Valmiki Ramayan verses about Lord Rama lifting, stringing and in the process, breaking the bow of Lord Shiva kept with King Janaka
Recently in Kamala Subramaniam's Ramayana (abridged English version), I read the account of Lord Rama lifting, stringing and in the process, breaking the bow of Lord Shiva kept with King Janaka.
I wanted to look up and share the important Sanskrit shokas (verses) from Valmiki Ramayan related to this account.
The Sanskrit verses and English translation have been taken from https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in (IIT Kanpur website). The English translation is slightly edited in a few places. Comments of mine are prefixed with Ravi:
एवमुक्तस्तु जनक: प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम्।
श्रूयतामस्य धनुषो यदर्थमिह तिष्ठति।।1.66.7।।
Thus addressed by the mighty ascetic Janaka replied, "I shall tell you how this bow came to be deposited here".
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देवरात इति ख्यातो निमेष्षष्ठो महीपति:।
न्यासोऽयं तस्य भगवन् हस्ते दत्तो महात्मना।।1.66.8।।
"O Adorable one there was a famous king named Devarata, sixth in line from Nimi. This bow was kept with him in trust by the exalted lord (Shiva)."
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दक्षयज्ञवधे पूर्वं धनुरायम्य वीर्यवान्।
रुद्रस्तु त्रिदशान् रोषात्सलीलमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.66.9।।
"Earlier at the time of destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, Rudra endowed with great prowess lifted this bow sportively and spoke to the gods."
[Ravi: Rudra is another name for Lord Shiva, and in this context I think it refers to Lord Shiva.]
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यस्माद्भागार्थिनो भागान्नाकल्पयत मे सुरा:।
वराङ्गाणि महार्हाणि धनुषा शातयामि व:।।1.66.10।।
"O gods in your anxiety to partake your share of the (sacrifice), you have failed to provide mine in the sacrificial offerings. Therefore, I shall sever your jewelled heads and beautiful limbs with this bow."
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ततो विमनसस्सर्वे देवा वै मुनिपुङ्गव।
प्रसादयन्ति देवेशं तेषां प्रीतोऽभवद्भव:।।1.66.11।।
"O Eminent ascetic thereafter all the gods with agitated minds propitiated lord of the gods, Siva and he was pleased with them."
[Ravi: Devesham seems to mean lord of the gods, and seems to be a reference to Lord Shiva (spelled as Siva in above English translation).]
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प्रीतियुक्तस्स सर्वेषां ददौ तेषां महात्मनाम्।
तदेतद्देवदेवस्य धनूरत्नं महात्मन:।
न्यासभूतं तदा न्यस्तमस्माकं पूर्व के विभो।।1.66.12।।
"O Lord that gem of a bow belonging to Siva was given to the great gods who in turn got it deposited in trust with our ancestor."
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[Ravi: Then there are a few shlokas about Devi Sita and how King Janaka decides to offer her hand in marriage to the one (prince/king) who is able to demonstrate his strength (by lifting and stringing this bow of Lord Shiva).]
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ततस्सर्वे नृपतय स्समेत्य मुनिपुंगव।
मिथिलामभ्युपागम्य वीर्यजिज्ञासवस्तदा।।1.66.17।।
"O Preeminent among ascetics thereafter many kings together came to Mithila to test their prowess."
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तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां वीर्यं धनुरुपाहृतम्।
न शेकुर्ग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा।।1.66.18।।
"The bow was brought and placed before those who were curious to test their strength but none was able to grasp or lift the bow."
[Ravi: None of these kings could even lift the bow of Lord Shiva! This is the vital point to understand. This bow of Lord Shiva was so heavy! Only a great and powerful man (or god in human form) would be able to lift it and string it.]
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[Ravi: Then there are a few shlokas (verses) describing the anger of the rejected kings who got together and laid seige to Janaka's capital Mithila for a year. Janaka performed austerities to please the devas, who then gave him a large army with which Janaka routed the kings who had laid seige. These defeated kings fled away.]
