Visvamitra heard Janaka and said, "Let the bow be shown to Rama".Ordered by the king, the mighty bow was brought festooned with flowers and smeared with sandal paste. Five thousand stalwarts were hard pressed to drag its eight-wheeled chest, which was then presented to Janaka who in turn presented it to Visvamitra saying, "Brahmin, here is the bow that the kings of Mithila worship the bow that has challenged the might of the mightiest.A challenge that has never been met even by the gods!Will it be possible for mere men?

Turning to Rama, Visvamitra said, "Behold the bow my son" and with his nod of approval, Rama took hold of the bow strung it, drew it and then the bow broke. The assembled multitude watched in awe and heard in fear that noise which was like a clap of thunder which reverberated from all directions. The earth shuddered as if the mountains were splitting. Of all those beholding the divine display of strength and valor, only Visvamithra, Janaka, and the two Raghavas remained standing while the rest, stunned, had fainted! The congregated masses slowly struggled back to their senses, seeming befuddled and dazed. When some semblance of normalcy had returned, king Janaka reverentially told Visvamitra that he had witnessed the strength of the great Ikshvaku prince, "I had pledged the hand of my daughter in marriage to him who would prove his might in handling the bow.I now bestow Sita on Rama, as a gift for that might". Sita with Rama as her lord will bring glory to my dynasty and she, who is dearer to me than my very life, shall be the consort of Rama. With your consent, my emissaries will hasten to Ayodhya to convey this news to Dasaratha'.