Bala Kanda · Sarga 66 of 77 · 26 verses
The Story of Shiva’s Bow and Sita’s Birth
At dawn Janaka invites Vishvamitra and the princes and asks how he may serve. Vishvamitra replies that Dasharatha’s sons, famous kshatriyas, wish to see the great bow in his keeping. Janaka tells its story. It was entrusted to his ancestor Devarata, eldest son of Nimi. Long ago, at the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, Shiva raised this bow in anger at the gods for not giving him his share, and threatened to cut off their heads with it; the gods appeased him, and he gave the bow to them, and they deposited it with Janaka’s forebear.
“Once, as I was ploughing a field to prepare it for a sacrifice, a girl rose up from the furrow. Found as I cleared the field, she is known as Sita (furrow). Risen from the earth, she has grown up as my daughter, not born of a womb, and I have set her bride-price as valour: whoever proves his strength may marry her. Kings came and asked for her; I refused them, and they tried the bow, but could not even lift it. When I turned them away, they besieged Mithila in anger for a whole year, until my resources were exhausted; then I pleased the gods by austerity, and they gave me a fourfold army, and the kings fled. I will show this radiant bow to Rama and Lakshmana too. If Rama can string it, I will give him my daughter Sita, not born of a womb.”
Press › to begin with verse 1.
ततः प्रभाते विमले कृतकर्मा नराधिपः । विश्वामित्रं महात्मानमाजुहाव सराघवम् ॥ १ ॥
Then in the clear morning the king, his rites done, summoned great-souled Vishvamitra with the Raghavas.
फिर निर्मल प्रभात में राजा ने अपने कर्म करके राघवों सहित महात्मा विश्वामित्र को बुलाया।
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Story of Shiva’s Bow and Sita’s Birth 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture A clear morning in Mithila. Janaka, his rites done, sends for Vishvamitra and the princes. The great day has come.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
तमर्चयित्वा धर्मात्मा शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा । राघवौ च महात्मानौ तदा वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥ २ ॥
The righteous one honoured him by the rite seen in the shastras, and the two great-souled Raghavas, and then said:
धर्मात्मा राजा ने शास्त्रों में देखी विधि से उनका और दोनों महात्मा राघवों का सम्मान किया, और फिर कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture He honours them “by the rite seen in the shastras”. Janaka, the philosopher-king, is always correct in his courtesies.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
भगवन् स्वागतं तेऽस्तु किं करोमि तवानघ । भवानाज्ञापयतु मामाज्ञाप्यो भवता ह्यहम् ॥ ३ ॥
“Lord, welcome to you. What may I do for you, sinless one? Let the lord command me, for I am to be commanded by you.”
“भगवन, आपका स्वागत है। निष्पाप, मैं आपके लिए क्या करूँ? भगवन मुझे आज्ञा दें, क्योंकि मैं आपकी आज्ञा मानने वाला हूँ।”
CommentaryNot scripture “What may I do for you? I am yours to command.” The same open offer Dasharatha made. This time, it will lead to joy.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
एवमुक्तः स धर्मात्मा जनकेन महात्मना । प्रत्युवाच मुनिश्रेष्ठो वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः ॥ ४ ॥
So addressed by great-souled Janaka, the righteous best of sages, skilled in speech, replied:
महात्मा जनक के ऐसा कहने पर बोलने में कुशल धर्मात्मा मुनिश्रेष्ठ ने उत्तर दिया:
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra answers.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ क्षत्रियौ लोकविश्रुतौ । द्रष्टुकामौ धनुःश्रेष्ठं यदेतत्त्वयि तिष्ठति ॥ ५ ॥
“These two sons of Dasharatha, kshatriyas famed in the world, wish to see the best of bows that rests with you.
“दशरथ के ये दो पुत्र, संसार में प्रसिद्ध क्षत्रिय, आपके पास रखे श्रेष्ठ धनुष को देखना चाहते हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture “These two sons of Dasharatha wish to see the bow.” Simple and direct. He does not mention marriage.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
एतद् दर्शय भद्रं ते कृतकामौ नृपात्मजौ । दर्शनादस्य धनुषो यथेष्टं प्रतियास्यतः ॥ ६ ॥
“Show it, bless you. Their wish fulfilled by the sight of this bow, the princes will return as they please.”
