Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
accompany me to Mithila. Then, Rama pleaded that, since his
father had deputed him only for safeguarding the Yajna at my
Ashram, he was reluctant to proceed further and be away from
his father longer than permitted. But I spoke to them of many
divine weapons you have, objects, which they are naturally eager
to see and handle. I described the Bow that you have here, the
Siva Bow, which deserves to be seen by them. I told them the
story of that Bow. Then they agreed to accompany me hither,
longing to see it. They have no yearning to go round the city or
visit interesting places. Bows, arrows, weapons which can guard
the right and punish the wicked—these claim first consideration
for their attention.” Janaka felt he had no need to hear more. He
said, “In that case, I shall make arrangements to have the Bow
brought to the Yajna Hall soon,” and instructed that the
preceptor, Sathananda be consulted about an auspicious hour
when it could be brought there. (RKRV Part I p.160-164)
Rama wants to know how the bow came into the possession
of Janaka:
Meanwhile, Rama asked Janaka, “Maharaja! If you can tell us
how that Divine Bow came into your possession, we can derive
great joy.” Janaka gave the details with evident joy. “Darlings:
Six generations after Nimi, the great ancestor of my dynasty, the
King named Devaratha ruled over this kingdom. The Gods
placed this Bow of Lord Siva in trust in his palace. It had been
with us since then. It is a weapon of the Gods and so, I assert it is
no ordinary Bow! It weighed some thousands of tonnes! No one
has held it in the erect position so far! For, who can lift that
weight Many times in the past, I tried to discover who could
bend the Bow and use it or hold it for public gaze and invited
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