Page:Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists.djvu/51

 ancient stories to the two brothers, and especially the story of the birth of Gangā, the great river Ganges.

Janaka welcomed the ascetics with much honour, and appointing them to seats according to their rank, he asked who those brothers might be that walked amongst men like lions or elephants, godlike and goodly to be seen. Vishvāmitra told King Janaka all the history of Dasharatha's sons, their journey to Siddhāshrāma and fight with the rākshasas, and how Rāma had now come to Mithila to see the famous bow.

Next day Janaka summoned the brothers to see the bow. First he told them how that bow had been given by Shiva to the gods, and by the gods to his own ancestor, Devarata. And he added: "I have a daughter, Sītā, not born of men, but sprung from the furrow as I ploughed the field and hallowed it. On him who bends the bow I will bestow my daughter. Many kings and princes have tried and failed to bend it. Now I shall show the bow to you, and if Rāma succeed in bending it I shall give him my daughter Sītā."

Then the great bow was brought forth upon an eight-wheeled cart drawn by five thousand tall men. Rāma drew the bow from its case and strove to bend it; it yielded easily, and he strung and drew it till at last it snapped in two with the sound of an earthquake or a thunder-clap. The thousands of spectators were amazed and terrified, and all but Vishvāmitra, Janaka, Rāma, and Lakshman fell to the ground. Then Janaka praised Rāma and gave orders for the marriage to be prepared, and sent messengers to Ayodhyā to invite Rāja Dasharatha to his son's wedding, to give his blessing and consent.

Thereafter the two kings met and Janaka bestowed Sītā upon Rama, and his second daughter Urmilā on Lakshman.