Shloka 1.66.2

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

Devanagari script

तमर्चयित्वा धर्मात्मा शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा।राघवौ च महात्मानौ तदा वाक्यमुवाच ह।।1.66.2।।

Transliteration

teṣāṁ vīryavatāṁ vīryam alpaṁ jñātvā mahāmune |

pratyākhyātā nṛpatayas tan nibodha tapodhana ||1.66.19||

Translation

Seeing, O great sage, that the prowess of those who boasted of strength was in truth meagre, I rejected those kings—understand this, O treasure of austerity.

Context

The virtuous Janaka paid respects to Viswamitra and the high-souled Rama and Lakshmana in accordance with the sastras and spoke:

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• kings (nṛpati)
• Viśvāmitra (tapodhana, mahāmune)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires discernment and fairness: one must uphold stated standards even when it means refusing powerful applicants; satya is maintained through consistent judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

After the kings fail the bow-test, Janaka concludes they are unqualified and formally rejects their proposals.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s discriminative wisdom (viveka) and firmness in upholding a just criterion.