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तदेतन्मुनिशार्दूल धनु: परमभास्वरम्।
रामलक्ष्मणयोश्चापि दर्शयिष्यामि सुव्रत।।1.66.25।।
"O Sage you are a tiger among ascetics, you are faithful to your vows, I shall show this effulgent bow to your Rama and Lakshmana."
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यद्यस्य धनुषो राम: कुर्यादारोपणं मुने।
सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम्।।1.66.26।।
"O Sage if Rama could lift and string this bow I shall give my daughter Sita, not born from a woman, to him (son of Dasaratha)".
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[Sixtysixth sarga (chapter) ends. Sixtyseventh sarga (chapter) begins.]
[Omitting initial shlokas related to orders to Janaka's ministers to bring the bow]
नृणां शतानि पञ्चाशद्व्यायतानां महात्मनाम्।
मञ्जूषामष्टचक्रां तां समूहुस्ते कथञ्चन।।1.67.4।।
Five thousand mighty stalwarts drew with great difficulty the eightwheeled cart on which the bow was placed in a box.
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तामादाय तु मञ्जूषामायसीं यत्र तद्धनु:।
सुरोपमं ते जनकमूचुर्नृपतिमन्त्रिण:।।1.67.5।।
The counsellors of the king, brought the iron casket containing the bow and said these words to Janaka comparable to a celestial:
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इदं धनुर्वरं राजन् पूजितं सर्वराजभि:।
मिथिलाधिप राजेन्द्र दर्शनीयं यदिच्छसि।।1.67.6।।
"O Indra among kings O lord of Mithila here is the great bow, worshipped by all kings, which you intend to show (to Rama)."
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तेषां नृपो वच: श्रुत्वा कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।
विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं तौ चोभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।1.67.7।।
Having heard this, the king with folded hands said to the great soul Viswamitra sitting with the two princes Rama and Lakshmana:
[Ravi: The following words are of King Janaka.]
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इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् जनकैरभिपूजितम्।
राजभिश्च महावीर्यै: अशक्तै: पूरितुं पुरा।।1.67.8।।
"O Brahman in the olden days, this great bow was worshipped by my forefathers. Powerful kings failed to string this bow."
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नैतत्सुरगणास्सर्वे नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।
गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरा: सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।1.67.9।।
"Hosts of devatas, asuras, rakhasas, kinnaras and great serpents, the best of gandharvas and yakshas, also failed (to wield this bow)."
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क्व गतिर्मानुषाणां च धनुषोऽस्य प्रपूरणे।
आरोपणे समायोगे वेपने तोलनेऽपि वा।।1.67.10।।
"How then can men bend, string, fix the arrow, pull the string and lift it?"
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तदेतद्धनुषां श्रेष्ठमानीतं मुनिपुङ्गव।
दर्शयैतन्महाभाग अनयो: राजपुत्रयो:।।1.67.11।।
"O Eminent ascetic such heaviest bow is brought here, O Highly accomplished sage show this to the two princes".
[Ravi: This is the background then to Lord Shiva's bow (Shivdhanush). It is a superhuman bow that cannot be even lifted by mere mortals even if they are kings. Only after knowing this background, we get to be in a position to appreciate the great feat that Lord Rama accomplishes with respect to this bow when he is around 16 years of age.]
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विश्वामित्रस्तु धर्मात्मा श्रुत्वा जनकभाषितम्।
वत्स राम धनु: पश्य इति राघवमब्रवीत्।।1.67.12।।
Having heard the words of Janaka, the righteous Viswamitra said: "O Child O Descendant of Raghu look at this bow".
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ब्रह्मर्षेर्वचनाद्रामो यत्र तिष्ठति तद्धनु:।
मञ्जूषां तामपावृत्य दृष्ट्वा धनुरथाब्रवीत्।।1.67.13।।
At the words of the great rishi Viswamitra, Rama opened the casket, beheld the bow and said:
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इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् संस्पृशामीह पाणिना।
यत्नवांश्च भविष्यामि तोलने पूरणेऽपि वा।।1.67.14।।
"O Brahmarshi, shall I touch this great bow with my hands lift and string it".
[Ravi: Lord Rama shows his respect for Sage Vishwamitra by asking permission to touch the great bow, lift it and string it! Note that Sage Vishwamitra earlier had only told him to look at the great bow.]
