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Parshurama’s Entry and the Thunderous Bow
A greatly skilled personality of that time was Parshuramji. His case was the most complicated. This was the time of Seeta Swayamvar, a time when a bride could select her bridegrooms from a host of kings and princes invited to participate in a sport, the winner of which could have the bride. Here the bride was Srimati Seeta Devi.
It so happened that many hundreds of kings failed in their attempt to lift Lord Shiva’s bow that was handed over to King Janaka by none other than sage Parashurama.
Janaka Maharaja had kept the condition that whosoever succeeded in lifting and stringing the great Shiva Dhanush (Lord Shiva’s Bow), could have Seeta Devi as one’s consort. It was Sri Rama’s turn and the Supreme Being effortlessly lifted the bow which broke into two with a great thunder shaking the three worlds, as He attempted to string the bow.
Sri Rama’s Victory at Seeta Swayamvar
Sri Rama had won Srimati Seeta Devi’s hand, His eternal consort. This was one of His sweet Earthly Pastimes.
On the auspicious occasion of, Sage Parshurama, like a raging storm entered the palace, throwing his anger over the hearts of people assembled in the court. The entire palace engulfed in silence, rose to greet the furious Sage.
Parashurama’s Arrival at Janaka’s Palace
The world’s best warrior Parshurama barged into Janaka’s palace where he was received by Vishwamitraji.
बिस्वामित्रु मिले पुनि आई |
bisvāmitru mile puni āī |
Vishwamtira then instructed Sri Ram and Lakshman to bow before Parshuramji. The situation now took a U turn. The effect imprinted in the heart of Parshurama was not different from that of Sage Vishwamitra and Janaka.
Parashurama’s Wrath Over the Broken Bow
King Dasharatha was perturbed to see the sage angry as the enraged sage spoke the following sharp words to Sri Rama: “The mighty Shiv bow has been insulted as it is broken into 2 halves. I rushed here to punish the culprit.”
Goswamiji has said-
रामहि चितइ रहे थकि लोचन | रूप अपार मार मद मोचन ||
rāmahi citai rahe thaki locana | rūpa apāra māra mada mocana ||
He couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful form of Shri Rama. He was so blissful to see the two princes, Rama and Lakshman.
Goswamiji writes-
राम लखनु दसरथ के ढोटा | दीन्हि असीस देखि भलि जोटा ||
rāma lakhanu dasaratha ke ḍhoṭā | dīnhi asīsa dekhi bhali joṭā ||
He heartily beheld the 2 sons of Dasharatha Rama and Lakshman and blessed them. Now again, like Vishwamitra and Janakji, he was clouded by illusion. While looking at Sri Rama, he suddenly remembered the purpose of his visit. Hence Tulsidasji in his logical-satirical manner puts it forth-
देखे चापखंड महि डारे |
dekhe cāpakhaṃḍa mahi ḍāre |
The broken parts of the bow were lying. Tulsidasji has beautifully chosen the words-
Aree! The intelligent man goes from Khanda to Akhanda. From the impermanent to the permanent.
But here Parshuramji while beholding Akhanda Brahman is drawn to the Khandit Shiva Dhanush. From permanent he is stepping down to Khanda. Now who is Akhanda?
ग्यान अखण्ड एक सीताबर | माया बस्य जीव सचराचर ||
gyāna akhaṇḍa eka sītābara | māyā basya jīva sacarācara ||
Tulsidaji very aptly uses the word Sitabar (which means the consort of Srimati Seeta Devi) for Sri Rama since Sitaji had already garlanded Sri Rama with the Jaymala, hence the word Sitabar.
The first thought that struck his mind on looking at the broken Shiva Dhanush was that Lord Shiva was his Guru. By attacking the prized possession of his Guru this person has directly challenged his ego. Just like Sahasrajuna tried to attack him by torturing his father Jamadagni, this second man by harming his guru’s bow is throwing an open challenge at him.
So he approached Shri Rama and openly cleared his stance.
