Shloka 1.75.14

जामदग्न्य-रामसंवादः — Parashurama Confronts Rama with the Vaishnava Bow

Devanagari script

तदा तु देवतास्सर्वा: पृच्छन्ति स्म पितामहम्।शितिकण्ठस्य विष्णोश्च बलाबलनिरीक्षया।।।।

Transliteration

tadā tu devatāḥ sarvāḥ pṛcchanti sma pitāmaham | śitikaṇṭhasya viṣṇoś ca balābala-nirīkṣayā || 1.75.14 ||

Translation

Then all the gods questioned the Grandsire (Brahmā), seeking to assess the relative strength and weakness of Śitikaṇṭha (Śiva) and of Viṣṇu.

Context

Then all the gods in order to ascertain the strength and weakness of Siva and Visnu enquired of the Grandsire, Brahma:

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmā (Pitāmaha)
• Śiva (Śitikaṇṭha)
• Viṣṇu

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma values disciplined inquiry: even gods seek an impartial authority (Brahmā) to evaluate power, implying that judgment should be grounded in truth-seeking rather than faction.

What is the narrative situation?

Paraśurāma recounts how the gods approached Brahmā to understand the comparative might of Śiva and Viṣṇu.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to discernment (viveka): the divine assembly does not assume but investigates through a recognised adjudicator.