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बाढमित्येव तं राजा मुनिश्च समभाषत।
लीलया स धनुर्मध्ये जग्राह वचनान्मुने:।।1.67.15।
The king as also the rishi said "Be it so". At the words of the sage (Viswamitra), he (Rama) took hold of the bow by its middle with ease.
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पश्यतां नृपसहस्राणां बहूनां रघुनन्दन: ।
आरोपयत्स धर्मात्मा सलीलमिव तद्धनु:।।1.67.16।।
Virtuous Rama, the delight of the Raghus, in the presence of several thousands of men fixed the string to the bow and drew it with ease.
[Ravi: This itself shows us how Lord Rama had superhuman/divine (warrior) strength and power. While other kings had struggled to string the great bow, Lord Rama does it with ease. This is how the divinity of Divine beings and Avatars get easily demonstrated to humanity! This is the Mahima (miraculous doings) of the Lord!]
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आरोपयित्वा धर्मात्मा पूरयामास तद्धनु:।
तद्बभञ्ज धनुर्मध्ये नरश्रेष्ठो महायशा:।।1.67.17।।
Rama, the best among men, righteous and famous lifted the bow. Stringing it with a twang he drew it. The bow broke into two in the middle.
[Ravi: The great bow of Lord Shiva which other kings could not even lift, was lifted and strung with ease by Rama and in the process, the great bow broke in the middle! Note that the main body of the bow broke and not its string.
This is a big & miraculous event in the career of Avatar Lord Rama. It is Mahadeva Lord Shiva's bow! Avatar Rama born as a human prince is able to easily lift and string the great bow of Lord Shiva, with it breaking in the process. Rama, very clearly, is not an ordinary prince. He is the one with superhuman/divine power!]
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तस्य शब्दो महानासीत् निर्घातसमनिस्वन:।
भूमिकम्पश्च सुमहान् पर्वतस्येव दीर्यत:।।1.67.18।।
It generated a loud sound like the clap of thunder, like the trembling of the earth and the splitting of a mountain.
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निपेतुश्च नरा स्सर्वे तेन शब्देन मोहिता:।
वर्जयित्वा मुनिवरं राजानं तौ च राघवौ।।1.67.19।।
On hearing the sound, except Janaka, Viswamitra and the two raghavas (Rama and Lakshmana) the rest of the people around fell down and fainted.
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प्रत्याश्वस्ते जने तस्मिन्राजा विगतसाध्वस:।
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।1.67.20।।
When the people recovered, the king skilful in the use of words addressed the eminent ascetic without apprehension with folded palms in the following words:
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भगवन् दृष्टवीर्यो मे रामो दशरथात्मज:।
अत्यद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च न तर्कितमिदं मया।।1.67.21।।
"O Worshipful one I have witnessed the prowess of Rama, son of Dasaratha. I had not imagined that this marvellous feat could be ever accomplished."
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जनकानां कुले कीर्तिमाहरिष्यति मे सुता।
सीता भर्तारमासाद्य रामं दशरथात्मजम्।।1.67.22।।
"By receiving Rama, son of Dasaratha, as her husband, my daughter Sita will bring glory to my dynasty."
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मम सत्या प्रतिज्ञा च वीर्यशुल्केति कौशिक।
सीता प्राणैर्बहुमता देया रामाय मे सुता।।1.67.23।।
"O Son of Kausika I announce Sita to be the 'Reward of prowess'. My vow has come true. She is more valuable than my life and fit to be given to Rama."
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Ravi: Lord Rama, through this great Mahima (miracle), announces to all assembled to watch this feat in King Janaka's capital, Mithila, that a great divine power has come to the world as him (Lord Rama). The earlier great victories of Rama over the rakshasas (demons) were seen by Sage Viswamitra and (later) by Sage Viswamitra's disciples. But this great act (Mahima) was in Mithila, the capital of Janaka's kingdom, which would have been seen by many. This news, one presumes, would spread across neighbouring kingdoms to distant lands in Bharatavarsha (land of Bharat), over time. It has been fascinating for me to study the shlokas (verses) of Valmiki Ramayan related to this great Mahima of Lord Rama easily lifting, stringing and in the process, breaking the great bow of Lord Shiva.
