Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 11

शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च

The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It

Devanagari script

तदेतद्धनुषां श्रेष्ठमानीतं मुनिपुङ्गव।दर्शयैतन्महाभाग अनयो: राजपुत्रयो:।।।।

Transliteration

tad etad dhanuṣāṃ śreṣṭham ānītaṃ munipuṅgava | darśaya etan mahābhāga anayoḥ rājaputrayoh || 1.67.11 ||

Translation

「されど、この弓の中の最上なるものがここへ運ばれてきました、聖仙の中の第一よ。幸いなるお方よ、これをこの二人の王子にお見せください。」

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• dhanuṣām: among/of bows
• dhanuṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana

• śreṣṭham: best
• śreṣṭham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; superlative adjective

• ānītam: brought
• ānītam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā + nī (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-PPP, Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• munipuṅgava: O best of sages
• munipuṅgava: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni + puṅgava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मुनीनां पुंगवः)

• darśaya: show
• darśaya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (imperative/लोट्), Madhyama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• mahābhāga: O highly fortunate one
• mahābhāga: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः

• anayoḥ: of these two
• anayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Dvivacana

• rājaputrayōḥ: of the two princes
• rājaputrayōḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Dvivacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः पुत्रौ)

Context

O Eminent ascetic! such heaviest bow is brought here, O Highly accomplished sage! show this to the two princes".

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• the bow (Śiva-dhanus / Pināka)

FAQs

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

Dharma of due procedure: even a formidable sacred object is revealed only through proper request and consent, honoring both ascetic authority and royal responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka agrees to the request and directs that the bow be shown to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s respect for sages and guests—he responds with readiness and honor.