Episode 1 of 7 · Bala Kanda

Rama and the Great Bow

Young Rama lifts the giant bow of Shiva in the city of Mithila, and meets Sita.

Long ago, in the city of Ayodhya, King Dasharatha had four sons. The eldest was kind and brave Rama.
Rama grew up with his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. They played together, learned together and always shared.
One day Rama and Lakshmana travelled to the city of Mithila with a wise teacher. A princess named Sita lived there.
King Janaka, Sita's father, had a giant bow that belonged to Lord Shiva. "Whoever can lift this bow may marry Sita," he said. Many strong kings tried. Nobody could even move it.
Then Rama walked up. He lifted the bow as if it was light as a feather. He pulled the string, and SNAP! The great bow broke in two. Everyone gasped.
Sita smiled and gave Rama a garland of flowers. Rama and Sita were married, and the whole city celebrated with songs and lamps.

The moralReal strength is gentle and kind.

Talk about it: Rama was very strong, but he was gentle too. How can you be strong and gentle?

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Facts, a quiz and words to know

The Ramayana was composed by the sage Valmiki, who is called the Adi Kavi, the "first poet". It has about 24,000 verses in seven books called kandas.
Sita is also called Janaki, "daughter of Janaka", and Maithili, "of Mithila". Her name means a furrow, and the story says King Janaka found her in the soil while ploughing.
Rama's three brothers were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Their mothers were Queens Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra.
The great bow belonged to the god Shiva. In many tellings it is called Pinaka.