Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 9
शिवधनुर्दर्शनं—रामेण धनुर्भङ्गश्च
The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It
नैतत्सुरगणास्सर्वे नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरा: सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।।।
naitat suragaṇāḥ sarve nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ | gandharvayakṣapravarāḥ sa-kinnara-mahoragāḥ ||
Chẳng phải toàn thể chư thiên, cũng chẳng phải a-tu-la hay la-sát; ngay cả những gandharva và yakṣa bậc nhất, cùng kinnaras và các đại xà hùng mãnh, cũng không thể sử dụng được cây cung ấy.
Hosts of devatas, asuras, rakhasas, kinnaras and great serpents, the best of gandharvas and yakshas, also failed (to wield this bow).
FAQs
True worth is measured by capability aligned with destiny and righteousness, not by status or species; the verse humbles even celestial beings before a sacred task, reinforcing reverence for divine order (dharma).
In the context of describing the extraordinary bow, the speaker emphasizes that even powerful supernatural beings could not wield it—preparing the audience to grasp the significance of Rāma’s success.
Rāma’s exceptional śakti (prowess) is implied, but the explicit emphasis is on humility and truthful appraisal of greatness: acknowledging limits even among the mighty.