# Bāla Kāṇḍa 67 — Vivāha: Envoys seek Daśaratha’s consent *Janaka’s envoys report Rāma’s feat in Ayodhyā, Daśaratha consults his priests and ministers and orders departure for Mithilā* Portion: The marriages at Mithilā · Verses: 19 · Ref format: 1.67. ## Sequence - After three nights on the road, Janaka's envoys reach Ayodhyā and are admitted to Daśaratha (67.1–3) - they convey Janaka's affectionate inquiries and explain that Rāma has fulfilled the condition for Sītā's marriage by breaking the divine bow (67.4–9) - Janaka asks Daśaratha's consent and invites him to Mithilā with his teachers and priest, both to arrange the marriage and to see his sons (67.10–13) - delighted that the brothers are safe under Viśvāmitra, Daśaratha consults Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his ministers → they approve the alliance → he orders departure for the next day (67.14–19). ## Verses **1.67.1** janakena samādiṣṭā dūtās te klāntavāhanāḥ trirātram uṣitvā mārge te 'yodhyāṃ prāviśan purīm The messengers commanded by Janaka, their mounts wearied, having spent three nights on the road, entered the city of Ayodhyā. **1.67.2** te rājavacanād dūtā rājaveśmapraveśitāḥ dadṛśur devasaṃkāśaṃ vṛddhaṃ daśarathaṃ nṛpam Those messengers, admitted into the royal palace by the king's word, beheld the aged king Daśaratha, who resembled a god. **1.67.3** baddhāñjalipuṭāḥ sarve dūtā vigatasādhvasāḥ rājānaṃ prayatā vākyam abruvan madhurākṣaram With hollowed palms joined, all the messengers, their fear gone, reverent, spoke a sweet-worded message to the king: **1.67.4** maithilo janako rājā sāgnihotrapuraskṛtaḥ kuśalaṃ cāvyayaṃ caiva sopādhyāyapurohitam “King Janaka of Mithilā, with the agnihotra fire before him, (asks after) your welfare and continued health, together with your teachers and priests, **1.67.5** muhur muhur madhurayā snehasaṃyuktayā girā janakas tvāṃ mahārāja pṛcchate sapuraḥsaram again and again, in a sweet voice full of affection, Janaka inquires after you, O great king, together with your retinue. **1.67.6** pṛṣṭvā kuśalam avyagraṃ vaideho mithilādhipaḥ kauśikānumate vākyaṃ bhavantam idam abravīt Having calmly inquired after (your) welfare, the Videha king, lord of Mithilā, with Kauśika's assent, said this word to your honor: **1.67.7** pūrvaṃ pratijñā viditā vīryaśulkā mamātmajā rājānaś ca kṛtāmarṣā nirvīryā vimukhīkṛtāḥ “My vow is already known — that my daughter's bride-price is valor; and the kings, made indignant, powerless, were turned away. **1.67.8** seyaṃ mama sutā rājan viśvāmitra puraḥsaraiḥ yadṛcchayāgatair vīrair nirjitā tava putrakaiḥ This daughter of mine, O king, has been won by your sons, heroes come here by chance, led by Viśvāmitra. **1.67.9** tac ca rājan dhanur divyaṃ madhye bhagnaṃ mahātmanā rāmeṇa hi mahārāja mahatyāṃ janasaṃsadi And that divine bow, O king, was broken in the middle by the great-souled Rāma, O great king, in a great assembly of people. **1.67.10** asmai deyā mayā sītā vīryaśulkā mahātmane pratijñāṃ tartum icchāmi tad anujñātum arhasi To this great-souled one, Sītā, whose bride-price was valor, is to be given by me; I wish to fulfill my vow — you should grant your consent to that. **1.67.11** sopādhyāyo mahārāja purohitapuraskṛtaḥ śīghram āgaccha bhadraṃ te draṣṭum arhasi rāghavau Together with your teachers, O great king, and with your family priest at the head, come quickly — blessings on you — you should see the two Rāghavas. **1.67.12** prītiṃ ca mama rājendra nirvartayitum arhasi putrayor ubhayor eva prītiṃ tvam api lapsyase And you should fulfill my joy, O king of kings; you too will gain the joy of both your sons.” **1.67.13** evaṃ videhādhipatir madhuraṃ vākyam abravīt viśvāmitrābhyanujñātaḥ śatānandamate sthitaḥ Thus the lord of Videha spoke his sweet message, sanctioned by Viśvāmitra and abiding by the counsel of Śatānanda. **1.67.14** dūtavākyaṃ tu tac chrutvā rājā paramaharṣitaḥ vasiṣṭhaṃ vāmadevaṃ ca mantriṇo 'nyāṃś ca so 'bravīt Hearing that message of the envoys, the king, exceedingly delighted, said to Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and his other ministers: **1.67.15** guptaḥ kuśikaputreṇa kausalyānandavardhanaḥ lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā videheṣu vasaty asau “Guarded by the son of Kuśika, he who increases Kausalyā's joy (Rāma), together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, is dwelling among the Videhas. **1.67.16** dṛṣṭavīryas tu kākutstho janakena mahātmanā saṃpradānaṃ sutāyās tu rāghave kartum icchati The valor of the Kākutstha having been witnessed, the great-souled Janaka wishes to make over his daughter to the Rāghava. **1.67.17** yadi vo rocate vṛttaṃ janakasya mahātmanaḥ purīṃ gacchāmahe śīghraṃ mā bhūt kālasya paryayaḥ If the conduct of the great-souled Janaka pleases you, let us go quickly to his city; let there be no lapse of time.” **1.67.18** mantriṇo bāḍham ity āhuḥ saha sarvair maharṣibhiḥ suprītaś cābravīd rājā śvo yātreti sa mantriṇaḥ The ministers, together with all the great seers, said, “Very well”; and the king, well pleased, said to his ministers, “The journey shall be tomorrow.” **1.67.19** mantriṇas tu narendrasya rātriṃ paramasatkṛtāḥ ūṣuḥ pramuditāḥ sarve guṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ samanvitāḥ And the king's ministers, most highly honored, all delighted and endowed with every virtue, passed the night.