Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 11
सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña
Bow of Mithilā
तद्धनुर्नरशार्दूल मैथिलस्य महात्मन:।तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि काकुत्स्थ यज्ञं चाद्भुतदर्शनम्।।1.31.11।।
tad dhanuḥ naraśārdūla maithilasya mahātmanaḥ | tatra drakṣyasi kākutstha yajñaṃ cādbhutadarśanam || 1.31.11 ||
Jenen Bogen, o Bester der Menschen, o Spross der Kakutsthas, wirst du dort erblicken: den Bogen des großherzigen Königs von Mithilā; und auch ein Opfer, wundersam anzuschauen.
O best of men, O descendent of Kakustha, there you will see the bow that belongs to the magnanimous king of Mithila and the wonderful sacrifice at that place.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld through sacred rites and righteous kingship: the bow and yajña signify responsibility, restraint, and truth-centered rule.
Viśvāmitra invites Rāma toward Mithilā to witness the famed bow and a remarkable sacrificial ceremony.
Reverent curiosity: Rāma is positioned as a worthy witness—one who approaches sacred and royal institutions with respect.