Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 75, Shloka 13
जामदग्न्य
रामसंवादः — Parashurama Confronts Rama with the Vaishnava Bow
इदं द्वितीयं दुर्धर्षं विष्णोर्दत्तं सुरोत्तमै:।तदिदं वैष्णवं राम धनु: परमभास्वरम्।समानसारं काकुत्स्थ रौद्रेण धनुषा त्विदम्।।।।
idaṃ dvitīyaṃ durdharṣaṃ viṣṇor dattaṃ surottamaiḥ | tad idaṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ rāma dhanuḥ paramabhāsvaram | samānasāraṃ kākutstha raudreṇa dhanuṣā tv idam || 1.75.13 ||
Ce second arc est irrésistible, donné à Viṣṇu par les plus éminents des dieux. Ô Rāma ! Cet arc vaiṣṇava, éclatant de splendeur, est égal en puissance à l’arc de Rudra, ô Kākutstha.
This second bow which is unassailable was given by chief of the celestials to Visnu. O Rama! born in the race of Kakutstha! this highly radiant bow of Visnu is as strong as the bow of Siva.
FAQs
Dharma warns that power must be contextualised: even supreme strength is to be measured, compared, and ultimately governed by rightful intent rather than pride.
Paraśurāma reveals a second, Viṣṇu-associated bow and asserts its parity with Śiva’s bow, setting up a direct test involving Rāma.
Paraśurāma’s authoritative knowledge of divine lore, used to frame a challenge as a matter of cosmic legitimacy.