Shloka 1.66.23

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

Devanagari script

ततो देवगणान् सर्वान् तपसाऽहं प्रसादयम्।ददुश्च परमप्रीता श्चतुरङ्गबलं सुरा:।।1.66.23।।

Transliteration

tataḥ paramakopena rājāno nṛpapuṅgava | nyarundhan mithilāṁ sarve vīryasaṁdeham āgatāḥ || 1.66.20 ||

Translation

Then, O best of kings, all those rulers—seized by fierce anger and troubled by doubt about their own prowess—came and surrounded Mithilā.

Context

Thereafter, I propitiated the gods by my austerities. Highly pleased, they gave me an army of four divisions (chariots, elephants, horses and infantry ).

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Mithilā
• Kings (unnamed rival rulers)

FAQs

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

Unchecked anger and wounded pride lead to adharma: instead of self-discipline after failure, the kings externalize blame and resort to aggression.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka recounts how rival kings, after failing with the bow, became enraged and laid siege to Mithilā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, Janaka’s steadfastness as a protector-king is implied—he must uphold order against unjust force.