The One who strung the Bow of Mahadeva

It was a beautiful dawn. The sun illuminated the sky. Every element of nature was filled with enthusiasm. It seemed like the entire universe was awaiting to behold the Swayamvara of Sītā.

Rāma, whose brilliance outshone that of the sun, made Himself ready for the Swayamvara. He and Lakshmana followed Sage Vishwāmitra and entered the grand hall where the Bow of Lord Shiva was kept. The two Jewels of Raghukula shone like the sun and the moon in their lion-like gait. Everybody in the assembly was charmed by the divinity radiating from the Princes. Rāma's dark complexion, delicate lotus-like limbs and majestic looks captivated everyone. They looked at the Lord's form according to the conception each had about Him. Those who were staunch in battle gazed on His form as though He was the heroic sentiment personified. The wicked kings trembled at the sight of the Lord as if He had the most terrible form. The demons, who were cunningly disguised as princes, beheld the Lord as Death in visible form, while the citizens regarded the two brothers as the ornaments of humanity and the delight of their eyes. The Sages saw Hari in His universal form and contemplated on Him. Seeing the beauty of Rāma, the Kings who had gathered in the assembly were startled.

After the Brothers and Sage Vishwāmitra had taken Their seats, King Janaka sent for Sītā and Her Sakhīs. No words were enough to describe the divine beauty of Princess Sītā. She was clad in the best of Sārīs and adorned with exquisite jewellery. With swan-like steps, She walked gracefully with Her Friends and companions. Everybody was dazzled by the beauty of Sītā and all had their eyes fixed at Her. But Sītā's mind was thinking of Rāma alone. When Janaka and His Queen looked at Sītā, they were overcome with joy and blessed Her. When the Kings gazed at Sītā, their hearts were filled with arrogance and lust. When Lakshmana looked at Sītā, He bowed down in reverence. When Sages like Vishwāmitra looked at Sītā, They knew that Lakshmī Nārāyana had incarnated to unite once again. When Rāma gazed at Sītā, He was filled with love. After bowing down to all the elders and taking Her seat, Sītā's eyes searched for Rāghava. When She beheld Her Lord, She was in supreme bliss.

Saluting and seeking the blessings of everyone, King Janaka warmly welcomed the assembly and began the event.

The bow of Lord Śiva, which was created by Vishwakarma the architect of Gods, was handed over to Nimi Chakravarti, who in turn gave it to his eldest son King Devarat and was thus passed down to King Janaka through that lineage of Kings. As a child, Sītā had moved this great bow which could not be moved by the strongest of men. This incident left a deep impression on Her father King Janaka's mind. He decided to use the bow as a measure of worthiness for any potential suitors for his Daughter's hand in marriage. He vowed that he would give his Daughter's hand in marriage to the one who is able to string the great bow of Lord Śiva.

King Janaka knew that only a man of great valour and honour would be able to accomplish such a feat, and only such a man would be worthy of his beloved daughter Sītā. Ten thousand royal men were drawn to the beauty of Sītā. They flaunted their prowess and gloated. They thought that they could pick up the bow like a flower and become Sītā's Lord. No, they were wrong! They couldn’t move the glorious bow even by an inch! It was really heavy! Irritated and exhausted, they meekly went back to their seats. However, the arrogant Kings congregated to lift the bow using all their might. They were stopped by King Janaka who was shocked and angered. “ None could string this bow. Let alone stringing or breaking it, there was not one of you who could stir it even an inch or a breadth from its place. By what I have observed, there is no Hero left on this earth. Had I known this before, I wouldn't have fooled myself by undertaking this vow. Now give up all your hopes and go back to your homes!” The King vented out his woes. Was his dear Daughter going to remain unmarried forever? These Kings, filled with pride and gluttony, had polluted the sacred bow of Lord Śiva. Nobody was worthy of his Daughter, who was the epitome of virtues.

The three worlds became terrified on hearing such harsh words from Janaka. However, Lakshmana became angry. His lips quivered and His eyes were filled with fire. He stood up and declared before of Lord Rāma as follows: “Listen, O Delighter of the solar race, I sincerely tell You, without any boasting. If I have Your permission, I will lift the round world like a ball and smash it like an ill-baked earthen jar; and by the glory of Your majesty, O blessed Lord, I can break Mount Meru like a radish. What, then, is this wretched old bow? Realizing this, my Lord, let me have Your command and see what wonders I work. I will string the bow as though it were a lotus-stalk and run with it not less than eight hundred miles!”

Hearing these words, King Janaka gained confidence and Sītā was delighted. After beholding all this, Sage Vishwāmitra turned to Rāghava and said, "Oh Rāma, my boy! You may have a look at the Bow now!" To the delight of King Janaka, Lord Rāma came forward after seeking Sage Vishwāmitra's permission and pacifying Lakshmana. As He paced towards the bow, Sītā was filled with love and anticipation. She prayed to Gaurī Śankara and Ganesha. Devī Jānakī gazed lovingly at Lord Rāma and out of Her tenderness, She prayed for the bow to become lighter. The Lord glanced at Sītā and assured Her.

After saluting all the Deities and venerable people in the assembly, Rāghava laid His tender Lotus hands on the great bow of Lord Shankara. He didn't experience any difficulty in handling it. He playfully gripped the bow and lifted it with ease. In a majestic manner, He extended the bow's string up to His ear to examine its tautness. On stringing the bow, it snapped into two creating a deafening noise which shook the earth and echoed through the entire universe!

Gods, Sages and demons closed their ears and eyes with their hands, the horses of the Sun God strayed from their divine course, the elephants of all quarters trumpeted, the Serpent King, the divine boar and tortoise fidgeted about and everyone anxiously began to ponder over the cause. When they came to know that Lord Rāma had strung the bow, everyone shouted with joy!

Sītā gladly thanked Goddess Gaurī and felt blessed and blissful. Flowers showered on Srī Rāma who stood elegantly with the bow of Mahādeva broken by Him. King Janaka announced that Sītā would be Rāma's Bride and everyone rejoiced at the announcement of the Royal Wedding.

To be continued....

Yours,

Hari Priye