King Janaka, his heart overflowing with joy, called out to Lakshmana, blessing him and inviting him forward: “Lakshmana, come, good fortune to you; Urmila, whom I have prepared, is yours.” He urged Lakshmana to accept Urmila’s hand, mindful that the auspicious moment should not slip by. Turning then to Bharata, Janaka addressed him warmly, “O delight of the Raghus, take Mandavi’s hand with your own.” The virtuous king of Mithila then spoke to Shatrughna, “O mighty-armed one, take Shrutakirti’s hand with your own.” He praised the gentle and steadfast nature of all four princes, and wished that the Kakutsthas, the sons of King Dasharatha, be united with their wives without delay. Hearing Janaka’s words, the four princes—Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna—joined hands with their brides, as directed by the sage Vasishtha. Together, the couples circumambulated the sacred fire, the altar, and King Janaka himself, fulfilling the rites of marriage. The noble descendants of Raghu, alongside their wives and the gathered sages, performed the marriage ceremonies as prescribed by tradition. As the rites were completed, a wondrous shower of radiant flowers descended from the heavens, accompanied by the sounds of celestial drums, songs, and musical instruments. Companies of Apsaras danced gracefully, and Gandharvas sang sweet melodies, filling the air with joy and marvel at the wedding of the foremost Raghus. Amidst the resounding music, the mighty princes, having circled the fire three times, led their brides away. The newly wedded couples proceeded to their resting place, followed by King Janaka, the assembly of sages, and relatives, who watched with admiration and affection. Now begins the seventy-fourth sarga of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, in the Balakanda. When the night had passed, the great sage Vishvamitra took leave of the two kings and departed for the northern mountains. With Vishvamitra gone, King Dasharatha, after bidding farewell to King Janaka, swiftly returned toward his city. King Janaka, wishing to honor the occasion, 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 also presented. He gave a hundred maidens, each accompanied by excellent male and female servants, along with gold, refined gold, pearls, and coral. Greatly delighted, Janaka gave gifts beyond compare, and after presenting these many treasures, he took leave of King Dasharatha. Janaka returned to Mithila, his own city, while Dasharatha, accompanied by his noble sons, placed all the sages at the forefront and began his journey home, escorted by his army. As the tiger among men proceeded with the sages and Rama, ominous signs appeared: terrifying birds cried out all around, and animals began circling in strange patterns. Noticing these unsettling omens, Dasharatha questioned Vasishtha, “These birds are grim, and the animals are circling. What is this that makes my heart tremble and my mind sink?” Vasishtha, the great sage, responded with sweet words, “Let the result of this be heard. A dreadful danger has arisen, divine in origin, revealed by the cries of the birds. Yet these animals are calming, so let distress be abandoned.” As they spoke, a fierce wind arose, shaking the earth and causing great trees to fall. Darkness covered the sun, obscuring all directions. Ash blanketed everything, bewildering the army. Vasishtha, the other sages, the king, and his sons remained conscious amid the darkness, while all others seemed insensible. In the midst of this terrible gloom, Dasharatha saw a figure resembling a mighty being, bearing a mass of matted hair—the formidable Bhargava, son of Jamadagni, destroyer of kings. He stood unassailable like Mount Kailasa, unbearable like the fire of time, blazing with radiance, impossible for ordinary people to behold. An axe was slung over his shoulder, a bow like a cluster of lightning in his hand, and he grasped a fierce arrow, reminiscent of Shiva who destroyed Tripura. Seeing this blazing figure, the sages led by Vasishtha, devoted to recitation and sacrifice, gathered and whispered among themselves, “Will he, angered by his father’s killing, again destroy the warrior class?” But they reassured themselves, “Having previously slain the warriors, his anger and fever are gone; he does not intend to destroy the warriors again.” Having spoken thus, the sages took offerings and addressed Bhargava, whose appearance was terrifying, with sweet words: “Rama, Rama!” Receiving the honor given by the sages, the powerful Rama, son of Jamadagni, spoke to Rama, son of Dasharatha. Now begins the seventy-fifth sarga. Bhargava addressed Rama, son of Dasharatha, saying, “O Rama, valiant one, your extraordinary prowess is renowned; I have also heard in detail of your breaking the bow. That wondrous and inconceivable breaking of the bow—having heard of it, I have come here, bringing another auspicious bow. Here is this formidable and mighty bow of Jamadagnya; string it with an arrow and show your strength.