Miscellaneous - Religion   

Rama meets Parasurama

Chennai: After marrying Sita, Rama returns to Ayodhya. Just as the journey to Mithila was eventful, with Ahalya getting her liberation, the return journey too is eventful, for it is now that Rama meets Parasurama.

Sage Jamadagni, Parasurama’s father, had been in possession of the Divine cow Kamadhenu, and when the King Kartaviryarjuna stole it, Parasurama killed him. Kartaviryarjuna’s sons then killed Jamadagni. Enraged, Parasurama vowed to exterminate all kings, and set about doing it too. Parasurama’s given name was Bhargava Rama, but he later came to be known as Parasurama, because Siva gave him an axe (parasu) as a reward for his penance.

It is such a ferocious warrior who confronts Rama and the rest of His entourage. Parasurama tells Rama that He (Rama), has broken the Siva Dhanus. But would He be able to repeat the performance with the Vishnu dhanus that Parasurama has? Parasurama says Rama would be a worthy opponent, if He is able to string the Vishnu dhanus, whigh had been in the custody of Jamadagni.

There is a story behind Parasurama’s challenge, said M.V. Anantapadmanabhachariar. Once an argument arose as to who was superior-Vishnu or Siva, and they faced each other in battle. Vishnu merely gave a guttural growl, but so fierce was this growl that Siva’s bow developed a crack, and Vishnu’s supremacy was established. So the Siva dhanus that had been in Janaka’s possession and which Rama had broken, was in fact one that had already been damaged by Vishnu. But the Vishnu dhanus that Parasurama had was whole. So Parasurama asks Rama to demonstrate His prowess by stringing the Vishnu dhanus. Dasaratha pleads with Parasurama to spare his son. Rama, however, takes up the challenge calmly and strings the dhanus with ease. Rama then says to Parasurama that now that He has strung the bow, He needs a target. Parasurama offers his penance. He says he can see who Rama is. Thus Parasurama too recognises Rama as none other than Lord Narayana. He offers respects to Rama and departs. Thus through the Parasurama–Rama meeting, Rama’s Paratva is amply demonstrated.

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