Bala Kanda · Sarga 76 of 77 · 24 verses
The Two Ramas
Rama, holding back his words out of respect for his father, answers: “I have heard what you have done, Bhargava, and we honour it, as I seek to repay my debt to my father. But you scorn my power as though I were weak and incapable in the dharma of a kshatriya. See my strength today.” Angry, he takes the bow and arrow from Parashurama’s hand, strings the bow and fits the arrow. “As a brahmana you are to be honoured by me, and for Vishvamitra’s sake too, so I cannot release this life-taking arrow at you. But I will destroy either your power to move, or the matchless worlds you have earned by austerity; this divine arrow of Vishnu does not fall in vain.”
The gods, led by Brahma, with gandharvas, apsarases, siddhas, yakshas and nagas, gather to watch. Parashurama, drained of power and stunned, says slowly: “When I gave the earth to Kashyapa, he told me not to live in his realm, so I never spend a night on earth. Do not destroy my movement; I will go swift as thought to Mahendra. Destroy instead the worlds I have won by austerity. By touching this bow I know you are the imperishable slayer of Madhu, lord of the gods. It is no shame to be turned back by the lord of the three worlds. Release the arrow.” Rama shoots, and the worlds Parashurama earned are destroyed. Parashurama walks around Rama in reverence and goes to Mahendra. The darkness lifts, and the gods and sages praise Rama.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
श्रुत्वा तु जामदग्न्यस्य वाक्यं दाशरथिस्तदा । गौरवाद्यन्त्रितकथः पितू राममथाब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥
Hearing the words of Jamadagni’s son, the son of Dasharatha, his speech held back out of respect for his father, then spoke to Rama:
जमदग्नि के पुत्र के वचन सुनकर दशरथ-पुत्र ने, जिन्होंने पिता के सम्मान के कारण अपनी वाणी रोक रखी थी, तब राम (परशुराम) से कहा:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Rama has been silent “out of respect for his father”. While Dasharatha spoke, the son did not interrupt. Only now does he answer.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
कृतवानसि यत् कर्म श्रुतवानस्मि भार्गव । अनुरुध्यामहे ब्रह्मन् पितुरानृण्यमास्थितः ॥ २ ॥
“I have heard of the deed you did, Bhargava. We respect it, brahmana, as I strive to discharge my debt to my father.
“भार्गव, आपने जो कर्म किया, वह मैंने सुना है। ब्राह्मण, हम उसका सम्मान करते हैं, क्योंकि मैं भी पिता के ऋण से मुक्त होने का प्रयत्न करता हूँ।
CommentaryNot scripture “I respect your deed, Bhargava, for I too strive to repay my debt to my father.” Rama honours Parashurama’s grief for his father. The two Ramas share one thing: devotion to a father.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
वीर्यहीनमिवाशक्तं क्षत्रधर्मेण भार्गव । अवजानासि मे तेजः पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम् ॥ ३ ॥
“Yet you scorn my energy, Bhargava, as if I lacked valour and were incapable in the dharma of the kshatriya. See my prowess today.”
“फिर भी भार्गव, आप मेरे तेज का तिरस्कार करते हैं, मानो मैं पराक्रमहीन और क्षत्रिय धर्म में असमर्थ हूँ। आज मेरा पराक्रम देखिए।”
CommentaryNot scripture “But you scorn my energy, as if I lacked valour. See my prowess today.” Rama will not accept contempt. The gentle prince knows when to stand firm.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
इत्युक्त्वा राघवः क्रुद्धो भार्गवस्य वरायुधम् । शरं च प्रतिजग्राह हस्ताल्लघुपराक्रमः ॥ ४ ॥
Having said this, Raghava, angry, swift in action, took from Bhargava’s hand the excellent weapon and the arrow.
यह कहकर क्रुद्ध, फुर्तीले राघव ने भार्गव के हाथ से वह उत्तम अस्त्र और बाण ले लिया।
CommentaryNot scripture He takes the bow and arrow from Parashurama’s hand, “swift in action”.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
आरोप्य स धनू रामः शरं सज्यं चकार ह । जामदग्न्यं ततो रामं रामः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ ५ ॥
Stringing the bow, Rama fitted the arrow to the string, and then Rama, angry, said this to Rama Jamadagnya:
धनुष पर डोरी चढ़ाकर राम ने डोरी पर बाण रखा, और फिर क्रुद्ध राम ने जामदग्न्य राम से यह कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture He strings the bow of Vishnu and sets the arrow. Vishnu’s bow in the hands of Vishnu’s incarnation.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
ब्राह्मणोऽसीति पूज्यो मे विश्वामित्रकृतेन च । तस्माच्छक्तो न ते राम मोक्तुं प्राणहरं शरम् ॥ ६ ॥
“Because you are a brahmana you are to be honoured by me, and also for Vishvamitra’s sake. Therefore, Rama, I cannot release at you this life-taking arrow.