“आपका कल्याण हो, उसे दिखाइए। धनुष के दर्शन से इच्छा पूरी होने पर राजकुमार जैसी इच्छा हो लौट जाएँगे।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Once they have seen it, they will go home.” Vishvamitra speaks modestly, but he knows what will happen.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
एवमुक्तस्तु जनकः प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम् । श्रूयतामस्य धनुषो यदर्थमिह तिष्ठति ॥ ७ ॥
So addressed, Janaka replied to the great sage: “Hear why this bow stays here.
ऐसा कहे जाने पर जनक ने महामुनि को उत्तर दिया: “सुनिए कि यह धनुष यहाँ क्यों है।
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka begins the bow’s story.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
देवरात इति ख्यातो निमेर्ज्येष्ठो महीपतिः । न्यासोऽयं तस्य भगवन् हस्ते दत्तो महात्मनः ॥ ८ ॥
“There was a king known as Devarata, eldest son of Nimi. This was entrusted as a deposit into the hands of that great soul, lord.
“निमि के सबसे बड़े पुत्र देवरात नाम से प्रसिद्ध एक राजा थे। भगवन, यह उन महात्मा के हाथों में धरोहर के रूप में सौंपा गया था।
CommentaryNot scripture The bow was given in trust to Devarata, son of Nimi, founder of the Videha line. It has been in Janaka’s family for generations.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
दक्षयज्ञवधे पूर्वं धनुरायम्य वीर्यवान् । विध्वंस्य त्रिदशान् रोषात् सलीलमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ९ ॥
“Long ago, at the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the mighty one drew this bow and, having routed the gods in anger, said in play:
“बहुत पहले दक्ष के यज्ञ के विध्वंस के समय बलवान शिव ने यह धनुष ताना और क्रोध में देवताओं को भगाकर खेल-खेल में कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture It is Shiva’s own bow, used at the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice. Daksha had excluded Shiva from his rite, and Shiva’s fury destroyed it. A bow of divine anger.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
यस्माद् भागार्थिनो भागं नाकल्पयत मे सुराः । वरांगानि महार्हाणि धनुषा शातयामि वः ॥ १० ॥
“’Because you gods did not assign me my share, though I sought a share, I will cut off your precious heads with this bow.’
“’क्योंकि देवताओ, मेरे भाग माँगने पर भी तुमने मुझे मेरा भाग नहीं दिया, इसलिए मैं इस धनुष से तुम्हारे बहुमूल्य सिर काट डालूँगा।’
CommentaryNot scripture “Because you gave me no share, I will cut off your heads.” Shiva spoke this “in play” (lilaya ): a terrifying threat delivered lightly.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
ततो विमनसः सर्वे देवा वै मुनिपुंगव । प्रसादयन्त देवेशं तेषां प्रीतोऽभवद् भवः ॥ ११ ॥
“Then all the gods, dejected, best of sages, appeased the lord of the gods, and Bhava was pleased with them.
“तब मुनिश्रेष्ठ, सब देवताओं ने उदास होकर देवेश्वर को प्रसन्न किया, और भव उनसे प्रसन्न हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture The gods appease him, and he is pleased.
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
प्रीतियुक्तस्तु सर्वेषां ददौ तेषां महात्मनाम् । तदेतद् देवदेवस्य धनूरत्नं महात्मनः ॥ १२ ॥
न्यासभूतं तदा न्यस्तमस्माकं पूर्वजे विभौ । अथ मे कृषतः क्षेत्रं लांगलादुत्थिता ततः ॥ १३ ॥
“Pleased, he gave it to all those great souls. This jewel of a bow of the great-souled god of gods was then deposited as a trust with our forefather, the lord. Then, as I was ploughing a field, out of the plough-furrow rose,
“प्रसन्न होकर उन्होंने उसे उन सब महात्माओं को दे दिया। देवों के देव महात्मा का यह रत्न जैसा धनुष तब हमारे पूर्वज प्रभु के पास धरोहर के रूप में रखा गया। फिर जब मैं एक खेत जोत रहा था, तब हल की रेखा (सीता) से,
CommentaryNot scripture Shiva gives the bow to the gods, who deposit it with Janaka’s ancestor. Then the story turns: “As I was ploughing a field...”