[I thank www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
I wanted to look up and share the important Sanskrit shokas (verses) from Valmiki Ramayan related to this account.
The Sanskrit verses and English translation have been taken from https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in (IIT Kanpur website). The English translation is slightly edited in a few places. Comments of mine are prefixed with Ravi:
एवमुक्तस्तु जनक: प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम्।
श्रूयतामस्य धनुषो यदर्थमिह तिष्ठति।।1.66.7।।
Thus addressed by the mighty ascetic Janaka replied, "I shall tell you how this bow came to be deposited here".
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देवरात इति ख्यातो निमेष्षष्ठो महीपति:।
न्यासोऽयं तस्य भगवन् हस्ते दत्तो महात्मना।।1.66.8।।
"O Adorable one there was a famous king named Devarata, sixth in line from Nimi. This bow was kept with him in trust by the exalted lord (Shiva)."
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दक्षयज्ञवधे पूर्वं धनुरायम्य वीर्यवान्।
रुद्रस्तु त्रिदशान् रोषात्सलीलमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.66.9।।
"Earlier at the time of destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, Rudra endowed with great prowess lifted this bow sportively and spoke to the gods."
[Ravi: Rudra is another name for Lord Shiva, and in this context I think it refers to Lord Shiva.]
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यस्माद्भागार्थिनो भागान्नाकल्पयत मे सुरा:।
वराङ्गाणि महार्हाणि धनुषा शातयामि व:।।1.66.10।।
"O gods in your anxiety to partake your share of the (sacrifice), you have failed to provide mine in the sacrificial offerings. Therefore, I shall sever your jewelled heads and beautiful limbs with this bow."
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ततो विमनसस्सर्वे देवा वै मुनिपुङ्गव।
प्रसादयन्ति देवेशं तेषां प्रीतोऽभवद्भव:।।1.66.11।।
"O Eminent ascetic thereafter all the gods with agitated minds propitiated lord of the gods, Siva and he was pleased with them."
[Ravi: Devesham seems to mean lord of the gods, and seems to be a reference to Lord Shiva (spelled as Siva in above English translation).]
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प्रीतियुक्तस्स सर्वेषां ददौ तेषां महात्मनाम्।
तदेतद्देवदेवस्य धनूरत्नं महात्मन:।
न्यासभूतं तदा न्यस्तमस्माकं पूर्व के विभो।।1.66.12।।
"O Lord that gem of a bow belonging to Siva was given to the great gods who in turn got it deposited in trust with our ancestor."
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[Ravi: Then there are a few shlokas about Devi Sita and how King Janaka decides to offer her hand in marriage to the one (prince/king) who is able to demonstrate his strength (by lifting and stringing this bow of Lord Shiva).]
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ततस्सर्वे नृपतय स्समेत्य मुनिपुंगव।
मिथिलामभ्युपागम्य वीर्यजिज्ञासवस्तदा।।1.66.17।।
"O Preeminent among ascetics thereafter many kings together came to Mithila to test their prowess."
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तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां वीर्यं धनुरुपाहृतम्।
न शेकुर्ग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा।।1.66.18।।
"The bow was brought and placed before those who were curious to test their strength but none was able to grasp or lift the bow."
[Ravi: None of these kings could even lift the bow of Lord Shiva! This is the vital point to understand. This bow of Lord Shiva was so heavy! Only a great and powerful man (or god in human form) would be able to lift it and string it.]
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[Ravi: Then there are a few shlokas (verses) describing the anger of the rejected kings who got together and laid seige to Janaka's capital Mithila for a year. Janaka performed austerities to please the devas, who then gave him a large army with which Janaka routed the kings who had laid seige. These defeated kings fled away.]
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तदेतन्मुनिशार्दूल धनु: परमभास्वरम्।
रामलक्ष्मणयोश्चापि दर्शयिष्यामि सुव्रत।।1.66.25।।
"O Sage you are a tiger among ascetics, you are faithful to your vows, I shall show this effulgent bow to your Rama and Lakshmana."
