Fascinating encounter between Lord Parashurama and Lord Rama in Valmiki Ramayana - Part 2 of 2

Minor update on 23rd Oct. 2019

This post follows up on my earlier post: Fascinating encounter between Lord Parashurama and Lord Rama in Valmiki Ramayana - Part 1 of 2, https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2019/10/fascinating-encounter-between-lord.html.

[Note that the Valmiki Ramayan verses referenced in this chapter can be seen here: https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=76 and https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga76/bala_76_frame.htm]

Lord Rama responds to Lord  Parashurama: O Bhargava (Parashurama) I have heard of the work you have done to repay the debt to your father and appreciate it. [Verse 1-76-2]

O Bhargava (Parashurama) you are belittling me as if I am without valour and ability to perform duties of a Kshatriya. Now see my power and valour! [Verse: 1-76-3]

After saying this, the enraged Rama quickly seized the bow and arrow from the hands of Parashurama. [Verse: 1-76-4]

Enraged Rama bent the bow, stretched its string and affixed the arrow to it, and then told Parashurama: [Verse: 1-76-5]

You are a Brahmin and related to Vishwamitra and so you are worthy of homage (worship). So I am not able to release this life-taking arrow on you. [Verse: 1-76-6]

O Parashurama, I shall destroy your ability to move around or the higher worlds you earned through your matchless ascetic power. Tell me which one you desire (me to destroy). [Verse: 1-76-7]

This divine arrow of Vishnu is the conqueror of enemy citadels and destroyer of their strength and vigour, and it shall not go in vain. [Verse: 1-76-8]

To see this encounter, divine beings of various kinds (devas, gandharvas, siddhas etc.) had assembled.

Then as Rama is wielding the great bow, the world was motionless. Parashurama, the son of Jamadagni, became powerless and gazed (in astonishment) at Rama! [Verse: 1-76-11]

Parashurama who is motionless and whose power and energy has been subdued by the prowess of Rama, slowly and softly spoke to lotus petal eyed one (Rama): [Verse: 1-76-12]

When I previously gave this entire earth to Kashyapa, he told me that I shall not live in this country. O Rama, I promised Kashyapa that I shall not live here during night time as the earth belongs to him. [Verses: 1-76-13 & 14]

Therefore O valiant son of the Raghus (Raghav i.e. Rama), do not destroy my ability to move around. I shall go to Mountain Mahendra, the best of mountains, with the speed of mind. [Verse: 1-76-15]

O Rama, without delay strike the unrivalled (higher) worlds that I conquered through my asceticism (tapas) [Verse: 1-76-16]

By (your feat of) stretching this (great) bow, I have come to know that you are the imperishable, Lord of devatas (divine beings), the slayer of Madhu (Lord Vishnu) and the tormentor of enemies. May you do well! [Verse: 1-76-17]

The hosts of divine beings (devatas) assembled here are gazing at you, who are invincible in combat and incomparable in your deeds. [Verse: 1-76-18]

It is not appropriate for me to feel shame at being defeated by you, O descendent of Kakustha (Lord Rama) who are lord of the three worlds. [Verse: 1-76-19]

O Rama, you are faithful to your vows. (So) the right action is for you to release the arrow. After you have released the arrow, I shall go to the best of mountains - Mahendra. [Verse: 1-76-20]

As Parashurama said these words, the valiant son of Dasharatha (Lord Rama) released the great arrow. [Verse: 1-76-21]

After seeing the destruction of the worlds that he had gained through his ascetism by the hand of Lord Rama (the arrow he shot), Lord Parashurama went to Mahendra, the best of mountains. [Verse: 1-76-22]

Then the darkness dissipated in all directions. The assembled rishis (sages) and divine beings extolled Lord Rama who was holding the upraised weapon (great bow). [Verse: 1-76-23]

The able Lord Parashurama praised Lord Rama and circumabulated him (as worship), and left for his abode. [Verse: 1-76-24]

Ravi: Fascinating encounter! Lord Rama's greatness as a warrior gets greatly enhanced by him accepting the challenge from Lord Parashurama and easily passing the challenge. Not only does he show that he can handle the great bow of Lord Vishnu, he also makes Lord Parashurama pay for having made the challenge by saying that the powerful arrow he has fit on the great bow will either destroy's Parashurama's mobility or destroy the worlds that he had gained from asceticism! Lord Parashurama chooses the latter.

Another interesting aspect is that when Rama takes the great bow of Lord Vishnu, Lord Parashurama loses his vigour and strength and is made motionless! Now Lord Parashurama understands well that Lord Rama is a great divine power. Lord Parashurama also shows the good sense to acknowledge and defer to this great divine power that Lord Rama is!

It is such encounters that tell us about how great Lord Rama's warrior power was, and that it was superhuman. And even in Lord Rama's life itself, after this encounter with Lord Parashurama, Lord Rama's fame as a superhuman warrior would have reached great heights, and would have spread across the lands in Bharat of those days.

[I thank valmiki.iitk.ac.in and valmikiramayan.net and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me referencing the above pages from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]