Shloka 1.31.10

सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña (Bow of Mithilā)

Devanagari script

धनुषस्तस्य वीर्यं तु जिज्ञासन्तो महीक्षित:।न शेकुरारोपयितुं राजपुत्रा महाबला:।।1.31.10।।

Transliteration

dhanuṣas tasya vīryaṃ tu jijñāsanto mahīkṣitaḥ | na śekur āropayituṃ rājaputrā mahābalāḥ || 1.31.10 ||

Translation

Wishing to test the might of that bow, kings and mighty princes could not even lift it to set the string.

Context

Mighty princes and kings have failed to string it, in their attempt to know its strength.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• The great bow (Śiva’s bow/Pināka—contextually implied)
• Kings
• Princes

FAQs

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

True worth is proven, not claimed: the bow becomes a measure of capability, discouraging false pride and emphasizing integrity (satya) in self-assessment.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra describes the extraordinary bow at Mithilā and notes that many rulers tried and failed to lift/string it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility before dharma: even mighty rulers are shown limited, preparing the ground for a divinely aligned accomplishment rather than mere bravado.