King Janaka, filled with admiration, spoke to the sage Viśvāmitra, “O son of Kuśika, your asceticism, your strength, and your virtues are truly immeasurable.” He then confessed, “My satisfaction with these wondrous tales knows no end, O lord; but, O best of sages, the time for duties draws near as the sun approaches its circle.” With reverence, Janaka requested, “Tomorrow at dawn, O illustrious one, you should see me again; O best of those who recite, you are welcome—please grant me leave.” Viśvāmitra, the eminent sage, praised Janaka—himself the best among men—and then swiftly dismissed him. Janaka, pleased and content, together with his teachers and relatives, circumambulated the sage in respect. Afterwards, Viśvāmitra, righteous-souled, returned to his own abode, accompanied by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, honored by the great-souled ones. As the next sarga begins, dawn arrives and the day is pure. King Janaka, having completed his morning duties, summons the great-souled Viśvāmitra, along with the Raghava princes, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. He honors the sage with the prescribed rites, then addresses the sons of Raghu, “Revered sir, welcome to you! What shall I do for you, O faultless one? Please command me, for I am to be commanded by you.” Viśvāmitra, skilled in speech, responds, “These two are the sons of Daśaratha, renowned kṣatriyas; they wish to see the excellent bow that is with you. Show this, blessings to you, to the princes whose wishes are fulfilled. After seeing this bow, they may depart as they desire.” Janaka replies, “Let it be heard for what reason this bow is here.” He recounts the history: Devarata, renowned as the eldest of Nimi, the king, received this bow as a trust placed in his hand by that great-souled one. Long ago, during the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the mighty Lord Shiva strung the bow and, in anger, shattered the gods, declaring, “Because you gods, seeking your share, did not allot me my portion, I will destroy your precious and divine limbs with this bow.” The gods, distressed, sought to appease Shiva, and Bhava became pleased with them. Pleased, he gifted them this jewel of a bow, belonging to the great-souled Lord of the gods. It was then deposited as a trust with Janaka’s ancestor, the illustrious king. Janaka continues, “As I was ploughing the field, she arose from the furrow. While I was clearing the field, I found her, famed by the name Sītā; she who arose from the earth grew as my daughter. My daughter, born of no womb, was established as the prize for prowess; she who arose from the earth grew as my own child. Kings came, O best of sages, seeking her hand; all the rulers of the earth desired to win my daughter. ‘O revered one, I do not give my daughter except for prowess as the bride-price.’ Then all the kings, O best of sages, having come to Mithila, wishing to prove their strength, for those who sought to be tested, the bow of Shiva was brought forth. They were unable to grasp that bow, nor even to lift it; seeing their strength to be lacking, O great sage, the kings were rejected. In great anger, all the kings, doubting their own prowess, besieged Mithila, feeling themselves insulted. Overcome with wrath, they afflicted the city; after a full year had passed, all their resources were exhausted. “I was greatly distressed, so I propitiated all the hosts of gods with my austerities. The gods, filled with supreme delight, gave the army of four divisions; then the defeated kings, being slain, fled in all directions. Those powerless, whose strength was in doubt, together with their ministers, evildoers—O best of sages, this is that supremely radiant bow. O steadfast one, I will show this to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa; if Rāma can string this bow, O sage, I shall give my daughter Sītā, born without a womb, to the son of Daśaratha.” As the next sarga opens, Viśvāmitra, hearing Janaka’s words, says, “Show the bow to Rāma.” King Janaka instructs his ministers, “Bring the divine bow, anointed with fragrant garlands.” Commanded by Janaka, the ministers enter the city; placing the bow in front, those mighty ones emerge. Fifty hundred men of great strength, straining together, somehow move the eight-wheeled chest that holds the bow. Taking that well-made iron chest, the ministers, like gods, speak to King Janaka, “O king, this is the excellent bow, honored by all kings; O lord of Mithilā, O king, behold it if you wish.” Thus, in the presence of sages and princes, the legendary bow of Shiva is brought forth, its history and significance recounted, and the stage set for a test of strength and destiny.