Miscellaneous - Religion   

Partial manifestation

CHENNAI : Among the major incarnations of the Almighty, His descents in human form as Rama and Krishna are hailed in the scriptural texts as full manifestations. In the other ones even a partial expression of His divine splendour was enough to accomplish the purpose of His descents. Parasurama was one such incarnation and the Ramayana describes the brief encounter between Rama and Parasurama, which highlights the significance of their meeting. Born to Sage Jamadagni, Parasurama's temper was legendary. He had annihilated 21 generations of kings to avenge his father's death by a cruel king and proceeded to perform intense penance to suppress his anger.

In his discourse, Nagai Sri Mukundan said after the wedding ceremony of Rama and Sita in Mithila, Dasaratha escorted them back to Ayodhya. On the way Parasurama suddenly accosted them wielding an axe causing Dasaratha's army to halt abruptly. The king was naturally distressed to see Parasurama's anger and immediately prostrated at His feet in a bid to forestall any untoward development. But He was not that easily appeased for He had been disturbed in His penance by the sound of Siva's bow broken by Rama before marrying Sita and hurried to meet the one who had accomplished it.

Parasurama challenged Rama saying that if He could bend the bow of Vishnu in His possession He would fight with Him. Rama smilingly bent the bow and pulled the string, and asked Parasurama where He should target the arrow He was about to discharge. Rama told He would not kill Him though He had destroyed the kings of this Earth and their wards as He was the son of Sage Jamadagni who was a master of the Vedas, and also because he had been doing penance. Yet, the arrow that He had fitted in the bow could not be wasted.

Parasurama immediately made amends saying, "O embodiment of justice, do not be angry with me. You are the Supreme Lord and I realised this only now. Even the bow I have given You is no match for Your extraordinary prowess. The arrow You propose to shoot need not go waste; let it take away the merit of the penance I have done." The objective of His incarnation fulfilled Parasurama transferred His spiritual power to Rama and took leave of Him.

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