Shloka 1.66.5

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

Devanagari script

पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ क्षत्रियौ लोकविश्रुतौ।द्रुष्टुकामौ धनु श्श्रेष्ठं यदेतत्वयि तिष्ठति।।1.66.5।।

Transliteration

yad asya dhanuṣo rāmaḥ kuryād āropaṇaṁ mune | sutām ayonijāṁ sītāṁ dadyāṁ dāśarather aham || 1.66.26 ||

Translation

O sage, if Rāma can lift and string this bow, then I shall give my daughter Sītā—born without a human mother—to Daśaratha’s son.

Context

Dasaratha's sons, (Rama and Lakshmana), kshatriyas renowned in the world are eager to see that great bow in your possession.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Sītā
• Sacred bow (traditionally Śiva’s bow)

FAQs

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

Satya and maryādā in royal vows: Janaka binds marriage to a publicly knowable criterion of worth, aligning alliance with responsibility and capability rather than mere desire.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka declares the condition for Sītā’s marriage: whoever can lift and string the bow will receive her hand; he specifies Rāma as the potential groom if he succeeds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s truthfulness and principled decision-making—he treats his promise as binding and the marriage as a dharmic institution, not a political whim.