Scene 1 of 2 · King Janaka tells the story of Shiva’s great bow, once raised in fury at Daksha’s sacrifice.
क्षेत्रं शोधयता लब्धा नाम्ना सीतेति विश्रुता । भूतलादुत्थिता सा तु व्यवर्धत ममात्मजा ॥ १४ ॥
“as I cleared the field, a girl I found, known by the name Sita. Risen from the surface of the earth, she grew up as my daughter.
“खेत साफ़ करते हुए, मुझे एक कन्या मिली, सीता नाम से जानी जाने वाली। पृथ्वी की सतह से उठी वह मेरी पुत्री के रूप में बड़ी हुई।
CommentaryNot scripture From the furrow (sita ) rises a girl. Janaka names her Sita, “furrow”. She is born of the earth, ayonija , “not born of a womb”. This is one of the most beloved births in Indian tradition: the daughter of the earth, found by a king ploughing for a sacrifice.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
वीर्यशुल्केति मे कन्या स्थापितेयमयोनिजा । भूतलादुत्थितां तां तु वर्धमानां ममात्मजाम् ॥ १५ ॥
वरयामासुरागत्य राजानो मुनिपुंगव । तेषां वरयतां कन्यां सर्वेषां पृथिवीक्षिताम् ॥ १६ ॥
“I have established that this girl, not born of a womb, is to be won by valour. Kings came and asked for her, this daughter of mine risen from the earth and growing up, best of sages. Of all those lords of the earth who asked for the girl,
“मैंने निश्चय किया है कि गर्भ से न जन्मी यह कन्या पराक्रम से जीती जाएगी। मुनिश्रेष्ठ, पृथ्वी से उठी और बड़ी होती मेरी इस पुत्री को माँगने राजा आए। कन्या माँगने वाले उन सब पृथ्वीपतियों में से
CommentaryNot scripture “She is to be won by valour” (virya-shulka ). Her bride-price is strength. Kings come and ask for her.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
वीर्यशुल्केति भगवन् न ददामि सुतामहम् । ततः सर्वे नृपतयः समेत्य मुनिपुंगव ॥ १७ ॥
मिथिलामप्युपागम्य वीर्यं जिज्ञासवस्तदा । तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां शैवं धनुरुपाहृतम् ॥ १८ ॥
“I would not give my daughter, lord, because her bride-price is valour. Then all the kings came together, best of sages, came to Mithila, wishing to test their strength. For them, wishing to test it, Shiva’s bow was brought.
