Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 22
शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः
The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow
ततस्संवत्सरे पूर्णे क्षयं यातानि सर्वश:।साधनानि मुनिश्रेष्ठ ततोऽहं भृशदु:खित:।।1.66.22।।
tatas saṁvatsare pūrṇe kṣayaṁ yātāni sarvaśaḥ | sādhanāni muniśreṣṭha tato ’haṁ bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ || 1.66.22 ||
When a full year had passed, O best of sages, all resources everywhere were depleted; and then I became deeply distressed.
O Sage! you are a tiger among asceties, you are faithful to your vows, I shall show this effulgent bow to your Rama and Lakshmana .
FAQs
Rāja-dharma centers on the people’s welfare: Janaka’s grief reflects a ruler’s moral burden when his subjects’ livelihoods are endangered.
After a prolonged siege lasting a year, Mithilā’s supplies are exhausted, creating crisis and sorrow for Janaka.
Compassionate responsibility—Janaka does not treat the siege as mere politics; he feels the human cost.