Laxman asked the earth and Sheshnath (the legendary serpent who holds the earth on its thousand hoods) to be prepared and girdled-up because Sri Ram will soon lift and string the bow, which is bound to be followed by an uproarious thunder and violent vibrations as the bow breaks. (Laxman alerted them to brace themselves for the violent tremors and the earthquake that would follow the breaking of the bow. This was necessary, lest the whole earth would topple over on its side and sink into the vast cosmic ocean.)