Shloka 1.66.26

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

Devanagari script

यद्यस्य धनुषो राम: कुर्यादारोपणं मुने।सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम्।।1.66.26।।

Transliteration

tato devagaṇān sarvān tapasā ’haṁ prasādayam | daduś ca paramaprītāś caturaṅgabalaṁ surāḥ || 1.66.23 ||

Translation

Then I propitiated all the hosts of gods through austerity (tapas); and the gods, greatly pleased, granted me a fourfold army.

Context

O Sage! if Rama could lift and string this bow I shall give my daughter Sita, not born from a woman, to him (son of Dasaratha)".ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē ṣaṭṣaṣṭitamassarga:৷৷Thus ends the sixtysixth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Devagaṇa (gods)
• Caturaṅga-bala (fourfold army)

FAQs

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

Dharma seeks righteous means in crisis: Janaka turns to tapas (disciplined spiritual effort) rather than indiscriminate retaliation.

What is the narrative situation?

Facing depletion under siege, Janaka performs austerities and receives divine military support.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Faith joined with effort—spiritual discipline used to protect society, not for vanity.