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यद्यस्य धनुषो राम: कुर्यादारोपणं मुने।
सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम्।।1.66.26।।
"O Sage if Rama could lift and string this bow I shall give my daughter Sita, not born from a woman, to him (son of Dasaratha)".
---
[Sixtysixth sarga (chapter) ends. Sixtyseventh sarga (chapter) begins.]
[Omitting initial shlokas related to orders to Janaka's ministers to bring the bow]
नृणां शतानि पञ्चाशद्व्यायतानां महात्मनाम्।
मञ्जूषामष्टचक्रां तां समूहुस्ते कथञ्चन।।1.67.4।।
Five thousand mighty stalwarts drew with great difficulty the eightwheeled cart on which the bow was placed in a box.
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तामादाय तु मञ्जूषामायसीं यत्र तद्धनु:।
सुरोपमं ते जनकमूचुर्नृपतिमन्त्रिण:।।1.67.5।।
The counsellors of the king, brought the iron casket containing the bow and said these words to Janaka comparable to a celestial:
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इदं धनुर्वरं राजन् पूजितं सर्वराजभि:।
मिथिलाधिप राजेन्द्र दर्शनीयं यदिच्छसि।।1.67.6।।
"O Indra among kings O lord of Mithila here is the great bow, worshipped by all kings, which you intend to show (to Rama)."
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तेषां नृपो वच: श्रुत्वा कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।
विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं तौ चोभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।1.67.7।।
Having heard this, the king with folded hands said to the great soul Viswamitra sitting with the two princes Rama and Lakshmana:
[Ravi: The following words are of King Janaka.]
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इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् जनकैरभिपूजितम्।
राजभिश्च महावीर्यै: अशक्तै: पूरितुं पुरा।।1.67.8।।
"O Brahman in the olden days, this great bow was worshipped by my forefathers. Powerful kings failed to string this bow."
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नैतत्सुरगणास्सर्वे नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।
गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरा: सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।1.67.9।।
"Hosts of devatas, asuras, rakhasas, kinnaras and great serpents, the best of gandharvas and yakshas, also failed (to wield this bow)."
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क्व गतिर्मानुषाणां च धनुषोऽस्य प्रपूरणे।
आरोपणे समायोगे वेपने तोलनेऽपि वा।।1.67.10।।
"How then can men bend, string, fix the arrow, pull the string and lift it?"
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तदेतद्धनुषां श्रेष्ठमानीतं मुनिपुङ्गव।
दर्शयैतन्महाभाग अनयो: राजपुत्रयो:।।1.67.11।।
"O Eminent ascetic such heaviest bow is brought here, O Highly accomplished sage show this to the two princes".
[Ravi: This is the background then to Lord Shiva's bow (Shivdhanush). It is a superhuman bow that cannot be even lifted by mere mortals even if they are kings. Only after knowing this background, we get to be in a position to appreciate the great feat that Lord Rama accomplishes with respect to this bow when he is around 16 years of age.]
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विश्वामित्रस्तु धर्मात्मा श्रुत्वा जनकभाषितम्।
वत्स राम धनु: पश्य इति राघवमब्रवीत्।।1.67.12।।
Having heard the words of Janaka, the righteous Viswamitra said: "O Child O Descendant of Raghu look at this bow".
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ब्रह्मर्षेर्वचनाद्रामो यत्र तिष्ठति तद्धनु:।
मञ्जूषां तामपावृत्य दृष्ट्वा धनुरथाब्रवीत्।।1.67.13।।
At the words of the great rishi Viswamitra, Rama opened the casket, beheld the bow and said:
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इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् संस्पृशामीह पाणिना।
यत्नवांश्च भविष्यामि तोलने पूरणेऽपि वा।।1.67.14।।
"O Brahmarshi, shall I touch this great bow with my hands lift and string it".
[Ravi: Lord Rama shows his respect for Sage Vishwamitra by asking permission to touch the great bow, lift it and string it! Note that Sage Vishwamitra earlier had only told him to look at the great bow.]
