Introduction
Legend of Shiva’s bow is narrated as Vishvamitra asks Janaka to show that bow to Rama and Lakshmana, as they have come this far to have a glimpse of that great bow. Janaka, while narrating its history, makes an offer saying that his daughter Seetha will be given in marriage, if only Rama can string the bowstring of Shiva’s bow. In the very same sixty-sixth chapter of Kishkindha Kanda, Valmiki narrates the birth of Hanuma through Jambavanta, elaborately. But here Valmiki informs through Janaka about the nature of birth of Seetha, very concisely, which gave raise to too much of debate about this enigmatic Seetha and her birth. Some points are given in the endnote.
Verse 1
ततः प्रभाते विमले कृतकर्मा नराधिपः |
विश्वामित्रं महात्मानमाजुहाव सराघवम् || १-६६-१
Then on performing morning time rites in the aurora of next morning, king Janaka invited great souled Vishvamitra, along with Raghava-s. [1-66-1]
1. tataH prabhaate vimale = then, in morning, aurora; kR^itakarmaaH naraadhipaH = on performing duties [morning rites,] king [Janaka]; vishvaamitram mahaatmaanam = Vishvamitra, great souled one; aajuhaava saraaghavam = invited, with Raghava-s.
Verse 2
तमर्चयित्वा धर्मात्मा शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा |
राघवौ च महात्मानौ तदा वाक्यमुवाच ह || १-६६-२
On reverencing Vishvamitra and the noble souled Raghava-s according to the formalities envisaged by scriptures, then the virtue souled Janaka spoke these words, indeed. [1-66-2]
2. tam arcayitvaa dharmaaatmaa = on reverencing him [Vishvamitra,] virtue souled [Janaka]; shaastradR^iSTena karmaNaa = formalities envisaged by scriptures ; raaghavau ca = Raghava-s, also; mahaatmaanau = noble souled ones [Raghava-s]; tadaa vaakyam uvaaca ha = then spoke words, indeed.
Verse 3
भगवन् स्वागतं तेऽस्तु किं करोमि तवानघ |
भवानाज्ञापयतु मामाज्ञाप्यो भवताह्यहम् || १-६६-३
Oh, god, you are welcome, oh, holy sage, bid me as to what I should for you, for I am biddable by you, indeed… [1-66-3]
3. bhagavan svaagatam te astu = oh god, welcome be there to you; kim karomi tava anagha = what, I should do, for you, oh holy sage; bhavaan aaj~naapayatu maam = you, bid, me; aaj~naapyaH bhavataa hi aham = I am biddable by you, indeed.
Verse 4
एवमुक्तः स धर्मात्मा जनकेन महात्मना |
प्रत्युवाच मुनिर्वीरं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः || १-६६-४
When said thus by the foreseer Janaka, [who can foresee as to why Vishvamitra came with Raghava-s this far, and thus asked him as to what next is to be done,] that sage Vishvamitra, for he is presager and wordsmith, [and who knows what is to be done next,] said these words in reply to that valiant king Janaka. [1-66-4]
4. mahaatmanaa janakena = noble souled [foreseer,] by Janaka; evam uktaH = thus, said; dharmaatmaa = virtue souled [presager]; vaakyavishaaradaH = expert [wordsmith] in sentence; saH muniH = that sage [Vishvamitra]; viiram vaakyam pratyuvaaca = said word in reply to valiant Janaka.
Verse 5
पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ क्षत्रियौ लोकविश्रुतौ |
द्रष्टुकामौ धनुः श्रेष्ठं यदेतत्त्वयि तिष्ठति || १-६६-५
These two are the sons of Dasharatha, well-renowned Kshatriya-s in world, and they are desirous to see that marvellous bow which has a place with you… [1-66-5]
5. putrau dasharathasya imau = these two are sons of Dasharatha; kSatriyau lokavishrutau = Kshatriya-s, renowned in world; draSTukaamau dhanuH shreSTham = desirous to see, marvellous bow; yat etat tvayi tiSThati = which [bow,] that have a place in you [with you] .
Verse 6
एतद्दर्शय भद्रं ते कृतकामौ नृपात्मजौ |
दर्शनादस्य धनुषो यथेष्टं प्रतियास्यतः || १-६६-६
You may show that bow, well bodes you, and on beholding that bow the desire of these two princes will come true, and they will go back as they like… [1-66-6]
6. etat darshaya = show that [bow] ; bhadram te = bodes well, to you; kR^itakaamau nR^ipaatmajau = done [come true] desires, king’s sons [two princes]; darshanaat asya dhanuSaH = by beholding, that, bow; yatheSTam pratiyaasyataH = they go back [return] as they like.
