तत: thereafter, प्रभाते at dawn, महर्षिभि: by maharshis, कृतकर्मा having performed daily (sacrificial) acts, वाक्यज्ञ: conversant in speech, जनक: Janaka, पुरोहितम् chief priest, शतानन्दम् Satananda, वाक्यम् words, उवाच said.

Thereafter at dawn after the maharshis had performed their daily (sacrificial) rites the eloquent Janaka said to the chief priest Satananda: Janaka sends messengers to fetch his brother Kusadhwaja -- at the request of Dasaratha Vasishta narrates the greatness of Ikshvaku dynasty.