Shloka 8
शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः
The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow
देवरात इति ख्यातो निमेष्षष्ठो महीपति:।न्यासोऽयं तस्य भगवन् हस्ते दत्तो महात्मना।।1.66.8।।
devarāta iti khyāto nimeḥ ṣaṣṭho mahīpatiḥ | nyāso 'yaṃ tasya bhagavan haste datto mahātmanā || 1.66.8 ||
“હે ભગવન્, નિમિથી છઠ્ઠા વંશજ એવા દેવરાત નામે પ્રસિદ્ધ એક મહીપતિ હતા. આ ધનુષ્ય મહાત્મા ભગવાન શિવે તેમના હાથે ન્યાસરૂપે સોંપ્યું હતું.”
"O Adorable one! there was a famous king named Devarata, sixth in line from Nimi. This bow was kept with him in trust by the exalted lord (Shiva).
FAQs
Dharma as trusteeship (nyāsa): sacred power is not privately owned but safeguarded responsibly through rightful custodianship and lineage.
Janaka identifies an earlier custodian, King Devarāta of Nimi’s line, to whom Śiva entrusted the bow.
Reverence for sacred responsibility—kings are portrayed as guardians of divine trusts, not mere possessors.