Verse 7
एवमुक्तस्तु जनकः प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम् |
श्रूयतामस्य धनुषो यदर्थमिह तिष्ठति || १-६६-७
But Janaka replied the great sage Vishvamitra when he was addressed thus, “I shall [firstly] tell by which reason that bow has its place here… [1-66-7]
7. evam uktaH tu janakaH = thus, addressed, but, Janaka; pratyuvaaca mahaamunim = replied the great sage; shruuyataam asya dhanuSaH = I let you hear, about that, bow; yadartham iha tiSThati = by which reason, here, it has a place.
Verse 8
देवरात इति ख्यातो निमेः षष्ठो महीपतिः |
न्यासोऽयं तस्य भगवन् हस्ते दत्तो महात्मना || १-६६-८
Oh, godly sage, there was a king renowned as Devaraata, sixth one from Nimi, [the originator of our lineage,] and this bow was handed down to him for custodial care by the Sublime Soul, Shiva… [1-66-8]
8. bhagavan = oh godly sage; nimeH = from Nimi; SaSTaH [jyeSTaH] = sixth [eldest]; devaraata iti khyaataH = Devaraata, thus, renowned; mahiipatiH = king; ayam = this [bow]; tasya haste nyaasaH = as custodial care in his hand; mahaatmanaa = by Sublime Soul [Shiva]; dattaH = given.
Verse 9
दक्षयज्ञवधे पूर्वं धनुरायम्य वीर्यवान् |
रुद्रस्तु त्रिदशान् रोषात् सलीलमिदमब्रवीत् || १-६६-९
Once, during the devastation of the Vedic-ritual of Daksha Prajapati, the mettlesome god Rudra, rancorously outstretching the bowstring of this bow, said this to all gods, superciliously… [1-66-9]
9. dakSayaj~navadhe = devastation of Daksha Prajapati’s Vedic-ritual; puurvam = once; dhanuH aayamya viiryavaan = outstretching [bowstring] bow, mettlesome [god]; rudraH tu tridashaan = Rudra, but, to all gods; roSaat saliilam idam abraviit = rancorously, with playing [superciliously,] said this.
Verse 10
यस्माद्भागार्थिनो भागं नाकल्पयत मे सुराः |
वरांगाणि महार्हाणि धनुषा शातयामि वः || १-६६-१०
‘Oh, gods, whereby you have not apportioned my portion [of oblations in Vedic-ritual s, as I am also the] desirer of such portion, [thereby] I will shred the highly revered heads of yours with this bow…’ [So said Shiva to gods.] [1-66-10]
10. yasmaat = whereby; bhaagaarthinaH = desirer of portion [of oblations in Vedic-ritual] ; bhaagam na akalpayata = apportioned, not, made; me = to me; suraaH = oh gods; varaangaaNi = best limbs [heads]; mahaarhaaNi = highly revered [heads]; dhanuSaa shaatayaami = I will shred with bow; vaH = yours.
Verse 11
ततो विमनसः सर्वे देवा वै मुनिपुंगव |
प्रसादयन्ति देवेशं तेषां प्रीतोऽभवद्भवः || १-६६-११
Then, oh, best saint Vishvamitra, all gods are truly dismayed, and on their supplicating, Bhava, namely Shiva, the God of Gods is gladdened… [1-66-11]
11. tataH vimanasaH sarve devaaH vai = then, dismayed, all, gods truly; munipungava = oh best saint; prasaadayanti devesham = on supplicating, God of Gods [Shiva]; teSaam priitaH abhavat bhavaH = Bhava [another name of Shiva] became glad of them.
Verse 12 & 13a
प्रीतियुक्तस्तु सर्वेषां ददौ तेषां महात्मनाम् |
तदेतद्देवदेवस्य धनूरत्नं महात्मनः || १-६६-१२
न्यासभूतं तदा न्यस्तमस्माकं पूर्वजे विभो |
And that Sublime Soul Shiva gladly gave that bow to all of the great souled gods, and oh, godly saint, then those great souled gods gave this gem of a bow of Shiva, the God of Gods, to our ancestor [Devaraata,] for custodial care… [1-66-12, 13a]
12, 13a. priitiyuktaH tu = having glad [gladly,] but; sarveSaam dadau = gave to all; teSaam mahaatmanaam = to them, great souled gods; tat etat devadevasya = that, this, God of God’s; dhanuuratnam = gem of a bow; mahaatmanaH = by Sublime Soul Shiva; nyaasabhuutam = for custodial care; tadaa nyastam = then, given; asmaakam puurvaje = to our, ancestor vibho = oh godly saint.
