Dasaratha Arrives in Mithila

King Dasaratha journeys to Mithila for his sons' marriages. King Janaka welcomes him warmly, setting the stage for the union of two great dynasties in the Ramayana.

Dasaratha's Preparations (Shlokas 1.69.1 - 1.69.5)

As night passed, King Dasaratha, accompanied by his spiritual preceptors and relatives, spoke to Sumantra (his charioteer and minister):

1. "Today, let all the treasury officers go ahead with abundant wealth and various gems.

2. The four divisions of the army should depart from all quarters at my command.

3. Prepare excellent chariots and palanquins for our journey.

4. Let the following brahmins (priests) depart in advance:

   • Vasishta

   • Vamadeva

   • Jabali

   • Kasyapa

   • Markandeya the long-lived

   • Sage Katyayana

5. Prepare my chariot without delay, as the messengers are urging me to hurry."

The Journey to Mithila (Shlokas 1.69.6 - 1.69.7)

At Dasaratha's command, the four-division army followed the king and the sages. They covered the four-day journey and arrived in the country of the Videhas (the kingdom ruled by Janaka). The auspicious King Janaka, upon hearing of their arrival, made arrangements to extend reverential hospitality.

Janaka's Welcome (Shlokas 1.69.8 - 1.69.12)

King Janaka, filled with joy, approached the aged King Dasaratha and experienced great delight. He addressed Dasaratha:

"Welcome, O great king, descendant of Raghu (an ancestor of Dasaratha's dynasty)! Fortunately, you have come. You will experience the pleasure of both your sons having won the reward for their prowess."

Janaka continued, "By the grace of God, the brilliant and adorable sage Vasishta has also arrived with the foremost of brahmins, like Indra (king of the gods) surrounded by deities."

He then expressed his satisfaction: "By heaven's grace, I have overcome all impediments, and my race has been honored through this alliance with the valorous house of the Raghus (Dasaratha's family)."

Finally, Janaka proposed, "O foremost of men, O best of kings, tomorrow at dawn, after the completion of the sacrifice, you should perform the marriage with the sages' approval."

Dasaratha's Response (Shlokas 1.69.13 - 1.69.15)

The eloquent King Dasaratha replied in the midst of sages:

"I have heard that accepting a gift from the righteous is a pleasure. So we will act upon your word, O knower of righteousness. Whatever you say, we will perform."

Janaka was filled with extreme admiration upon hearing Dasaratha's words, which conformed to morality and were conducive to fame.

The Night Before the Wedding (Shlokas 1.69.16 - 1.69.18)

All the sages, filled with great delight in each other's company, spent the night comfortably. King Dasaratha, overjoyed at being reunited with his sons Rama and Lakshmana, stayed there, highly honored by Janaka.

The mighty philosopher Janaka performed the sacrificial rites and spent the night with both his daughters where the ceremony was performed. Janaka's daughters were to be married to Dasaratha's sons the following day.

Thus ends the Sixty Ninth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.