The king then seated the messengers close by him and addressed them in sweet and winning tones: ‘Tone me, friends, are the two boys well? Have you had a good look at them with your own eyes?

One is dark and the other fair, and they both are equipped with bow and quiver and are of tender age and are with Vishvamitra the sage. Do you recognize them? If so, tell me how they are’. Overwhelmed with love, the king asked thus again and again.

‘Ever since the sage took them away with him I have had no definite news of them until today. Tell me how Janaka was able to recognize them.’ At these fond words the messengers smiled and replied,

‘Listen, O crest-jewel of monarchs; there is no one so blessed as you who have Rama and Lakshmana for your sons, the two jewels of the universe.

No enquiry is needed in respect of your sons, who are lion-heroes and the light of the universe, before whose glory and splendour the moon looks dim and the sun appears cold.

About them, my lord, you ask how they came to be recognized! Does one take a lamp in one’s hand to look at the sun? Numerous were the princes who had assembled on the occasion of Sita’s nuptial choice, and each more valiant than the next;

-yet not one of them could stir Shiva’s bow and all failed, those mighty princes. The might of all those who boasted of their prowess in the three worlds was crushed by it.