Verse 13b & 14a
अथ मे कृषतः क्षेत्रं लांगलादुत्थिता मम || १-६६-१३
क्षेत्रं शोधयता लब्धा नाम्ना सीतेति विश्रुता |
Later, when I was ploughing the ritual field then raised by the plough [from the furrow is a baby girl… since she is] gained while consecrating the ritual-field, she is named as Seetha, and thus she is renowned… [1-66-13b, 14a]
13b, 14a. atha = later; me kR^iSataH kSetram = when ploughing ritual-field by me; laangalaat utthitaa tataH = then raised from plough [by plough from furrow] ; kSetram shodhayataa = while purifying [consecrating] ritual field; labdhaa = gained; naamnaa siitaa iti vishrutaa = thus by name [named as] renowned as Seetha.
Verse 14b & 15a
भूतलादुत्थिता सा तु व्यवर्धत ममात्मजा || १-६६-१४
वीर्यशुल्केति मे कन्या स्थापितेयमयोनिजा |
Hers is a non-uterine birth as she surfaced from the surface of the earth, but fostered as my own soul-born girl and I determined [to give her in marriage to a bridegroom where his] boldness is the only bounty, [I receive in that marriage…] [1-66-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a bhuutalaat utthitaa saa tu = she arose [surfaced] from surface of earth, but; vyavardhata mama aatmajaa = fostered, my [own,] soul-born girl; viiryashulkaa iti = boldness is bounty, thus; me = by me; kanyaa = girl; sthaapitaa = determined; iyam = she is; ayonijaa = non uterine birthed.
Verse 15b & 16a
भूतलादुत्थितां तां तु वर्धमानां ममात्मजाम् || १-६६-१५
वरयामासुरागम्य राजानो मुनिपुंगव |
Oh, eminent sage, as my daughter has surfaced from the surface of earth and has come of age, the kings, [having heard my declaration that the bounty for Seetha is boldness alone,] have come and besought for her… [1-66-15b, 16a]
15b, 16a. bhuutalaat utthitaam taam tu = surfaced from earth’s surface, her, but; vardhamaanaam mama aatmajaam = my daughter is come of age ; [viirashulkatayaa sthaapitam upashrutya = bounty of boldness, ascribed to be, on my informing; having heard my declaration that the bounty for Seetha is boldness alone;] varayaamaasuH aagamya raajaanaH = besought, on coming, kings; munipungava = oh eminent sage.
Verse 16b & 17a
तेषां वरयतां कन्यां सर्वेषां पृथिवीक्षिताम् || १-६६-१६
वीर्यशुल्केति भगवन्न ददामि सुतामहम् |
To all of those kings who are beseeching for the girl, I have not given my daughter, saying that she will be given for a bounty of boldness… [1-6-16b, 17a]
16b, 17a. teSaam varayataam kanyaam = to them, who are beseeching, for girl; sarveSaam = to all; pR^ithiviikSitaam = kings; viiryashulkaa iti = boldness is bounty, thus [saying]; bhagavan = oh godly sage; na dadaami sutaam aham = I do not give daughter.
Verse 17b & 18a
ततः सर्वे नृपतयः समेत्य मुनिपुंगव || १-६६-१७
मिथिलामभ्युपागम्य वीर्यं जिज्ञासवस्तदा |
Then all the kings convoked and on arriving at Mithila, then they wanted to ascertain the calibre [of the bow, vis-a-vis their own…] [1-66-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. tataH sarve nR^ipatayaH sametya = then, all, kings, convoked; munipungava = oh eminent sage; mithilaam abhyupaagamya = on arriving at Mithila ; viiryam jij~naasavaH tadaa = they wanted to ascertain calibre [of bow], then.
Verse 18b & 19a
तेषां जिज्ञासमानानां शैवं धनुरुपाहृतम् || १-६६-१८
न शेकुर्ग्रहणे तस्य धनुषस्तोलनेऽपि वा |
For them, those who wanted to ascertain the calibre of the bow, that bow of Shiva is fetched to their proximity, but they are incapable to joggle it, or even to catch hold of it… [1-66-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. teSaam jij~naasamaanaanaam = for them, those who want to ascertain [the calibre of bow]; shaivam dhanuH upaahR^itam = Shiva’s, bow, fetched to [their] proximity; na shekuH = not, capable; grahaNe tasya dhanuSaH = in catching hold of, its, bow; tolane api vaa = to balance it [joggle,] even, or.
Verse 19b & 20a
तेषां वीर्यवतां वीर्यमल्पं ज्ञात्वा महामुने || १-६६-१९
प्रत्याख्याता नृपतयस्तन्निबोध तपोधन |
Oh, great saint, on knowing the valour of those valorous ones as valueless, I countermanded them… oh, ascetically wealthy Vishvamitra, by that you may know [the sequel of it…] [1-66-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. teSaam viiryavataam = their, valorous ones’; viiryam alpam j~naatvaa = on knowing valour as trivial [valueless] ; mahaamune = oh great saint; pratyaakhyaataa = counter said [countermanded by me]; nR^ipatayaH = kings; tat nibodha tapodhana = [by] that, you may know, oh ascetically wealthy Vishvamitra.