“आप ब्राह्मण हैं इसलिए मेरे द्वारा सम्मान के योग्य हैं, और विश्वामित्र के कारण भी। इसलिए, राम, मैं यह प्राण लेने वाला बाण आप पर नहीं छोड़ सकता।
CommentaryNot scripture “You are a brahmana, and Vishvamitra’s kinsman, so I cannot kill you.” Even in anger, Rama keeps his restraint and his respect. (Parashurama is Vishvamitra’s grand-nephew, through Richika and Satyavati.)
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
इमां वा त्वद्गतिं राम तपोबलसमर्जितान् । लोकानप्रतिमान् वापि हनिष्यामीति मे मतिः ॥ ७ ॥
“But either this power of movement of yours, Rama, or the matchless worlds you have earned by the power of austerity, I will destroy: that is my resolve.
“पर राम, या तो आपकी यह गति (चलने की शक्ति), या तप के बल से कमाए हुए आपके अनुपम लोक, मैं नष्ट करूँगा: यह मेरा निश्चय है।
CommentaryNot scripture “But I will destroy either your power of movement or the worlds you have won by austerity.” He offers a choice. Mercy is still in his anger.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
न ह्ययं वैष्णवो दिव्यः शरः परपुरंजयः । मोघः पतति वीर्येण बलदर्पविनाशनः ॥ ८ ॥
“For this divine arrow of Vishnu, conqueror of enemy cities, destroyer of the pride of strength, does not fall in vain by its own power.”
“क्योंकि शत्रु नगरों को जीतने वाला, बल के घमंड का नाश करने वाला विष्णु का यह दिव्य बाण अपनी शक्ति से व्यर्थ नहीं गिरता।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Vishnu’s arrow does not fall in vain.” Once drawn, the divine arrow must strike something.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
वरायुधधरं रामं द्रष्टुं सर्षिगणाः सुराः । पितामहं पुरस्कृत्य समेतास्तत्र सर्वशः ॥ ९ ॥
To see Rama holding the excellent weapon, the gods with the hosts of sages, with the Grandsire before them, all gathered there,
राम को वह उत्तम अस्त्र धारण किए देखने के लिए पितामह को आगे करके ऋषियों के समूहों सहित सब देवता वहाँ इकट्ठे हुए,
CommentaryNot scripture The gods gather with Brahma to watch. Heaven turns out for this moment as for every great event in Rama’s life.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव सिद्धचारणकिन्नराः । यक्षराक्षसनागाश्च तद् द्रष्टुं महदद्भुतम् ॥ १० ॥
and gandharvas and apsarases, siddhas, charanas and kinnaras, yakshas, rakshasas and nagas, to see that great wonder.
और गंधर्व और अप्सराएँ, सिद्ध, चारण और किन्नर, यक्ष, राक्षस और नाग, उस महान आश्चर्य को देखने के लिए।
CommentaryNot scripture Gandharvas, apsarases, siddhas, yakshas, even rakshasas and nagas.
Scene 1 of 2 · Rama takes Vishnu’s bow from Parashurama, strings it, and sets a divine arrow, while the gods gather in the sky.
जडीकृते तदा लोके रामे वरधनुर्धरे । निर्वीर्यो जामदग्न्योऽसौ रामो राममुदैक्षत ॥ ११ ॥
When the world had been stunned, as Rama held the excellent bow, Rama Jamadagnya, drained of power, gazed at Rama.
जब राम के उत्तम धनुष धारण करने से संसार स्तब्ध हो गया, तब शक्ति से रहित जामदग्न्य राम ने राम की ओर देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture The world is stunned. Parashurama, “drained of power”, gazes at Rama. The warrior who humbled kings is humbled.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
तेजोभिर्गतवीर्यत्वाज्जामदग्न्यो जडीकृतः । रामं कमलपत्राक्षं मन्दं मन्दमुवाच ह ॥ १२ ॥
His power gone through that energy, Jamadagnya, stunned, spoke slowly to lotus-eyed Rama:
उस तेज से अपनी शक्ति खोकर, स्तब्ध जामदग्न्य ने कमल-नयन राम से धीरे से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture He speaks “slowly”, stunned.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
काश्यपाय मया दत्ता यदा पूर्वं वसुंधरा । विषये मे न वस्तव्यमिति मां काश्यपोऽब्रवीत् ॥ १३ ॥
“When I once gave the earth to Kashyapa, Kashyapa told me: ‘You must not live in my realm.’
