Summary
Janaka's delegation arrives at Ayodhya and submits its message to Dasharatha. Listening to the tidings [news] that his son Rama not only lifted the bow of Shiva, but broke it as well, Dasharatha is overjoyed and refers the matter of marriage of Seetha with Rama to his ministers and teachers. All of the ministers and sages unanimously agree to that proposal and they are set to travel to Mithila the next day.
Chapter [Sarga] 68 – in Detail
Those envoys who are clearly ordered by Janaka entered the city of Ayodhya on sojourning [staying temporarily] for three nights en route, and whose horses are overtired for they are galloped so fast to loose no time. [1-68-1]
On going to the palace those envoys are given an audience [interview] with the consent of Dasharatha, and when they are conducted into the palace-chambers they have seen the elderly king Dasharatha gleaming like a God. [1-68-2]
Completely gone is the angst [a feeling of anxiety] of all the legates [official emissaries] on seeing Godly Dasharatha, and all of them adjoining palms in reverence said this compliant and mellow worded sentence to the king. [1-68-3]
Oh, exalted [glorious] emperor Dasharatha! Janaka, the lineal [descended] king of Janaka-s and the present sovereign of Mithila is asking time and time again with mellow words instilled with friendliness, after the wellbeing and after the unmitigated prosperity of your highness, along with that of your highness' priests and teachers, also that of your highness' subjects, who always precede your highness in convoys [to escort for protection] in any event, as your highness are the one who ingratiates [to gain favor] himself with the Ritual-fires, ever and anon [at once]... [1-68-4, 5]
His highness Janaka of Videha, and the sovereign of Mithila, having asked after your highness wellbeing is sensibly saying this word to your highness, with the indorse [approval] of Kaushika... [1-68-6]
'Well-known is the solemn promise of mine that my daughter Seetha is a bounty for bravery... also well-know is that the kings who came to lift the bow turned out as gutless [cowardly] kings, and then they turned out as rancorous [bitter] kings at me, and it is also well-known that I turned them back with my guts... [1-68-7]
Oh, Emperor Dasharatha, your young and valorous son who serendipitously [valuably] arrived at Mithila along with his younger brother Lakshmana, keeping Vishvamitra at his fore [front], finally carries off this girl, the well-known daughter of mine... [1-68-8]
Also, oh, highly dexterous king Dasharatha, noble souled Rama wrecked that divine bow, which is a gem of a bow among bows, at its central point before a grand assembly of people... [1-68-9]
Seetha is the bounty for bravery and I shall have to afford her to the noble-souled Rama, as such it will be apt [suitable] of you to give your consent as I wish to keep up my solemn promise... [1-68-10]
'Keeping your royal priest Vashishta and other teachers ahead of you, oh, great emperor, I wish you to come apace, let safe betide you, for it will be apt of you to take a look at your ennobled [dignified] son Rama, and Lakshmana, too... [1-68-11]
It will be apt of you to make my solemn promise maintainable, and that way you will derive delight on seeing both of your sons...' [1-68-12]
Thus the sovereign [supreme excellence or king] of Videha kingdom said these endearing [valuable] words, abiding by the counsel of Sage Shataananda, and Sage Vishvamitra is also consentient to the proposal... Thus the envoys [representatives] conveyed the proposal and paused. [1-68-13]
King Dasharatha is highly gladdened on hearing that message from the delegates, and said this way to Vashishta, Vamadeva, and to his other ministers, as well. [1-68-14]
This one Rama, the enhancer of Kausalya's rejoice, is stopping over at Videha kingdom along with his brother Lakshmana, and Vishvamitra is taking care of both these boys... [1-68-15]
On observing the valor of Kakutstha Rama, noble souled Janaka wishes to gift his daughter as bride to Raghava Rama... [1-68-16]
If you all favor the tidings from the noble-souled Janaka as to what has happened in Mithila, we quickly proceed to that city, let not the time lapse... Thus Dasharatha informed his counsel. [1-68-17]
The ministers along with all of the great sages said in consonance [agreement or harmony], Most Welcome... and then that highly pleased king Dasharatha said to the ministers, we travel tomorrow... [1-68-18]
The ministers of king Janaka who are gifted with all talents are given grateful hospitality by Dasharatha, and they all dwelt that night in Ayodhya, overjoyed at the successful completion of their august [majestic] legatine [official emissary], called Seetha kalyaan... [1-68-19]
Thus, this is the 68th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
