Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 44
वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना
Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage
ādivaṃśaviśuddhānāṃ rājñāṃ paramadharmiṇām |
ikṣvākukulajātānāṃ vīrāṇāṃ satyavādinām ||
rāmalakṣmaṇayor arthe tvatsute varaye nṛpa |
sadṛśābhyāṃ nṛpaśreṣṭha sadṛśe dātum arhasi ||
O best of kings, O ruler—these heroes of the Ikṣvāku line are pure in ancestry from the very beginning, supremely devoted to dharma, and steadfast in truth. For Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa I seek your two daughters in marriage; since both sides are equally worthy, it is fitting that you bestow the two matching brides.
Great among men, O King! be gracious enough to give your equally accomplished two daughters in mariage to Rama and Lakshmana who are born in the family of Ikshvakus kings possessing the purity of race right from the beginning. They are highly virtuous, heroic, and truthful. They have chosen your daughters as their brides".ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē saptatitamassarga:৷৷Thus ends the seventieth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Dharma is presented as righteous social order: marriage is to be arranged by worthiness, virtue, and truthfulness, ensuring a harmonious and ethical alliance.
A formal request is made to Janaka to give his two daughters in marriage to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, emphasizing equality of merit and noble conduct.
Satya (truthfulness) and paramadharma (supreme righteousness) as defining virtues of the Ikṣvāku princes.