Verse 20b & 21a
ततः परमकोपेन राजानो मुनिपुंगव || १-६६-२०
अरुन्धन् मिथिलां सर्वे वीर्यसंदेहमागताः |
Then, oh, eminent sage, those kings beleaguered Mithila in a blind fury, since a self-mistrust bechanced among them all, about their own valour… [1-66-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. tataH paramakopena raajaanaH = then, kings with blind fury; munipungava = oh eminent sage; arundhan mithilaam = beleaguered, Mithila; sarve viiryasandeham aagataaH = [among] all, bechanced [self-] mistrust about [their own] valour.
Verse 21b & 22a
आत्मानमवधूतं ते विज्ञाय मुनिपुंगव || १-६६-२१
रोषेण महताविष्टाः पीडयन् मिथिलां पुरीम् |
They surmised for themselves that they are brushed off by me, and they possessed by a high rancour, they strangled the City of Mithila… [1-66-21b, 22a]
21b, 22a. aatmaanam = for themselves; avadhuutam = to side swept [brushed off by me]; te vij~naaya = they, on knowing [surmising]; munipungava = oh eminent sage; roSeNa mahataa aaviSTaaH = possessed by high rancour ; piiDayan mithilaam puriim = to strangle, Mithila, city.
Verse 22b & 23a
ततः संवत्सरे पूर्णे क्षयं यातानि सर्वशः || १-६६-२२
साधनानि मुनिश्रेष्ठ ततोऽहं भृशदुःखितः |
Then elapsed is an year and in anyway the possessions for livelihood went into a decline, oh, eminent sage, thereby I am highly anguished [1-66-22b, 23a]
22b, 23a. tataH samvatsare puurNe = then, completed [elapsed] a year; kSayam yaataani sarvashaH = went into decline, in anyway; saadhanaani = possessions [for livelihood]; munishreSTha = oh eminent sage; tataH aham bhR^ishaduHkhitaH = thereby, I was, highly anguished.
Verse 25b & 26a
तदेतन्मुनिशार्दूल धनुः परमभास्वरम् || १-६६-२५
रामलक्ष्मणयोश्चापि दर्शयिष्यामि सुव्रत |
Oh, tigerly sage this is that supremely radiant bow, and oh, saint of sacred vows, I will show it, even to Rama and Lakshmana… [1-66-25b, 26a]
25b, 26a tat etat = that, this; munishaarduula = oh tigerly sage; dhanuH paramabhaasvaram = supremely radiant bow; raamalakSmaNayoH ca api = to Rama and Lakshmana, also, even; darshayiSyaami suvrata = I will show, oh saint of sacred vow.
Verse 23b & 24a
ततो देवगणान् सर्वांस्तपसाहं प्रसादयम् || १-६६-२३
ददुश्च परमप्रीताश्चतुरंगबलं सुराः |
Then I have assuaged the assemblages of gods by my ascesis and gods are also highly gladdened and gave me fourfold forces… [1-66-23b, 24a]
23b, 24a. tataH devagaNaan sarvaan = then, all assemblages of gods; tapasaa aham prasaadayam = I have assuaged by ascesis; daduH ca paramapriitaaH = gave, also, highly gladdened; caturangabalam suraaH = gods [gave] fourfold forces.
Verse 24b & 25a
ततो भग्ना नृपतयो हन्यमाना दिशो ययुः || १-६६-२४
अवीर्या वीर्यसंदिग्धाः सामात्याः पापकारिणः |
Then those evildoers and self-mistrustful kings while being drubbed [by the heaven-sent army, they have become] vigourless and broken, and they beat a hasty retreat… [1-66-24b, 25a]
24b, 25a. tataH = then; aviiryaaH = without vigour; viiryasandigdhaaH = self-mistrustful [of their own valour] of valour; paapakaariNaH = evildoers; nR^ipatayaH = kings; hanyamaanaa = being drubbed; bhagnaa = broken [defeated]; saamaatyaaH = with ministers [retinue]; dishaH yayuH = went [beat a hasty retreat] to directions.
Verse 26b & c
यद्यस्य धनुषो रामः कुर्यादारोपणं मुने |
सुतामयोनिजां सीतां दद्यां दाशरथेरहम् || १-६६-२६
“If Rama strings the bowstring of that bow, oh, sage, I will offer my daughter, whose birth is non-uterine, to Dasharatha’s Rama…” [So said Janaka to Vishvamitra.] [1-66-26b, c]
26b, c yadi = if; asya dhanuSaH = of that bow; raamaH = Rama; kuryaat aaropaNam = does [strings,] bowstring; mune = oh sage; sutaam ayonijaam siitaam = non uterine birthed daughter Seetha; dadyaam = I offer; daasharatheH = to Dasharatha’s [son]; aham = I will.
