The wedding altar was prepared with great care and devotion. Fragrant flowers were laid all around, golden vessels gleamed in the light, and decorated pots filled with tender sprouts adorned the sacred space. Bowls brimming with sprouts, incense vessels wafting sweet fragrances, conch vessels, ladles, garlands, and vessels for arghya and other offerings were set out and honored as prescribed. Vessels filled with fried grains and prepared rice were placed, and even darbha grass was spread, all accompanied by the proper recitation of mantras. Upon this beautifully adorned altar, the sacred fire was established, preceded by all the requisite rites and chants. The illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha then offered oblations into the fire, sanctifying the ceremony with his wisdom and presence. Sītā, adorned with every ornament, was brought forward and placed before the fire, facing Rāghava. At this auspicious moment, King Janaka addressed Rāma, the joy of Kausalyā: “This is Sītā, my daughter, your companion in righteousness. Accept her, good fortune to you; take her hand with your hand. She is devoted to her husband, greatly blessed, and will always follow you like a shadow.” Having spoken these words, Janaka poured water purified by mantras over their joined hands, as gods and sages exclaimed, “Well done, well done!” A great sound of divine drums arose, and flowers showered from the heavens. Thus, King Janaka gave his daughter Sītā to Rāma, sanctified with mantra-water. Overflowing with joy, Janaka then called to Lakshmana: “Come, good fortune to you; Urmila, whom I have prepared, is yours. Accept her hand; let not the proper time pass by.” He addressed Bharata as well: “O delight of the Raghus, take Mandavi’s hand with your own.” And to Shatrughna he said, “O mighty-armed one, take Shrutakirti’s hand with your own. All of you are gentle and steadfast in noble vows. May the Kakutsthas be with their wives; let not the proper time pass.” Hearing Janaka’s words, the four brothers joyfully joined hands with their brides. As directed by Vasishtha, the four couples circumambulated the fire, the altar, and King Janaka. The great-souled descendants of Raghu, together with their wives and the sages, performed the marriage rites as prescribed. A brilliant shower of flowers fell from the sky, accompanied by the sounds of divine drums, songs, and musical instruments. Companies of Apsaras danced, and Gandharvas sang sweet melodies, filling the air with wonder at the wedding of the foremost Raghus. Amidst the resounding music, the newly married couples circled the fire three times and then led their wives away. The descendants of Raghu, with their wives, proceeded to the resting place, followed by King Janaka, the assembly of sages, and relatives, all watching with contentment. As dawn broke, the seventy-fourth sarga began. The great sage Vishvamitra, having taken leave of the two kings, departed for the northern mountains. When Vishvamitra had gone, King Dasharatha, after bidding farewell to the king of Videha, swiftly returned to his city. King Janaka, lord of Mithila, bestowed abundant bridal gifts: hundreds of thousands of cows, fine woolen blankets, silks, millions of garments, elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, all adorned and of divine appearance. He gave a hundred maidens, each with excellent male and female servants, along with gold, refined gold, pearls, and coral. Greatly delighted, Janaka gave incomparable gifts, and after bestowing all these, he took leave of Dasharatha. Janaka entered his own city, Mithilā, while Dasharatha, the ruler of Ayodhyā, set forth with his noble sons. Placing all the sages at the forefront, Dasharatha proceeded with his army, accompanied by the assembly of sages and Rāma. As they traveled, ominous signs appeared: terrifying birds uttered cries all around, and the animals of the earth began to move in circles. Observing this, Dasharatha, the tiger among kings, questioned Vasiṣṭha: “These birds are grim, and the animals are circling. What is this that makes my heart tremble, and my mind sink?” Vasiṣṭha replied with sweet words: “Hear the result of this omen. A dreadful danger has arisen, divine, emanating from the mouths of birds. These animals are calming, let distress be abandoned.” As they spoke, the wind suddenly arose, shaking the earth and causing great trees to fall. The sun was covered by darkness, and none could discern the directions. Everything was blanketed with ash, and the whole army seemed bewildered. Only Vasiṣṭha, the other sages, and the king with his sons remained conscious; all others seemed insensible in that terrible darkness. Amidst this, Dasharatha saw a mighty being, bearing a mass of matted hair—the Bhārgava, son of Jamadagni, destroyer of kings. Unassailable like Kailāsa, unbearable like the fire of time, blazing with radiance, he was impossible for ordinary people to behold. With an axe slung over his shoulder, a bow like a cluster of lightning, and grasping a fierce arrow, he appeared as formidable as Śiva who destroyed Tripura.