I’m going to collect some thoughts here on my class translations of sargas from the Valmiki Rāmāyana. I’m having some trouble with the following सर्ग, no. 67, in the बालकाण्ड:
इदं धनुर्वरमं ब्रह्मञ्जनकैरभिपूजितं ॥
राजभिश्च महावीर्यैरशक्तैः पूरितुं पुरा ॥8॥
At this point, Śiva’s bow has been presented to Janaka by his vassals, and he says the above to विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं तौ चोभौ रामलक्श्मणौ (“..the great-souled Viśvamitra and both Rāma and Lakśmana”) after performing the añjali. I think the above verse just functions as Janaka‘s explanation, mostly to Rāma, of the history of the bow.
So what’s up with all of the instrumental plurals? Janakaih., Rājabhih., etc.? The first instance is followed by abhi-pūjitam. My first thought was that it could –– somehow –– be thought of as, “That divine bow, deeply venerated by Janakas,” weirdly pluralized… So I wonder whether there exists an idiomatic use of the instrumental plural as denoting ancestry or lineage? This would make it, “That divine bow, deeply venerated by the lineage of Janaka.” (Though it’s a bit odd that his own lineage would be referred to in the 3rd person.) I’ve seen similar translations online, but can’t find any sources explaining this idiomatic use –– assuming I’m interpreting it right…