The Messengers Tell of the Bow No King Could Move
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 289
Doha 292 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha's sons need no introduction, the messengers say. They are lions among men and lamps of the three worlds. Before their fame, moonlight dims and the sun itself seems cool. A lamp cannot be used to reveal the sun.
Then the court hears of Mithila. Kings and warriors arrived one after another for Sita's swayamvara, yet none could shift Shiva's bow. The strength acclaimed across three worlds broke against it.
A hero capable of lifting Meru returned defeated. Even Ravana, who once raised Kailasha in play, suffered humiliation in that hall. By listing the greatest failures first, the messengers build around Ram's deed a vast silence of impossibility.
Before Ram enters the account, the might of three worlds lies defeated around Shiva's bow.
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पूछन जोगु न तनय तुम्हारे। पुरुषसिंघ तिहु पुर उजिआरे।। जिन्ह के जस प्रताप कें आगे। ससि मलीन रबि सीतल लागे।। तिन्ह कहँ कहिअ नाथ किमि चीन्हे। देखिअ रबि कि दीप कर लीन्हे।। सीय स्वयंबर भूप अनेका। समिटे सुभट एक तें एका।। संभु सरासनु काहुँ न टारा। हारे सकल बीर बरिआरा।। तीनि लोक महँ जे भटमानी। सभ कै सकति संभु धनु भानी।। सकइ उठाइ सरासुर मेरू। सोउ हियँ हारि गयउ करि फेरू।। जेहि कौतुक सिवसैलु उठावा। सोउ तेहि सभाँ पराभउ पावा।।
Your sons need no introduction, O King. They are lions among men, the light of all three worlds. Before the radiance of their fame and glory, the moon grows dim and the sun feels cool. How can one speak of them, O lord, or point them out? Can the sun be seen by the light of a lamp? At Sita's svayamvara, countless kings assembled, mighty warriors arriving one after another. None could move Shiva's bow in the slightest. Every brave and powerful hero went away defeated. All the proud warriors across the three worlds found their strength shattered against Shiva's bow. Even one who could lift Mount Meru departed heavyhearted, having failed. He who once lifted Mount Kailasha in sport met his defeat in that very assembly.