Shloka 1.66.18

शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः (The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow)

Devanagari script

तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां वीर्यं धनुरुपाहृतम्।न शेकुर्ग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा।।1.66.18।।

Transliteration

tatas sarve nṛpatayaḥ sametya munipuṅgava |

mithilām abhyupāgamya vīryajijñāsavas tadā ||1.66.17||

Translation

Then, O foremost sage, all those kings assembled and came to Mithilā, eager to put their strength to the test.

Context

The bow was brought and placed before those who were curious to test their strengthbut none was able to grasp or lift the bow.

Characters & Entities

• Mithilā
• kings (nṛpati)
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Merit-based qualification: dharma is upheld by testing capability openly rather than granting privilege by rank alone.

What is the narrative situation?

Kings gather at Mithilā to attempt the strength-test connected with Sītā’s marriage condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to fair assessment—willingness to be evaluated by a known standard.