Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 12
सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña
Bow of Mithilā
तद्धि यज्ञफलं तेन मैथिलेनोत्तमं धनु:।याचितं नरशार्दूल सुनाभं सर्वदैवतै:।।1.31.12।।
tad dhi yajñaphalaṃ tena maithilenottamaṃ dhanuḥ | yācitaṃ naraśārdūla sunābhaṃ sarvadaivataiḥ || 1.31.12 ||
For that excellent bow—firm at its center—was obtained as the fruit of a sacrifice by the Maithila king, having been sought (and granted) by all the gods.
O best among men, that excellent bow strong in the middle was offered by king of Mithila, Devarata as well as by all devatas as fruit of the sacrifice.
FAQs
Merit yields rightful reward: the bow is framed as yajña-phala, teaching that sincere, truth-based ritual action (satya in conduct) bears legitimate outcomes.
Viśvāmitra explains the sacred provenance of the bow—connected to sacrificial merit and divine involvement.
Reverence for sacred lineage of objects: the epic treats powerful items as entrusted responsibilities, not mere trophies.