RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 71
Janaka spoke to Vasishtha, “Hail to you! Great sage! It is necessary for one who gives his child in marriage to proclaim his ancestry. So do me the favour to listen while I proclaim my lineage.
There lived a king, by name, Nimi. He was a pattern of everything good and holy. He won for himself immortal fame in all the worlds. Mithi was his son. He gave his name to the Mithila. He was the founder of Mithila. He was the first to bear the name of Janaka. After him Udavasu, Nandivardhana, Suketu, Devarata, Brihandratha, Mahavira, Sudhriti, Dhrishtaketu, Haryasva, Maru, Pratindhaka, Kiritiratha, Devamidha, Viudha, Mahindhraka, Kirtiratha, Maharoma, Svarnaroma, and Hrasvaroma ruled in succession.
And to the last of were born two sons; myself and my valiant brother, Kusadhvaja.
After a long and happy reign, my father placed me in his seat. And he sought the quiet solitude of the forest. When my father departed, I ruled over the land. I trod the path of justice even as my ancestors.
Sometime after, Sudhanava of Sankasya besieged Mithila. He sent me this insulting message. “Don’t fail to send me the bow of Siva which you have in keeping. And send your lotus-eyed daughter, Sita along with it.” Of course, we could not put up with this ungracious demand. And I went forth to meet him in battle and laid him low. Kusadhvaja assisted me in the battle. So I made my brother king of Sudhanava. I will give my daughters in marriage to your sons. I will give Sita of godlike beauty to Rama. And Urmila is the sister of Sita. I will give her to Lakshmana. You have my hand and word upon it. Do not doubt me. It is a pleasure and to me and an honour to give my girls into your house. So, let us lose no time in going through the preliminary rites of marriage. Samavartana and Nandi Sraddhas should be performed. The constellation Magha rules over this day. And on the third day from this shall we perform the marriage under Uttara Phalguni.”
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