Shloka 1.67.16
शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च (The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It)
पश्यतां नृपसहस्राणां बहूनां रघुनन्दन: ।आरोपयत्स धर्मात्मा सलीलमिव तद्धनु:।।।।
paśyatāṃ nṛpa-sahasrāṇāṃ bahūnāṃ raghunandanaḥ | āropayat sa dharmātmā salīlam iva tad dhanuḥ ||
While many thousands of kings looked on, Rāma—the joy of the Raghu line, steadfast in dharma—strung that bow as if it were a mere plaything.
Virtuous Rama, the delight of the Raghus, in the presence of several thousands of men fixed the string to the bow and drew it as though with ease.
Dharma as inner steadiness: true virtue includes composure—Rāma’s power appears effortless because it is governed by self-control.
In Janaka’s hall, before a vast audience, Rāma successfully strings the bow that others could not even move.
Competence joined with humility—extraordinary strength displayed without arrogance.