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.)
