Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
many years, my forefathers as well as many other monarchs have
been, as you all know, worshipping this Divine Bow. Besides, it
is already well known that no one, be he a God or Demon,
Yaksha, Rakshasa, Garuda or Gandharva, Kinnara or Mahoraga,
no one has so far been able to lift the Bow, hold it and string it!
All who attempted have turned back, humiliated. In spite of this,
this day, I have again resolved to bring the Bow into the sacred
enclosure. Whoever among you assembled here does lift this
bow or lifting, strings it, or stringing it, fixes an arrow onto it, or
who can hold the weight of the Bow in his hands can come
forward and take this chance; the Bow is before you.” With these
words, Janaka bowed before the gathering with his palms folded,
and sat on the Lion Throne. Viswamitra cast a glance, with a
smile, at Rama. Rama quickly approached the vehicle and lifted
up the iron cover with his left arm. And with his right, he raised
with no concern or exertion, the Bow from its box! Holding the
Bow erect he looked around, while amazement was on every
face! The thousands who witnessed the wonder—citizens, kings
and princes, sages and elders—raised such an applause that the
sky echoed the exultation! (RKRV Part I p.167-169)
Rama strings the Bow and it snaps:
Soon Rama strung the magnificent Bow! With delightful ease he
fixed an arrow! And he drew the string back up to the ear, in
order to release it. But the Bow snapped! Everyone around was
shocked into confusion and fear by the strange, unexpected
explosion. Many fainted; some cried out in terror; some fled in
panic. The sages uttered prayers to God. Why dilate further The
entire gathering, barring Janaka, Viswamitra and the brothers,
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