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.A lovely bride, a grand triumph and splendid renown are the prize; but Brahm.,
it seems, has not yet created the man who may break the bow and win the above
rewards.. .Tell me, who would not have this prize? But none could string the bow. Let alone
stringing or breaking it, there was not one of you, brothers, who could stir it even a grain.s
breadth from its place. Now no one who prides on his valour should feel offended if I assert
that there is no hero left on earth to my mind. Give up all hope and turn your faces
homewards. It is not the will of Providence that Sita. should be married. All my religious
merits shall be gone if I abandon my vow. The princess must remain a maid; what can I
do? Had I known, brothers, that there are no more heroes in the world, I would not have
made myself a laughing-stock by undertaking such a vow.. All who heared Janaka.s
words, men and women alike, felt distressed at the sight of Janak. Lakshna, however
got incensed: his eyebrows were knit, his lips quivered and his eyes shot fire. For fear of rama he could not speak, though Janaka.s words pierced his heart
like an arrow; yet at last, bowing his head at rama.s lotus-feet he spoke words which
were impregnated with truth: As Lakshmana spoke these angry words, the earth shook and the elephants
supporting the quarters tottered. The whole assembly, including all the princes, was
struck with terror;sita. felt delighted at heart, while Janaka blushed. The preceptor
(Vishwamitra), the Lord of Raghus and all the hermits were glad of heart and thrilled all
over again and again. With a sign rama checked Lakshmana and made him sit
beside Him. Perceiving that it was a propitious time, Vishwamitra said in most endearing
terms, .Up, Rama, break the bow of shiva and relieve Janaka, my boy, of his anguish..
On hearing the Guru.s words rama bowed His head at his feet; there was no joy or
sorrow in His heart. He stood up in all His native grace, putting to shame a young lion
by His elegant carriage. As the Chief of the Raghus rose on His elevated seat like the morning sun
appearing in the eastern horizon, all the saints were delighted like so many lotuses and
their eyes were glad as bees at the return of day. Rama found Videha.s Daughter greatly agitated; every moment that passed hung on
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avail is a lake of nectar to him once he is dead. What good is a shower when the whole
crop is dried up; what use repenting over an opportunity lost? Thinking thus within
Himself the Lord looked at Janaka.s Daughter and thrilled all over to perceive Her
singular devotion. He inwardly made obeisance to His preceptor (Vishwamitra), and took
up the bow with great agility. The bow gleamed like a flash of lightning as He grasped
it in His hand. And then it appeared like a circle in the sky. No one knew when He took
it in His hands, strung it and drew it tight; everyone only saw Him standing (with the bow
drawn). Instantly rama broke the bow in halves; the awful crash resounded through
all the spheres. In the midst of Her companions Sita. shone as a personification of supreme beauty
among other embodiments of beauty. She held in one of Her lotus hands the fair wreath
of victory, resplendent with the glory of triumph over the whole universe. While Her body
shrank with modesty, Her heart was full of rapture; Her hidden love could not be
perceived by others. As She drew near and beheld rama.s beauty, Princess Sita.
stood motionless as a portrait. A clever companion, who perceived Her in this condition,
exhorted Her saying,. Invest the bridegroom with the beautiful wreath of victory.. At this
She raised the wreath with both of Her hands, but was too overwhelmed with emotion
to garland Him. In this act Her uplifted hands shone as if a pair of lotuses with their stalks
were timidly investing the moon with a wreath of victory. At this charming sight Her
companions broke into a song, while Sita. placed the wreath of victory round rama.s
neck so as to adorn His breast.
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