When the sage Viśvāmitra had praised Rāma, the best among men, he dismissed King Janaka, who departed in great contentment and satisfaction. Obedient to the sage’s words, Janaka, the lord of Mithilā and descendant of Vaideha, respectfully circumambulated Viśvāmitra, accompanied by his teachers and relatives, before taking his leave. Viśvāmitra, righteous of soul, then returned to his own hermitage, accompanied by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and was honored by all the great-souled ones present. As a new day dawned, pure and auspicious, King Janaka performed his morning duties and then summoned the illustrious sage Viśvāmitra, together with the noble Raghavas, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. The king received them with all the honors prescribed by sacred tradition. Turning to the sons of Raghu, Janaka spoke warmly: “O revered sir, welcome! What can I do for you, O faultless one? Please instruct me, for I am ready to serve you.” Viśvāmitra, noble and skilled in speech, replied to Janaka, “These two are the sons of Daśaratha, renowned among kṣatriyas. They wish to see the excellent bow that is in your possession. Blessings upon you—show this bow to the princes, whose wishes are fulfilled. Once they have seen it, they may depart as they desire.” Janaka responded to the sage, “Let me tell you, revered one, why this bow is here. Long ago, Devarata, eldest son of King Nimi, received this bow as a sacred trust. In ancient times, when Daksha’s sacrifice was destroyed, the mighty Lord Shiva strung this bow in his wrath. In anger, he threatened the gods, saying, ‘Because you have not given me my share of the sacrifice, I will destroy your precious and divine limbs with this bow.’ Distressed, the gods sought to appease Bhava, the Lord of the gods, and he was pleased with their supplication. In his satisfaction, Shiva gave this magnificent bow to the gods, and it was then entrusted to my ancestor. As for my daughter, while I was ploughing the field, she arose from the furrow—thus she is known as Sītā. Born not from a womb, she grew up as my own daughter, and I resolved that her hand would be won only through prowess. Many kings came from all corners of the earth, seeking her in marriage, but I declared, ‘I will not give my daughter except to one who proves his valor.’ For this test, the bow of Shiva was brought forth. Yet, none of the assembled kings could even lift the bow, let alone string it. Frustrated and humiliated, the kings besieged Mithilā in anger, afflicting the city for a full year until their resources were exhausted. Greatly troubled, I performed austerities to propitiate the gods, and in their joy, they granted me a powerful army. The besieging kings, defeated and powerless, fled in all directions. O sage, this is the radiant bow, revered by all. Now, I will show this bow to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. If Rāma can string it, then I shall give my daughter Sītā, born of the earth, to the son of Daśaratha.” Hearing Janaka’s words, Viśvāmitra said, “Show the bow to Rāma.” Janaka then instructed his ministers, “Bring forth the divine bow, adorned with fragrant garlands.” The ministers, obeying their king, entered the city and emerged carrying the heavy, eight-wheeled iron chest that housed the bow. It took five hundred strong men, straining together, to move it. Presenting the chest before Janaka, the ministers addressed him, “O king, here is the excellent bow, honored by all rulers. Behold it, O lord of Mithilā, if you so wish.” Janaka, with joined palms, addressed Viśvāmitra and the two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa: “O Brāhmaṇa, this bow has been revered by generations of Janakas and by mighty kings, yet none have been able to string it. Indeed, not even the hosts of gods, nor asuras, nor rākṣasas, nor the foremost of gandharvas, yakṣas, kinnaras, or great serpents have succeeded with this bow.