Sargam [Chapter]: 72 Kusadwaja's Daughters [Mandavi and Sruthakeerthi, daughters of Kusdawaja, are offered as brides to Bhārata and Śatrughna. The offer is accepted and the marriage is fixed. Daśaratha does the preliminary rituals for the marriage.] The great sage Viśvāmitra, along with Vasiṣṭha, after hearing these words of King Janaka, told Janaka. 72.1 "Oh great king, the glories of the

Sargam [Chapter]: 73 Marriage Celebration [The uncle of Bhārata arrives in Mithilā. The four marriages are conducted by giving the brides to grooms and by their going round fire.] On the day, when the King gave away the cows in charity, that day, the valorous Yudhājit [uncle of Bhārata] arrived. 73.1 He was the son of the King of Kekaya

Sargam [Chapter]: 74 Ayodhyā Journey [Viśvāmitra took leave and went to the forest to do penance. Daśaratha, his sons and the new brides along with sages and the army started towards Ayodhyā. Janaka came with them and gave several presents to his daughters and bid them farewell. On the way, they saw lot of disturbance. Then Paraśurāma, the son of

Sargam [Chapter]: 75 Paraśurāma's Story and Vishnu Bow [Sage Paraśurāma tells about how Viśvakarma made two bows; gave one to Vishnu and another to Shiva. The Vishnu bow was given to his grandfather, who gave it to his father, who gave it to him. At this, Daśaratha was scared; but Paraśurāma completed the story of the bows and challenged Rāma

Sargam [Chapter]: 76 Paraśurāma's Pride Destruction [Rāma easily strings the bow, keeps an arrow in it and requests Paraśurāma to say whether the arrow should be used to destroy his feet or should it be used to destroy the result of his accumulated penances. Paraśurāma realizes that Rāma is Vishnu himself and chooses the latter as he has to leave

Sargam [Chapter]: 77 Ayodhyā Arrival [After the departure of Paraśurāma, all of them continue their journey and arrive back Ayodhyā. They are received with joy by people of Ayodhyā.] When Paraśurāma had gone, Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, who had a peaceful mind, gave the unmatched bow and arrow to God Varuṇa. 77.1 Then Rāma saluted Vasiṣṭha and other important

Section: II Ayodhyā Kāṇda [Ayodhyā Section] [This book starts with proposal for coronation of Rāma as Yuvarāja by Daśaratha. On the advice of Mandāra, Kaikeyi asks Daśaratha two boons - one to crown Bhārata and the other to banish Rāma to the forest. Rāma accordingly goes to forest and settles down in Chitrakūṭa Mountain. Daśaratha dies due to sorrow of

2. Daśaratha's Proposal of Rāma as Yuvarāja [Daśaratha organizes a meeting of his citizens, ministers, Brahmins as well as kings. He proposes that Rāma should be made Yuvarāja. Not only people approve but defend that decision.] After that the king of the earth after inviting all the invited people and spoke these nectar like words aimed at their welfare. 2.1

3. Rāma's Coronation Arrangements [After the king requests Vasiṣṭha to make arrangements for the coronation for the next day, he makes all arrangements. Daśaratha summons Rāma and informs about it. Kausalya becomes greatly happy.] The king with joy saw all those people who were saluting him who with folded hands similar to a lotus bud and told them, loving words