Shloka 2.118.43

अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा (Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative)

Devanagari script

तच्च दृष्ट्वा धनुश्श्रेष्ठं गौरवाद्गिरिसन्निभम्। अभिवाद्य नृपा जग्मुरशक्तास्तस्य तोलने।।2.118.43।।

Transliteration

tac ca dṛṣṭvā dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ gauravād giri-sannibham | abhivādya nṛpā jagmur aśaktās tasya tolane || 2.118.43 ||

Translation

Seeing that supreme bow, awe-inspiring and heavy as a mountain, the kings—unable even to lift it—paid their respects and departed.

Context

Beholding the mighty bow resembling a mountain in weight, the kings, unable to lift it, paid their homage and left.

Characters & Entities

• kings (nṛpāḥ)
• the supreme bow (Śiva’s bow/Pināka implied)

FAQs

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

Humility before reality: dharma includes recognizing limits and offering respect rather than resorting to envy or disorder.

What is the narrative situation?

The assembled kings inspect the bow, fail to lift it, then formally withdraw.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The kings’ outward decorum—saluting and leaving—reflects royal propriety (maryādā), even in failure.