सुनहु राम जेहिं सिवधनु तोरा| सहसबाहु सम सो रिपु मोरा||
sunahu rāma jehiṃ sivadhanu torā| sahasabāhu sama so ripu morā||
Whoever has harmed my Guru’s bow, he is my enemy as Sahasrabahu. Since he took the entire situation as an inimical gesture towards Lord Shiva and his own self, the feeling of revenge clouded his heart.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
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Lakshmana’s Humor That Questioned Parashurama
So Lakshmana entered the scene and to dispel his ignorance, spoke words soaked in humor. He said- Maharaj, this is not the first time a bow has been broken.
बहु धनुहीं तोरीं लरिकाई |
bahu dhanuhīṃ torīṃ larikāī |
Just like a child casually breaks a toy, we as children have broken innumerable bows, and all of a sudden he questioned Parshuramji-
एहि धनु पर ममता केहि हेतू ||
ehi dhanu para mamatā kehi hetū ||
Maharaj, Why are you so attached to this one? The most concerned should be Lord Shiva, who owns this bow. But he didn’t show his anger like this. And why should he? He has already gifted the bow to Janaka Maharaj, and after gifting an object to a second person, he loses all ownership of it.
Though the bow is still known by its former name Shiva Dhanush, it now belongs to Janaka Maharaj. Since Lord Shiva has detached his mind from it, Janaka Maharaja had taken this vow. An owner is most worried about the safety of his possession. Now if the owner Janak Maharaj himself claims that the breaking of the bow is essential to win the Swayamvar. It shows that he too has discarded all attachment for it.
Hence Lakshmana made a taunting remark- “Maharaj, in this entire transaction between Lord Shiva and Janak Maharaj, where has your name come in between? You have nothing to do with the bow.”
रावरी पिनाक में सरीकता कहाँ रही |
ehi dhanu para mamatā kehi hetū ||
But Parshuram Ji felt that detached Shankara may ignore it, but he won’t.
Now, Sri Rama stepped forward and spoke the following words: “Oh sage, I am at fault. I participated in the Swayamvara and instead of stringing the bow, I broke it accidently.” The humble tone of Sri Rama, bewildered the Sage. He could not believe that this tender bodied, young boy, broke the mighty Shiva Dhanush.
In a challenging spirit Parshurama said: “The bow is already broken and I wasn’t present in this court to witness Your might. But, I shall surely be convinced, if You string the mighty Vaishnava (Vishnu) bow that I wield.” The challenge was no ordinary and it put King Dasharatha in a dilemma who was worried for his tender son’s safety.
Sri Rama’s Acceptance of the Mighty Challenge
But, Sri Rama accepted the proposal. He strung the bow and placed an arrow to exhibit his archery skills. Parshurama quieted immediately and realized that the Supreme Lord had incarnated in the form of Sri Rama. The Lord held His own bow, the Vaishnava (Vishnu bow) which was the perfect match for His personality.
Sri Rama inquired: “What shall I do in order to please you. Where shall I shoot this arrow?” The sage with awe-filled eyes said: “Now as you hold Your bow, shoot this arrow that shall destroy my Tapo Balam (meditative powers) so that I can retire to the mountains and restart my Sadhana (spiritual practices) with a new set of realizations.”
With the episode of Tadaka Vadha and breaking of the Shiva Dhanush, Sri Rama uprooted the doubts of Vishwamitra and Janaka respectively. Both Parshurama and Janaka used the bow to test the efficacy of Bhagavan, but the bows were different.
The Shiva Dhanush was used for Janaka while Vishnu Dhanush for Parshurama. For Janak the bow must break while for Parshurama the bow must be lifted. One through the act of breaking while the other through lifting realized the godliness of Shri Rama.
Hence Parshurama said-
राम रमापति कर धनु लेहू| खैंचहु मिटै मोर संदेहु ||
rāma ramāpati kara dhanu lehū| khaiṃcahu miṭai mora saṃdehu ||
Oh Rama, string this Vishnu Dhanush and dispel my doubts. Sri Rama obeyed his instructions-
देखि राम बल निज धनु दीन्हा|
dekhi rāma bala nija dhanu dīnhā|
Parashurama’s Surrender and Spiritual Realization
After this episode, Parshurama retired to Vamana Kshetra (situated in Kerala) to commence his Sadhana. Looking at the sage’s mood change , Dasharatha was relieved from the stress of protecting his sons. After completing the matrimonial rituals for his newly-wedded sons and daughters-in-law, Dasharatha returned back to Ayodhya.
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