“किसी को भी, भगवन, मैंने अपनी पुत्री नहीं दी, क्योंकि उसका शुल्क पराक्रम है। तब मुनिश्रेष्ठ, सब राजा इकट्ठे होकर, अपने बल की परीक्षा लेने की इच्छा से मिथिला आए। परीक्षा लेने की इच्छा वाले उनके लिए शिव का धनुष लाया गया।
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka refuses them all; the price is valour, not wealth. The kings come together to test their strength on Shiva’s bow.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
न शेकुर्ग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा । तेषां वीर्यवतां वीर्यमल्पं ज्ञात्वा महामुने ॥ १९ ॥
प्रत्याख्याता नृपतयस्तन्निबोध तपोधन । ततः परमकोपेन राजानो मुनिपुंगव ॥ २० ॥
“They could not grasp the bow, nor even lift it. Knowing the strength of those strong ones to be little, great sage, I refused the kings: understand this, you who are rich in austerity. Then, in the greatest fury, best of sages, the kings,
“वे धनुष को पकड़ भी नहीं सके, न उठा सके। महामुनि, उन बलवानों का बल थोड़ा जानकर मैंने राजाओं को मना कर दिया: तप के धनी, यह समझिए। तब, मुनिश्रेष्ठ, अत्यंत क्रोध में राजाओं ने,
CommentaryNot scripture They cannot even lift it. Janaka sends them away.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
अरुन्धन् मिथिलां सर्वे वीर्यसंदेहमागताः । आत्मानमवधूतं मे विज्ञाय नृपपुंगवाः ॥ २१ ॥
रोषेण महताविष्टाः पीडयन् मिथिलां पुरीम् । ततः संवत्सरे पूर्णे क्षयं यातानि सर्वशः ॥ २२ ॥
“all doubted in their valour, besieged Mithila. Knowing themselves rejected by me, those bulls among kings, filled with great anger, harassed the city of Mithila. When a full year had passed, my resources were exhausted in every way,
“सबने अपने पराक्रम पर संदेह करके मिथिला को घेर लिया। अपने को मुझसे ठुकराया हुआ जानकर बड़े क्रोध से भरे उन राजश्रेष्ठों ने मिथिला नगरी को सताया। जब पूरा एक वर्ष बीत गया, तब मेरे साधन हर तरह से समाप्त हो गए,
CommentaryNot scripture Insulted, the kings besiege Mithila for a year. Janaka’s resources run out. Refusing unworthy suitors cost his kingdom dearly.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
साधनानि मुनिश्रेष्ठ ततोऽहं भृशदुःखितः । ततो देवगणान् सर्वांस्तपसाहं प्रसादयम् ॥ २३ ॥
“best of sages, and I was in deep distress. Then I pleased all the hosts of gods by austerity,
“मुनिश्रेष्ठ, और मैं गहरे दुख में पड़ गया। तब मैंने तप से देवताओं के सब समूहों को प्रसन्न किया,
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka practises austerity to please the gods. The philosopher-king turns to prayer.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
ददुश्च परमप्रीताश्चतुरंगबलं सुराः । ततो भग्ना नृपतयो हन्यमाना दिशो ययुः ॥ २४ ॥
“and the gods, greatly pleased, gave me a fourfold army. Then the kings, broken and being struck down, fled in all directions,
“और अत्यंत प्रसन्न देवताओं ने मुझे चतुरंगिणी सेना दी। तब टूटे और मारे जाते राजा सब दिशाओं में भाग गए,
CommentaryNot scripture The gods give him a fourfold army, and the besiegers flee.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
अवीर्या वीर्यसंदिग्धाः सामात्याः पापकारिणः । तदेतन्मुनिशार्दूल धनुः परमभास्वरम् ॥ २५ ॥
रामलक्ष्मणयोश्चापि दर्शयिष्यामि सुव्रत । यद्यस्य धनुषो रामः कुर्यादारोपणं मुने । सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम् ॥ २६ ॥
“without valour, doubtful of their strength, with their ministers, doers of evil. This, tiger among sages, is that supremely radiant bow, and I will show it to Rama and Lakshmana too, you of good vows. If Rama can string this bow, sage, I will give my daughter Sita, not born of a womb, to Dasharatha’s son.”
“पराक्रम से रहित, अपने बल पर संदेह करते हुए, अपने मंत्रियों सहित, पाप करने वाले। मुनिसिंह, यह वही परम तेजस्वी धनुष है, और सुव्रत, मैं इसे राम और लक्ष्मण को भी दिखाऊँगा। मुनि, यदि राम इस धनुष पर डोरी चढ़ा दें, तो मैं गर्भ से न जन्मी अपनी पुत्री सीता दशरथ के पुत्र को दे दूँगा।”
CommentaryNot scripture “This is that bow. If Rama can string it, I will give him Sita.” The promise is spoken aloud. Everything in the Bala Kanda has been leading to this moment: a prince, a bow, and the daughter of the earth.
Scene 2 of 2 · Ploughing a field, Janaka found a baby girl rising from the furrow: Sita, daughter of the earth.
