Abashed by the consciousness of her anxious agitation, she summoned up courage in her heart and confidently said to herself, ‘If I am true to my vow in thought, word and deed, and if my heart be sincerely attached to the lotus feet of Rama, -

She looked upon the Lord and resolved to love him even at the cost of her life. Rama, the embodiment of compassion, understood it all; looking at Sita, he glanced at the bow as Garuda (the king of birds and a sworn enemy of serpents) might glance at a poor little snake.

-then God, who dwells in the hearts of all, will make me Raghubara’s handmaid; for wherever there is true affection of soul to soul, union will of a surety follow.

When Lakshmana saw that the jewel of the house of Raghu had his eyes fixed upon Shiva’s bow, he thrilled with excitement, and stamping on the earth, cried the aloud:

‘O elephants of the quarters, O divine tortoise, O serpent-king, and O divine boar, take courage and hold fast the earth that it shake not! For Rama is about to break the great bow of Shiva; hearken my command and be alert!”

When Rama drew near to the bow, men and women present there involved the help of the gods and recalled the merit their past good deeds had won. The doubts and ignorance of all, the arrogance of the foolish princes,

-the proud pretensions of Parashurama (the chief of the house of Bhrigu), the fears of gods and high sages, the distress of Sita, Janaka’s remorse and the burning anguish of the queens,