SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY VIRACHITA SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY VIRACHITA

SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI   

Scene before the arrival of Parashurama

A few moments before Sri Parashurama arrived at the spot, a few birds produced some awkward, horrified sound. A severe wind blew across, producing a lot of dust. The scene and the atmosphere indicated that some catastrophe was imminent. A few mild animals revolved around Dasharatha and his cavalcade in clockwise direction, which indicated that something very good was also in store for them. Dasharatha sought to know from Vasishtha the meaning of those indicators. He said that very soon a serious threat would arise and it would quickly disappear.

A little later, Sri Parashurama came there. He was dazzling with radiation that was reminiscent of the fire of Great Dissolution. Vasishtha and other sages saw him. They knew that Sri Parashurama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who had completed twenty-one circumambulation of the Earth and killed ill-motivated, evil-spirited and wicked Kshatriyas, leaving a very few Kshatriyas, who were spiritually awakened. While killing the “unwanted” Kshatriyas, Sir Parashurama used to wear a fierce and ferocious form. After the battle, he had assumed a pleasant and peaceful form. But, at present, he is rushing towards the cavalcade of Dasharatha with his erstwhile horrible form, which perturbed Vasishtha and other sages. It appeared as though he was coming to precipitate another Kshatriya dynasty. Vasishtha addressed him: “Oh son of Jamadagni, you have accomplished the task you had undertaken. There are no bad elements here. Please withdraw your fierce form and show the pleasurable face. You have to protect Dasharatha and his children and other good people around.”

Parashurama did not want to heed as it would send wrong signals to demon Atula. He wanted to make Vasishtha and other sages aware of hidden intentions. He wanted them to offer prayers and make appeals to him and he should pretend as though he was disobeying them. He should confront Sri Rama and act as though Sri Rama had defeated him (Parashurama) to pretend that he had been defeated, despite being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His fake defeat would result in the death of demon Atula and make the boon delivered by Brahma true.

ಶ್ರೀ ಪರಶುರಾಮ ದಾಶರಥಿರಾಮ ಸಂಭಾಷಣ

“ಇದಂ ಧನುರಾಕೃಷ್ಯ ವಿಕರ್ಷಸಿ ತ್ವಂ, ತದಾ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾನ್ನಾರಾಯಣೋ(s)ಸಿ ಇತ್ಯುಕ್ತಃ|”

Sri ParashurAma DAsharathirAma samBhAShaNa

“Idam DhanurAkruShya vikarShasi twam, tadA sAkShAnnArAyaNO(s)si ityuktaha|”

Meaning: If you can pull this bow, set the string, set and fire an arrow from it, then you will be considered the real Narayana.

Parashurama ignored the appeals of Vasishtha and quickly stood in front of Rama. Showing the bow in his hand, he said: “Oh Rama, the entire world knows that I am an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anyone doubting this fact can consult Vaishtha here and get their suspicion cleared. The bow in my hand is the bow of Narayana. Narayana alone can wear it. None else can dream of wearing it. The bow you broke in the assemblage in the royal court of Janaka was the bow of Lord Rudra. That bow could be handled by Lord Rudra, persons of equal rank or above him, including myself and Lord Vayu, who belong to the Ruju Gana. Just because you broke that bow, it cannot be inferred that you are better than Lord Rudra. If you can set up this bow and fire an arrow from it, then I will accept that you are equal to me. All these people will also believe it. Therefore, take this bow and do the rest forthwith.”

Dasharatha appeals: Dasharatha, who was witnessing all this, joined his palms and saluted Parashurama with great reverence and fear. He said: “Oh Parashurama, impressed with the penance and prayers offered by Jamadagni and Renukadevi, you incarnated in them as their son. You have no attachment or detachment, love or hatred towards anything or anyone.  Yet, appreciating the intentions behind the prayers offered by Mother Earth to relieve her from the burden of some demonic creatures, you took this incarnation and massacred the troublesome demons. I am your devotee and you are always kind to your devotees. I deserve your love and protection. My children are not the same demonic spirits that you punished or sentenced. My children are good and pious. I am quite aged and you should not aggrieve me now by snatching away my children. Please drop your weapons.”

“SurArim hatwA” — Parashurama replied: “I am leaving your three sons as alms. Let Rama alone accept the challenge and earn the fame as nonchalant valiant.” Turning towards Rama, he he said: “Oh Rama, take this bow,” and handed over the bow to Rama. All gods and demi gods had gathered in the sky there to see the display of valor by Rama. Sri Rama took the bow from the hands of Parashurama with utmost comfort and ease, set it right, placed an arrow on the string.

Sri Rama said: “Oh Parashurama, you are not different from me as we are both incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The arrow I have set on this string cannot harm you. The arrow set by me cannot be wasted either. Please let me know the target where I can fire this arrow at.”

TEna bahirniShakasitam — Sri Parashurama addressed demon Atula, who was staying in his stomach: “Oh Atula, the arrow Sri Rama is going to fire is pointed towards my stomach, where you are now staying. It will certainly kill you. Therefore, come out and face the arrow.”

Atula came out, looked at the frightened face of Parashurama, the burning face of Rama and the dazzling arrow that Rama had set in the bow. He knew that his death was imminent. Even before he could realize the danger, Rama burnt him with the arrow. After killing demon Atula, the arrow returned to the quiver of Rama.

(Further substantiation of this episode in the next issue. Access all stories at https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3857926767002555602#allposts SDN.)