RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 75
RAMA AND RAMA
The haughty one turned toward Rama and cried out. “Rama! You son of Dasaratha. The voice of fame does not speak in measured tones of your might. I know all about your breaking the bow of Mahadeva. That was a wonderful feat. And one would hardly think you are capable of it. Close on the heels of the report I came here with this bow. String this weapon of my honoured sire. It is no light task for your boyish hands. And fit this shaft to it. Then I will be convinced of your might. And then I shall be pleased to offer you the honour of battle with me. Your valour then entitles you to be so distinguished.”
The aged king turned towards him of the Axe. The king’s face was blanched with terror and pitiable with grief. He made this entreaty to him in these words, “You are a Brahmana. And you are of cloudless fame. Long before this, you have laid aside the relentless vengeance against the race of kings. With raised hands I implore you not to harm my innocent ones. You come of the race of Bhrigu. They were men famous for saintly wisdom and chaste vows. You passed your word to the Lord of the Celestials and laid aside the weapon of wrath. You took to the path of peace and righteaousness. You made over the land yours by conquest to Kasyapa. And then you sought the quiet solitudes of Mahendra. But here you are to send us all along the path of destruction. For, there is no doubt that we will outlive Rama if any harm should come his way.”
But Parasurama ignored him and his words and spoke to Rama again. Long ago, Viswakarman fashioned two bows. He is the Architect of the Gods. Both bows were firm and of celestial might. They are famous throughout the worlds. One of them the Gods gave to Siva. They gave the bow when Siva marched forth to destroy the fierce Asuras of the Three Cities. And that was the one you broke. The other bow I have here. It was given to the Lord Vishnu. It is equal in strength to the one handled by Rudra.
Lo and see how it blazes forth in its divine lustre!
Well, the gods sought out Brahma. And questioned him about the respective mights of the Lords Vishnu and Mahadeva. The self-born One read into their hearts and set the one against the other. Great was the fight that ensued between the two. It was frightful to behold. For each strove his best to get the better of the other.
Then Vishnu sent forth a might shout. ‘Hum’ he cried and the terrible bow of Mahadeva gave way. And Himself was stupefied by that. Then, Angels and Gods, sages, and saints, approached and implored them to lay aside their wrath. When they looked at the bow of Siva break before the might of Vishnu, the shadow of doubt vanished. And Vishnu stood the mightier of the two.
The Lord Mahadeva’s heart was still sore with the sense of defeat. He gave his bow and shafts to king Devarata of the Videhas. Vishnu handed over his mighty bow and arrows unto Richika of the line of Bhrigu.
My sire Jamadagni got it from him. Later on, he engaged in severe austerities. And unspeakable was the might that accrued to him thereby. He laid aside his weapons of his war. They had become useless to him. But king Arjuna slew in cold blood the unoffending sage. The cruel death of my sire burnt into my heart. And I cried out for vengeance. And I laid my axe at the root of the race of kings. I wiped them off the face of the earth. I subdued the earth by the might of my arms. And at a grand sacrifice, I offered it to the great Kasyapa. Thereafter I went to Mount Mahendra and engaged myself in severe austerities.
But today I happened to hear the Gods speak to one another of thy wonderful feat. They spoke in tones of admiration and awe. They said you broke the bow of Mahadeva. I hastened here to assure myself of the truth of the report.
You take this bow used by the Lord Vishnu. Walk in the path of your forefathers of stainless fame. You fit this shaft of fiery energy to the string. If you succeed in doing that, I shall offer you a chance to measure yourself with me.”
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