Shloka 1.67.8
शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च (The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It)
इदं धनुर्वरं ब्रह्मन् जनकैरभिपूजितम्।राजभिश्च महावीर्यै: अशक्तै: पूरितुं पुरा।।।।
idaṃ dhanur-varaṃ brahman janakair abhipūjitam | rājabhiś ca mahāvīryaiḥ aśaktaiḥ pūrituṃ purā ||
O Brahman, this excellent bow was revered by the Janakas of old; and even kings of great prowess were once unable to string it.
"O Brahman! in the olden days, this great bow was worshipped by my forefathers. Powerful kings failed to string this bow.
Dharma as qualification and truth: Janaka truthfully states the bow’s difficulty, ensuring the rite rests on genuine merit rather than mere claim or status.
Janaka introduces the bow’s revered status and extraordinary challenge before it is attempted.
Truthfulness and responsibility—Janaka sets an honest context so that the contest remains fair and dharmic.