(In this episode, the Shiva Dhanus has been described by King Janaka.
Please read, comment and share. SDN)
The expression in this first stanza of Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s Sri
Charitra Manjari, which reads: “RAjAdiBhihi krutAm pUjAm sweekrutya”, means
that Sri Shatananda, King Janaka and all others honoured and worshipped Sri
Rama, Sri Lakshmana and sage Sri Vishwamitra, an ardent devotee of Sri Hari by
praising them and other methods of worship, in accordance with the rank and
file; Sri Rama received them all with grace and compassion. Securing their
permission, King Janaka returned to the place he had designated for the Holy Sacrifice
(Yajna Shala). Next morning, he sent an invitation and on their arrival, offered
a very pompous, rich and enchanting welcome to Vishwamitra, Sri Rama and
Lakshmana to the Yajna Shala.
The expression “BhanktwA ShivaDhanuhu”, which is substantiated with “SeethAswayamvarArTham
Rudram prati tapaha krutwA JanakEnalabDham ‘ya idam Dhanuhu pUrayEt tasmai imam
kanyAm pradAsyAm” means he (Sri Rama) set an arrow on the string of the bow,
which King Janaka had secured from Lord after propitiating him with a long
penance for the sake of holding the Swayamavara, a royal way of allowing a
princess to choose her fiancé from among the willing and eligible princes, and had promised ‘to marry his daughter Seetha
to anyone who would join the two ends of the bow by tying the string’, and in
the process Sri Rama broke it.
King Janaka said: “Oh Vishwamitra, I had no children and therefore
decided to perform a sacrifice. I had to plough the land for ensuring that in
about 10-15 ft. depth, hair, skeleton and other insane or unholy items are not lying
under the ground. At that time, a baby girl was found at the tip of the yoke
and therefore she was named as Seetha. I was as happy as a poor man finding a
huge treasure. She grew up very quickly like the stain on the surface of Moon. That
caused me a worry and I did not want to marry her off with an undeserving
person. I was trying to find a way to choose a perfect groom for her.
In the past, Daksha did not give offerings in a sacrifice to Lord
Rudra. Enraged by this insult, Lord Rudra cut the organs of deities who had ‘accepted’
the offerings made by Daksha. The deities then appealed to Lord Rudra and
sought his blessings. Impressed with their prayers, Lord Rudra pardoned them
and restored the severed organs. This is the reason Lord Rudra is known as “Kshipravaraprasada”
or one who quickly gets pleased and grants boons.
Devarata, the originator of our dynasty and elder brother of Nimi
impressed Lord Rudra with a long drawn penance. Pleased with his penance, Lord
Rudra presented Devarata with his bow. Neither he nor any other person in our
dynasty has been able to lift that bow till now. Just as none other than Lord
Vishnu in his incarnation as Varaha cannot lift the Earth, this bow cannot be lifted
by anyone except Lord Rudra. We are worshipping this bow as a manifestation of
Lord Rudra. The bow has been kept in a metal box with eight iron wheels by Lord
Rudra. The bow cannot be moved without moving the box in which it has been
kept. The box can only be moved from one place to another by five thousand
strong and well-built soldiers, with great effort. This is what Lord Rudra has
bestowed a boon upon it. I move the bow from one place to another on the
strength of that boon. (Rest of the story in next episode as it is a bit long.
SDN)
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