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, all adorned and of divine appearance, were gifted. He also presented a hundred maidens, each accompanied by excellent male and female servants, along with gold, refined gold, pearls, and coral. Delighted, Janaka gave incomparable gifts and, having completed the giving, took leave of Daśaratha. The lord of Mithilā then entered his own city, while Daśaratha, the ruler of Ayodhyā, with his noble sons, placed the sages at the forefront and proceeded homeward with his army. As Daśaratha journeyed with the assembly of sages and Rāma, ominous signs appeared: terrifying birds uttered cries all around, and the animals of the earth began to move in circles. Observing this, Daśaratha, the tiger among kings, questioned Vasiṣṭha about the meaning of these grim omens.