The world will speak well of him and the idea will find favour with all. On the other hand, if he be stubborn, he shall have to rue it bitterly in the end!’ All were absorbed in the same ardent desire and thought, ‘The dark-complexioned prince is a sutiable bridegroom for Janaka’s daughter.’

Then Janaka summoned the bards, and they came proclaiming the state and dignity of his royal line. ‘Go’, said the king, ‘and proclaim my vow’. Filled with great joy, the bards went off.

They made this noble proclamation, ‘Hearken, all ye princes; with our long arms uplifted we announce to you Janaka’s pledge!

Though the might of your arms be as the moon, yet Shiva’s bow is the planet Rahu; it is massive and unyielding, as is well known to all. Even those great and might champions, Ravana and Banasura, slipped quietly away as soon as they saw the bow.

Whoever in this royal assembly breaks today the yonder unbending bow of Shiva, him shall Videha’s daughter wed forthwith without hesitation, and he shall triumph over the three worlds’.

When they heard the pledge, all the princes were filled with longing, and those who pride themselves on their valour felt indignant. Girding up their lions, they rose impatiently, and bowing their heads to their chosen deities, came forward.

They cast an angry look at Shiva’s bow, grasped it with steady aim and exerted all their strength; but the bow refused to be lifted. Those princes, however, who had some sense did not even go near it.