Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 6

शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च

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

Devanagari script

इदं धनुर्वरं राजन् पूजितं सर्वराजभि:।मिथिलाधिप राजेन्द्र दर्शनीयं यदिच्छसि।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ dhanur-varaṃ rājan pūjitaṃ sarva-rājabhiḥ | mithilādhipa rājendra darśanīyaṃ yad icchasi ||

Translation

Tâu Đại vương—chúa tể Mithilā, bậc tối thượng trong hàng quân vương—đây là cây cung thượng hảo, được hết thảy các vua tôn kính phụng thờ; nếu bệ hạ muốn chiêm ngưỡng, xin hãy xem.

Word by Word

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (singular)

• dhanurvaram: excellent bow
• dhanurvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; समासः कर्मधारयः (धनुः एव वरम्)

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Sambodhana (vocative/सम्बोधन), Ekavacana

• pūjitam: worshipped/honoured
• pūjitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūj (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; past passive participle (PPP)

• sarvarājabhiḥ: by all kings
• sarvarājabhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां राज्ञां)

• mithilādhipa: O lord of Mithilā
• mithilādhipa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mithilā + adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मिथिलायाः अधिपः)

• rājendra: O king of kings
• rājendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञाम् इन्द्रः)

• darśanīyam: fit to be shown/seen
• darśanīyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛś (धातु) + anīya (अनीय)
• Form: Anīya-gerundive (अनीय-कृदन्त), Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; ‘to be seen/shown’ (obligatory/fit)

• yat: which
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; relative pronoun

• icchasi: you desire
• icchasi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present/लट्), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd person), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

Context

'O Indra among kings! O lord of Mithila! here is the great bow, worshipped by all kings,which you intend to show (to Rama)'.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Mithilā
• the bow
• kings (collective)

FAQs

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

Dharma of honoring sacred heritage: a revered object is treated with veneration, and public actions proceed with formal acknowledgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Ministers present the famed bow and confirm it is the very one Janaka intends to show for the contest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and fidelity to tradition—maintaining continuity of worship and respect accorded by prior kings.