At day break the next day, king Janaka having performed his daily devotions invited Visvamitra and the two princes over to the palace. Arriving at the palace the sage asked Janaka, to show Rama and Lakshmana the bow of Siva.Janaka then narrated the story of the great bow. "There was once a famous king, by name Devarata, born as the sixth descendant of Nimi, who had received this bow in trust from Lord Siva. At the time of the destruction of Daksha'syagna, Lord Siva had jestingly said to the devatas, "In your eagerness to partake of the sacrificial offerings, you have failed to reserve my portion. So I shall sever your precious heads with my bow".The devatas had immediately prayed for forgiveness and had won his grace. Siva had then gifted them this bow which they later passed on to Devaratha an ancestor of ours. Janaka went on to say that one-day while he was plowing the sacrificial grounds, the blade of the plow had uncovered a beautiful girl child, who rising from the earth and known as Sita was growing up as his daughter.

The king then said that whosoever sought her hand in marriage, was required to prove his strength.Many had sought but in vain. The bow was placed before those who were eager to test their strength, but none succeeded in even grasping or lifting it.Janaka had found none worthy of his daughter and the band of unsuccessful suitors frustrated and angered had laid siege to Mithila, harassing and tormenting its population.A full year had passed, and the king's resources were dwindling. Finding the situation precarious, Janaka had prayed to the gods who granted him an army consisting of the best of chariots, horses, elephants and infantry.This army had trounced and driven away the wicked kings and their armies. Offeringto show that bow of incomparable splendor to the Ikshvaku princes he said"If Rama could lift and string it, I would give my daughter to him in marriage".