As King Janaka recounted his tale, his voice was filled with reverence and wonder. “While I was preparing the fields, clearing the earth with my own hands, I discovered a most extraordinary child. She emerged from the furrow itself—a radiant girl, famed as Sītā. She arose from the earth and grew up as my beloved daughter, though born of no mother’s womb. Recognizing the divine nature of her birth, I resolved that her hand would be won only by exceptional prowess. Sītā, my daughter without a womb, would be the prize for one who could prove himself worthy. Soon, kings from every corner of the earth came to Mithilā, all eager to win her as their bride. Each ruler longed for Sītā, and many presented themselves before me. But, O best of sages,” Janaka continued, addressing Viśvāmitra, “I declared, ‘I will not give my daughter except in exchange for a display of true prowess.’ Hearing this, all the assembled kings, desirous of proving their strength, were brought before the mighty bow of Shiva—a sacred heirloom of our house. One by one, these kings tried to lift the bow, to string it, to show their might. Yet none could even raise it from its place. Their strength fell short, and, seeing their failure, I refused their suit. Angered and humiliated, the kings besieged Mithilā, doubting their own power and seeking to avenge their pride. They surrounded the city, and for a whole year they afflicted us, exhausting their resources and bringing great distress upon me. In my sorrow, I turned to the gods, performing austerities and seeking their favor. Pleased with my devotion, the gods granted me an army of four divisions. Thus strengthened, my forces routed the besieging kings, who fled in defeat, their pride broken. Those who had failed, along with their ministers—evildoers all—departed, and the radiant bow remained in my care. Now, O steadfast one,” Janaka said, turning to Viśvāmitra, “I shall show this sacred bow to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. If Rāma, son of Daśaratha, can string it, then I will give my daughter Sītā, the child who arose from the earth, to him as his bride.” As Janaka finished his story, the great sage Viśvāmitra spoke: “O King, show the bow to Rāma.” At once, Janaka commanded his ministers, “Bring forth the divine bow, adorned with fragrant garlands.” Obeying his order, the ministers entered the city and, with great effort, brought out the enormous chest in which the bow was kept. It took five hundred strong men straining together to move the eight-wheeled chest. When they had placed it before the assembly, they addressed Janaka: “O king, here is the excellent bow, honored by all kings. Behold it, if you wish.” Janaka, with joined palms, then addressed Viśvāmitra and the two princes, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. “This is the sacred bow, revered by the line of Janaka and by mighty kings, though none have ever succeeded in stringing it. Not even the hosts of gods, nor the asuras, nor the rākṣasas, nor the foremost among gandharvas, yakṣas, kinnaras, or great serpents could string this bow, let alone mortal men. Yet, O sage, the bow is here—let it be shown to these two princes.” Viśvāmitra then turned to Rāma. “My child, Rāma, behold the bow.” At the sage’s command, Rāma approached the chest, opened it, and gazed at the divine weapon. “I will touch this excellent bow with my hand,” he said, “and I will strive to lift and string it as well.” “So be it,” replied Janaka, and Viśvāmitra gave his blessing. With effortless ease, Rāma took hold of the bow in the middle, as all watched in awe. Before the eyes of thousands, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu line, strung the bow as easily as one bends a reed. Then, drawing the bow fully, he pulled it back with such strength that it broke in the middle with a mighty thunderclap. The earth itself trembled as if a mountain had split apart. The assembled people were stunned by the sound and fell to the ground, save for Viśvāmitra, King Janaka, and the two princes. When the crowd recovered, Janaka, his heart filled with wonder, spoke with joined palms to the sage: “O revered one, I have witnessed the strength of Rāma, son of Daśaratha. This deed is truly marvelous, inconceivable, and beyond all expectation. Now, my vow is fulfilled: Sītā, my daughter dearer than life, shall be given to Rāma. She will bring everlasting fame to the house of Janaka. With your consent, O Brāhmaṇa, let my ministers swiftly go to Ayodhyā in fast chariots to invite King Daśaratha. Let them respectfully inform him of my daughter’s giving, won by prowess, and tell him as well of his two sons, protected by the sage. With affection, let them bring the king here with all speed, that the joyous union may be celebrated in Mithilā.