Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 20
शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च
The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It
प्रत्याश्वस्ते जने तस्मिन्राजा विगतसाध्वस:।उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।।।
pratyāśvaste jane tasmin rājā vigata-sādhvasaḥ | uvāca prāñjalir vākyaṃ vākyajño muni-puṅgavam ||
Quand le peuple eut repris ses esprits, le roi, délivré de toute crainte, s’adressa les mains jointes au plus éminent des sages, lui qui savait trouver les paroles justes.
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:
FAQs
Dharma as reverence and humility toward sages: even a king approaches spiritual authority with respectful posture and measured speech.
After the bow’s thunderous break and the crowd’s recovery, Janaka formally turns to Viśvāmitra to speak.
Janaka’s humility and self-possession—fearless yet respectful, eloquent yet restrained.