Canto 1 - Boyhood
Bāla-kāṇḍa
Chapter 76: Lord Rāma Strings Lord Viṣṇu’s bow
Text 1.76.8
न ह्ययं वैष्णवो दिव्यः शरः परपुरञ्जयः।
मोघः पतति वीर्येण बलदर्पविनाशनः॥
na hy ayaṁ vaiṣṇavo divyaḥ śaraḥ para-purañjayaḥ
moghaḥ patati vīryeṇa bala-darpa-vināśanaḥ
na hi = not; ayam = this; vaiṣṇavaḥ = of Lord Viṣṇu; divyaḥ = divine; śaraḥ = arrow; para-purañjayaḥ = that can destroy the opponents’ cities; moghaḥ = in vain; patati = shall fall; vīryeṇa = by its prowess; bala-darpa-vināśanaḥ = for it can destroy others’ strength and pride.
This divine arrow of Lord Viṣṇu that can destroy the opponents’ cities shall not fall in vain, for it can destroy others’ strength and pride by its prowess.
This arrow will not fall in vain, that is, without piercing its target, it will not silently fall away.