Valmiki Ramayana 2.118.49 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 118, Shloka 49

अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा

Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative

Devanagari script

तेन पूरयता वेगान्मध्ये भग्नं द्विधा धनुः।तस्य शब्दो भवद्भीमः पतितस्याशनेरिव।।2.118.49।।

Transliteration

tena pūrayatā vegān madhye bhagnaṃ dvidhā dhanuḥ | tasya śabdo bhavad bhīmaḥ patitasyāśaner iva || 2.118.49 ||

Translation

Als er ihn mit Wucht spannte, zerbrach der Bogen in der Mitte in zwei Teile; und der Laut, der aufstieg, war furchterregend, wie ein niederfahrender Blitz.

Word by Word

• nimeṣa-antara-mātreṇa: within a mere instant
• nimeṣa-antara-mātreṇa: Adhikarana (अधिकरण) (kāla-adhikaraṇa: time within which)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nimeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + antara (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Compound (समास): nimeṣasya antaraṃ = nimeṣāntara (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष), then mātra ‘mere measure’ (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष usage); Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• ānamya: having bent
• ānamya: Kriya (क्रिया) (pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√nam (नम्) (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having bent’

• mahābalaḥ: the mighty one
• mahābalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Compound (कर्मधारय): ‘great strength’; Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular; qualifying the agent

• jyām: the bowstring
• jyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular

• samāropya: having strung/put on
• samāropya: Kriya (क्रिया) (pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√ruh/√rop (रुह्/रोप्) (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having mounted/placed (on), having strung’

• jhaḍiti: instantly
• jhaḍiti: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: jhaḍiti (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (शीघ्रार्थक-अव्यय)

• pūrayāmāsa: fully drew/strung (completed)
• pūrayāmāsa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pṝ/√pūr (पूर्) (धातु)
• Form: Periphrastic perfect (लिट्/परस्मैपद-परिप्रयोगः: ‘āmāsa’), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vīryavān: valiant
• vīryavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + matup (मतुप्)
• Form: Possessive adjective (मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त), Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

Context

At the words of that ascetic, my father brought out the bow. Mighty and valiant Rama bent it and strung it and drew it in the twinkling of an eye.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• the divine bow (Śiva’s bow/Pināka implied)
• thunderbolt (aśani)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma recognizes rightful potency: extraordinary strength, when aligned with truthful purpose, becomes a sign of fitness for responsibility rather than mere display.

What is the narrative situation?

During Rāma’s drawing of the bow, it breaks in two with a thunder-like crash—marking the decisive moment of the ordeal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s overwhelming yet controlled power—capability that confirms worthiness without cruelty or pride.