When the sacred wedding hour approached, King Janaka addressed Rama with deep reverence, saying, “Accept her hand, take her hand; let not the proper time pass by.” Having thus spoken to Rama, Janaka turned to Bharata as well and said, “O delight of the Raghus, take Mandavi’s hand with your own.” Then, the virtuous king of Mithila addressed Shatrughna: “O mighty-armed one, take Shrutakirti’s hand with your own.” He praised all four brothers, saying, “You are gentle and steadfast in noble vows. May the Kakutsthas be with their wives; let not the proper time pass.” Heeding Janaka’s words, the four princes of the Raghu line joined hands with the daughters of Mithila. As directed by the sage Vasishtha, the four brothers stood with their brides, and together they circumambulated the sacred fire, the altar, and the king. Thus, the great-souled descendants of Raghu, with their wives and the assembled sages, performed the marriage as prescribed by sacred tradition. At that auspicious moment, a radiant shower of flowers fell from the heavens, accompanied by the sounds of celestial drums, divine songs, and melodious instruments. Companies of Apsaras danced, and the Gandharvas sang sweetly, filling the air with wonder at the wedding of the foremost Raghus. Amidst the resounding music, the mighty princes, after circling the fire three times, led their brides away. Thereafter, the descendants of Raghu, with their wives, retired to their resting place, followed by the king, the assembly of sages, and relatives, who watched with joy and reverence. When night had passed, the great sage Vishvamitra, having taken leave of both kings, departed for the northern mountains. With Vishvamitra’s departure, King Dasharatha, after bidding farewell to the king of Videha, prepared to return swiftly to his own city. Before they parted, the king of Videha bestowed abundant bridal gifts—hundreds of thousands of cows, fine woolen blankets, silks, and millions of garments. He gave elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, all adorned and of divine appearance. He also presented a hundred maidens, each attended by excellent male and female servants, along with gold, refined gold, pearls, and coral. Greatly delighted, the king of Mithila gave these incomparable gifts, and after offering many kinds of treasures, took leave of King Dasharatha. The lord of Mithila then entered his own city, while the king of Ayodhya, with his noble sons, placed all the sages at the forefront and set forth with his army. As the tiger among men proceeded with the assembly of sages and Rama, ominous signs appeared: terrifying birds cried out all around, and the animals of the earth began to move in circles. Observing these portents, King Dasharatha asked 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, replied with gentle words, “Let the result of this be heard. A dreadful danger has arisen, divine, emanating from the mouths of birds. Yet these animals are calming; let distress be abandoned.” As they spoke, a fierce wind arose, shaking the earth and causing great trees to fall. The sun was veiled in darkness, and all directions were lost to sight. Everything became covered in ash, and the whole army was bewildered. Only Vasishtha, the other sages, the king, and his sons seemed conscious, while all else appeared insensible in that terrible gloom. In the midst of this darkness, the king beheld a mighty being, bearing a mass of matted hair—Bhargava, the son of Jamadagni, destroyer of kings. He stood unassailable like Mount Kailasa, unbearable like the fire of time, blazing with radiance beyond the gaze of ordinary men. An axe was slung over his shoulder, a bow like a cluster of lightning in his hand, and he grasped a fierce arrow, resembling Shiva who destroyed Tripura. Seeing this formidable figure, the sages led by Vasishtha, devoted to recitation and sacrifice, gathered together and spoke among themselves: “Will he, angered by his father’s killing, again destroy the warrior class? Yet, having previously slain the warriors, his anger and fever are gone; he does not intend to destroy the warriors again.” Having thus spoken, the sages approached Bhargava with offerings and addressed him with sweet words, saying, “Rama, Rama!” Honored by the sages, the powerful Rama, son of Jamadagni, spoke to Rama, son of Dasharatha. He said, “O Rama, son of Dasharatha, 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, taking up another auspicious bow. Here is this formidable and mighty bow of Jamadagnya; string it with an arrow and show your strength. When I have seen your strength in stringing even this bow, I shall grant you a duel, for I wish to test your celebrated valor.