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बाढमित्येव तं राजा मुनिश्च समभाषत।
लीलया स धनुर्मध्ये जग्राह वचनान्मुने:।।1.67.15।
The king as also the rishi said "Be it so". At the words of the sage (Viswamitra), he (Rama) took hold of the bow by its middle with ease.
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पश्यतां नृपसहस्राणां बहूनां रघुनन्दन: ।
आरोपयत्स धर्मात्मा सलीलमिव तद्धनु:।।1.67.16।।
Virtuous Rama, the delight of the Raghus, in the presence of several thousands of men fixed the string to the bow and drew it with ease.
[Ravi: This itself shows us how Lord Rama had superhuman/divine (warrior) strength and power. While other kings had struggled to string the great bow, Lord Rama does it with ease. This is how the divinity of Divine beings and Avatars get easily demonstrated to humanity! This is the Mahima (miraculous doings) of the Lord!]
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आरोपयित्वा धर्मात्मा पूरयामास तद्धनु:।
तद्बभञ्ज धनुर्मध्ये नरश्रेष्ठो महायशा:।।1.67.17।।
Rama, the best among men, righteous and famous lifted the bow. Stringing it with a twang he drew it. The bow broke into two in the middle.
[Ravi: The great bow of Lord Shiva which other kings could not even lift, was lifted and strung with ease by Rama and in the process, the great bow broke in the middle! Note that the main body of the bow broke and not its string.
This is a big & miraculous event in the career of Avatar Lord Rama. It is Mahadeva Lord Shiva's bow! Avatar Rama born as a human prince is able to easily lift and string the great bow of Lord Shiva, with it breaking in the process. Rama, very clearly, is not an ordinary prince. He is the one with superhuman/divine power!]
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तस्य शब्दो महानासीत् निर्घातसमनिस्वन:।
भूमिकम्पश्च सुमहान् पर्वतस्येव दीर्यत:।।1.67.18।।
It generated a loud sound like the clap of thunder, like the trembling of the earth and the splitting of a mountain.
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निपेतुश्च नरा स्सर्वे तेन शब्देन मोहिता:।
वर्जयित्वा मुनिवरं राजानं तौ च राघवौ।।1.67.19।।
On hearing the sound, except Janaka, Viswamitra and the two raghavas (Rama and Lakshmana) the rest of the people around fell down and fainted.
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प्रत्याश्वस्ते जने तस्मिन्राजा विगतसाध्वस:।
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।1.67.20।।
When the people recovered, the king skilful in the use of words addressed the eminent ascetic without apprehension with folded palms in the following words:
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भगवन् दृष्टवीर्यो मे रामो दशरथात्मज:।
अत्यद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च न तर्कितमिदं मया।।1.67.21।।
"O Worshipful one I have witnessed the prowess of Rama, son of Dasaratha. I had not imagined that this marvellous feat could be ever accomplished."
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जनकानां कुले कीर्तिमाहरिष्यति मे सुता।
सीता भर्तारमासाद्य रामं दशरथात्मजम्।।1.67.22।।
"By receiving Rama, son of Dasaratha, as her husband, my daughter Sita will bring glory to my dynasty."
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मम सत्या प्रतिज्ञा च वीर्यशुल्केति कौशिक।
सीता प्राणैर्बहुमता देया रामाय मे सुता।।1.67.23।।
"O Son of Kausika I announce Sita to be the 'Reward of prowess'. My vow has come true. She is more valuable than my life and fit to be given to Rama."
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Ravi: Lord Rama, through this great Mahima (miracle), announces to all assembled to watch this feat in King Janaka's capital, Mithila, that a great divine power has come to the world as him (Lord Rama). The earlier great victories of Rama over the rakshasas (demons) were seen by Sage Viswamitra and (later) by Sage Viswamitra's disciples. But this great act (Mahima) was in Mithila, the capital of Janaka's kingdom, which would have been seen by many. This news, one presumes, would spread across neighbouring kingdoms to distant lands in Bharatavarsha (land of Bharat), over time. It has been fascinating for me to study the shlokas (verses) of Valmiki Ramayan related to this great Mahima of Lord Rama easily lifting, stringing and in the process, breaking the great bow of Lord Shiva.
[I thank www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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