Shloka 1.31.13

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

Devanagari script

आयागभूतं नृपतेस्तस्य वेश्मनि राघव।अर्चितं विविधैर्गन्धैर्धूपैश्चागरुगन्धिभि:।।1.31.13।।

Transliteration

āyāgabhūtaṃ nṛpates tasya veśmani rāghava | arcitaṃ vividhair gandhair dhūpaiś cāgaru-gandhibhiḥ || 1.31.13 ||

Translation

O Rāghava, in that king’s palace the bow is honored as a foremost object of worship, revered with many perfumes, incense, and fragrant agaru.

Context

O Rama, that bow is worshipped in the king's palace as principal deity with various kinds of perfumes, sandal paste, incense and fragrant agaru".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Maithila king (Janaka/Devarāta per tradition)
• Palace (veśman)
• The bow (Pināka/Śiva-dhanuḥ—contextually implied)
• Agaru
• Incense (dhūpa)

FAQs

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

Power must be sanctified: the bow is treated as an object of reverence, teaching that authority and strength are to be held within dharmic restraint and sacred accountability.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra continues describing how the bow is kept and worshipped in the Mithilā king’s palace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and custodianship: the king’s household honors the bow as a sacred trust rather than a mere weapon.