||om tat sat ||

जनकेन समादिष्टा दूतास्ते क्लांतवाहनाः ।
त्रिरात्रमुषिता मार्गे ते अयोध्यायां प्राविशन् पुरीम् ॥

The messengers thus ordered by Janaka stopping on the way at nights for three days entered Ayodhya with tired vehicles.

Balakanda
Sixty eighth Sarga

The messengers thus ordered by Janaka to inform and invite King Dasaratha travelled for three days stopping on the way at night. They entered Ayodhya with tired horses.

Reaching the kings palace they spoke to the gatekeepers as follows."Inform the King immediately that messengers from Janaka have come." The gate keepers having been told so went to tell the scion of Raghu. With the permission of the King , the messengers entered the kings palace and saw old king Dasaratha who is equal to Devas.

The messengers relieved of anxiety on seeing the pious and old King addressed all with folded hands and sweet words.
"Janaka the king of Mithila is enquiring about the welfare of the king Dasaratha who is known for fire rituals along with his priests and Gurus. Oh King Dasaratha ! With sweet words full of friendship Janaka is again and again enquiring about your welfare. The King of Mithila having enquired your welfare , and with the permission of venerable sage Viswamitra conveyed the following to you. 'That earlier we had taken a vow to offer Sita only to the most valiant hero is known. Many kings tried and returned unsuccessful. Oh Rajan ! Fortunately the the two valiant sons of yours who followed Viswamitra won over my daughter. Oh Rajan ! In front of many great people Rama has broken that celestial bow in the middle.
I would like to keep my vow of giving Sita to the valorous man by giving her to him. I request your permission.
Oh King! May everything be auspicious. Please come soon along with your priests and gurus. You can see Rama and Lakshmana. Oh Best of Kings ! Please accept our request. You can share in the happiness of you two children'. Thus spoke Janaka with sweet words with the permission of Viswamitra and as per the direction of Satananda".

Hearing that message of the messengers King Dasaratha was very happy. He spoke to Vasishta , Vamadeva and other ministers. "The son of Kausalya and brother Lakshmana are under the protection of Kausika. They are in the kingdom of Videha. The great Janaka having seen the two Kakutstha princes decided to offer his daughter to Rama. If you like Janaka's offer we will go to his city. We may not lose time."

All the Rishis along with ministers said "good".

Delighted king said they will travel on the very next day. The ministers of the King who who are very accomplished and are adorned with many good qualities spent the night happily with the pleasant thoughts of Rama's marriage.

Thus the sixty eighth Sarga comes to an end.

|| om tat sat ||

मंत्रिणस्तां नरेंद्रस्य रात्रिं परम सत्कृताः ।
ऊषुस्ते मुदितास्सर्वे गुणैस्सर्वै स्समन्विताः ॥
The ministers of the King who are very accomplished and who are adorned with many good qualities spent the night happily.

||om tat sat ||