Shloka 1.67.20

शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च (The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It)

Devanagari script

प्रत्याश्वस्ते जने तस्मिन्राजा विगतसाध्वस:।उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।।।

Transliteration

pratyāśvaste jane tasmin rājā vigata-sādhvasaḥ | uvāca prāñjalir vākyaṃ vākyajño muni-puṅgavam ||

Translation

When the people had recovered, the king—free of fear—addressed the foremost of sages with folded hands, skilled as he was in fitting speech.

Context

When the people recovered the king skilful in the use of words addressed the eminent ascetic without apprehension with folded palms in the following words:

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Janaka’s assembly

FAQs

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

Dharma as reverence and humility toward sages: even a king approaches spiritual authority with respectful posture and measured speech.

What is the narrative situation?

After the bow’s thunderous break and the crowd’s recovery, Janaka formally turns to Viśvāmitra to speak.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s humility and self-possession—fearless yet respectful, eloquent yet restrained.