In plain words
It was a letter written by King Janaka, inviting Viśvāmitra to come and take part in the yajña he had undertaken. At once Viśvāmitra set out for Mithilā. Sannyāsīs have no luggage to pack, after all! Throwing a cloth over himself: “Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa! Are you coming too?” he asked. To this Rāma: “Swami! Our father sent us only to guard your yajña, not to see the yajña King Janaka is performing, did he!” He said. Then Viśvāmitra spoke words to stir the eagerness of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. “My son! That is a very great yajña. Janaka has Śiva's bow. No one can so much as move it. That bow of Śiva, they say, his daughter Sītā once lifted with ease. So Janaka has resolved to give his daughter in marriage only to the one who can string Śiva's bow. In connection with this he is beginning a yajña,” he told them. In the end he won them over and took them with him to the city of Mithilā.
The assembly ground was packed with the people of Mithilā. Kings from land after land came. Among them was Rāvaṇa too. He was huge of body and mighty in strength. He himself came forward first of all to lift Śiva's bow. As he went to lift the bow, swinging his arms proudly, all the kings were astonished. “If by chance he is able to string Śiva's bow, Janaka will have to give Sītā to him in marriage, will he not! His very form is so fearsome. How can Janaka give the delicate Sītā to such a one? Well, let us see what happens,” the people were saying among themselves. First Rāvaṇa tried with his left hand to lift that bow. It did not move. Using all his strength, he tried with both hands. But he could not, and fell down. Ahaṅkāra leads to a fall. Disgrace is the one fruit Ahaṅkāra wins. Honour and esteem neither come within reach of one who has Ahaṅkāra nor stay with him.