Rama & Parasuram Debate
“ Hey Dasratha’s son Rama, heard that you have slain many a Rakshasaas like Thataka, Subhau and released Ahalya of her Curse. Also you lifted , bent, strung and broke the Siva’s Bow. I am hearing that you have immense Strength and Valour. It is astounding that Siva Bow had been broken and it is not even imaginable in mind. Hence to know the Truth of this happening I have come with Bow. This special Bow I got because of my father Jhamadagni. If it is true that you broke Siva’s Bow , then lift this bow, bend it and string it up and mount this Great Arrow, that will help me realize your strength, appreciate your Valour and I will fight with you.
Dasaratha despite knowing his son Rama’s extraordinary valour and strength, because of the Affection he had for him his face became pale and in a faint voice said “ Hey Master ! You are a Brahmin. Immense Compassion is your natural behavior. You have already attained fame by slaying many a King, will it behove of you by winning over this young Child Rama?, Have you not already forsaken your annoyance with Kshatriyas (Warriors), why enmity towards this young lad? is he a matter for you?. Further I did not have child for 60,000 years and observed many a penance and restrictions and got these Children Princes. Please grant shelter to them. You are born in a Dynasty which is focused on Vedathyananm (Learning of Vedas) , Observance of Vrat (Fasting, observance of Discipline continuously) born in Bharghava Kula, you have surpassed your ancestors by you sublime behavior, will the battle of Ksahtriya Dharma is it right?21 Times who had wiped out the Kingly clan and gave in Charity this Earth to Sage Kashyapa. You had also taken vow with Indra not to take the Bow again and had said ‘ thus far I had been doing things against my Jhadi Dharma (Varnashrama Kula of being a Brahmin) {ie Brahmins are simpletons who do prayers and teachers and live on alms given by others.} and having given room to Anger, I had done torturing of Living beings and hereafter I will follow my Dharma only.”with repentence. You had also done a Yaga in remorse as a Prayashchith (act seeking forgiveness in repentence/ atonement) and you had given Sage Kashyap (who was Athvarvyu) all the Lands you had won over and doing severe penance in Mahendra Mountain. It is my misfortune that you have come to eliminate my Dyansty. ‘If one son dies everything will not go away’ please do not thinks so as Rama is the perennial moral source of living for all of us including these great sages, this is Eternal Truth. what I mean if anything misfortune happens to him then all of us will die,there is no doubt on that score” said Dasratha.
Parasuram just did not bother for Dasaratha’s plea and totally ignoring him addressed Rama “In yester years Vishwakarma made 2 very Great Ideally Perfect Bows , they have Divine powers and are well known in all worlds and are exteemly Sturdy, Immeasurably strong, matchless, and have been manufactured with great difficulty.For God Siva to fight the Trhipuraasura; Devas gave 1 Bow to God Siva. The Bow you broke in Janaka’s care was same.The Bow in my hand is the 2ndone.This Devas had given to Maha Vishnu. This Bow which is permeating radiance is equal to Siva’s bow and equal in strength as well. “Let me tell you why I was given this Bow” please Listen said Parasuram to Rama.
After Thripura Samhara(killing) Devas got a big doubt. To remove same went to God Brahma and said “ hey God! Maha Vishnu’s is having exceptional Valour. Taking the Varaha Avathar he brought Earth from Paathaal and had done similar awe inspiring acts, these were narrated often by your goodselves to us often. But Rudra won over Unbeatable Thripurasura keeping Vishnu as an arrow. ‘Who is more Valorous is it Vishnu or Siva?’ Brahma thought how many times I have to explain this to them and thought it better to get it exihibit the Valour of both of them in the open. Brahma went to Vishnu and said “ Hye God! During Tripura Samhaara I was the Archer and main person, after all Vishnu was only an Arrow says Paramasiva demeaning your.”.Like wise Brahma went to Rudra and said “ oh God ! During Thripura Samhaaram I was the Tip of the Arrow and had I not helped him would he have been Victorious over them? Says Vishnu belittling you.”.thus Brahma openly instigated both of them and created a Rivalry.
They also understood the purpose of Brahma and fought one against another in such ferocity that all living beings had hair raising experience.Then Maha Vishnu without touching the weapon made a sound ‘ Hoom’ then Parama Siva’s Bow lost it’s strength. God Siva’s 3rd Eye was not useful as it has already been used and stood there in amazement speechless. Then all Devas, Rishis and others Ghosts requested both of them to stop the battle and they became quite. Devas then said Now we have no Doubt., we have seen the reality more than believeing Brahma’s words. .During Thripura Samhaaram Maha Vishnu’s Energy was the Tip of the Arrow and it helped God Siva to be Victorious. Now that it has been shifted the Bow has lost it’s Vitality so God Vishnu is more Valorous than God Siva” thus they concluded.
Rudra was angry and gave the Bow and Arrow to Devaratah King of Videha who was a Kingly Rishi. Maha Vishnu gave his sturdy Bow to Brighu clan Reechiga who in turn gave it to his son Jhamadagni. My father who had an aura of radiance and and matchless fame was killed by Kaarthveerya Arjuna when my fater did not have the Bow with him at that time in a cruel manner. This was a Sin unheard off till then of killing a Brahmin.. I got extremely angry I went on killing 21 generations of Kings from their Roots.I won over the Earth and conducted a Yaga and handed over the earth to Sage Kashyap as Fees. I am doing penance in Maherdra Mountain. When I hear of your breaking the Siva’s bow I have come immediately. This Vishnu’s bow has come to me from my Grandfather passed on from generations. Please Lift, bend, string the bow and mount this Arrow, do not say like Brahmin, ‘I can not’ .Do not forget you have been born in a Great Valorous Ksahtriya Dynasty.Even if you do as I have told you, I am not going to leave you. To test your Valour will fight with you .“said Parasurama. (Slokas 28)
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