Shloka 1.75.21

जामदग्न्य-रामसंवादः — Parashurama Confronts Rama with the Vaishnava Bow

Devanagari script

इदं च वैष्णवं राम धनु: परपुरञ्जयम्।ऋचीके भार्गवे प्रादाद्विष्णु: स न्यासमुत्तमम्।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ ca vaiṣṇavaṃ rāma dhanuḥ para-puraṃjayam |

ṛcīke bhārgave prādād viṣṇuḥ sa nyāsam uttamam ||

Translation

And this Vaiṣṇava bow, O Rāma—able to conquer hostile strongholds—Viṣṇu entrusted as a supreme deposit to Ṛcīka of the Bhṛgu line.

Context

This bow of Visnu, O Rama! capable of conquering hostile cities, was given in trust to Richika belonging to the race of Bhrigu.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Vaiṣṇava bow
• Ṛcīka
• Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage

FAQs

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

Power is a ‘trust’ (nyāsa): sacred capability is transmitted to the worthy and must be borne with responsibility and truthfulness.

What is the narrative situation?

Paraśurāma identifies the second bow as Vaiṣṇava and traces its custodial lineage beginning with Viṣṇu’s entrustment to Ṛcīka.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reliability and worthiness: Ṛcīka is presented as fit to receive and safeguard a supreme deposit.