“जब मैंने एक बार कश्यप को पृथ्वी दी थी, तब कश्यप ने मुझसे कहा था: ‘तुम्हें मेरे राज्य में नहीं रहना चाहिए।’
CommentaryNot scripture “When I gave the earth to Kashyapa, he told me not to live on it.” The giver of the earth may not stay on it.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
सोऽहं गुरुवचः कुर्वन् पृथिव्यां न वसे निशाम् । तदाप्रभृति काकुत्स्थ कृता मे काश्यपस्य ह ॥ १४ ॥
“So, doing my teacher’s bidding, I do not spend a night on the earth. From that time, Kakutstha, I have made this promise to Kashyapa.
“इसलिए गुरु की आज्ञा मानते हुए मैं पृथ्वी पर रात नहीं बिताता। काकुत्स्थ, उसी समय से मैंने कश्यप को यह वचन दिया है।
CommentaryNot scripture “So I never spend a night on the earth.” His vow to his teacher.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
तामिमां मद्गतिं वीर हन्तुं नार्हसि राघव । मनोजवं गमिष्यामि महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥
“So you should not destroy this movement of mine, hero Raghava. Swift as thought I will go to Mahendra, the best of mountains.
“इसलिए वीर राघव, आपको मेरी यह गति नष्ट नहीं करनी चाहिए। मन की गति से मैं पर्वतश्रेष्ठ महेंद्र को चला जाऊँगा।
CommentaryNot scripture “Do not take my movement: I will go to Mahendra swift as thought.” He chooses to keep his ability to move, so he can keep his vow.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
लोकास्त्वप्रतिमा राम निर्जितास्तपसा मया । जहि ताञ्छरमुख्येन मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः ॥ १६ ॥
“But the matchless worlds I have won by austerity, Rama, destroy them with your foremost arrow; let no time be lost.
“पर राम, तप से जीते मेरे अनुपम लोकों को अपने श्रेष्ठ बाण से नष्ट कर दीजिए; देर न हो।
CommentaryNot scripture “Destroy my worlds won by austerity instead.” He gives up his heaven. A great renunciation, offered calmly.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
अक्षय्यं मधुहन्तारं जानामि त्वां सुरेश्वरम् । धनुषोऽस्य परामर्शात् स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु परंतप ॥ १७ ॥
“By the touch of this bow I know you to be the imperishable slayer of Madhu, lord of the gods. May all go well with you, scorcher of enemies.
“इस धनुष के स्पर्श से मैं आपको अविनाशी मधुसूदन, देवताओं का स्वामी जानता हूँ। शत्रुओं को तपाने वाले, आपका सब मंगल हो।
CommentaryNot scripture “By the touch of this bow I know you are Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu.” Parashurama recognises Rama’s divinity. The earlier avatara salutes the later one.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
एते सुरगणाः सर्वे निरीक्षन्ते समागताः । त्वामप्रतिमकर्माणमप्रतिद्वन्द्वमाहवे ॥ १८ ॥
“All these hosts of gods, gathered here, are looking at you, whose deeds are matchless and who have no rival in battle.
“यहाँ इकट्ठे हुए देवताओं के ये सब समूह आपको देख रहे हैं, जिनके कर्म अनुपम हैं और जिनका युद्ध में कोई प्रतिद्वंद्वी नहीं।
CommentaryNot scripture “All the gods are watching you, who have no rival.”
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
न चेयं मम काकुत्स्थ व्रीडा भवितुमर्हति । त्वया त्रैलोक्यनाथेन यदहं विमुखीकृतः ॥ १९ ॥
“And this cannot be a shame for me, Kakutstha, that I have been turned back by you, the lord of the three worlds.
“और काकुत्स्थ, यह मेरे लिए लज्जा की बात नहीं हो सकती कि तीनों लोकों के स्वामी आपने मुझे लौटा दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture “It is no shame to be turned back by the lord of the three worlds.” Parashurama’s humility is as great as his former pride. Defeat by the divine is not disgrace.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
शरमप्रतिमं राम मोक्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत । शरमोक्षे गमिष्यामि महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् ॥ २० ॥
“You should release the matchless arrow, Rama of good vows. When the arrow is released, I will go to Mahendra, the best of mountains.”
“उत्तम व्रत वाले राम, आपको अनुपम बाण छोड़ना चाहिए। बाण छूटने पर मैं पर्वतश्रेष्ठ महेंद्र चला जाऊँगा।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Release the arrow.”
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
तथा ब्रुवति रामे तु जामदग्न्ये प्रतापवान् । रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमांश्चिक्षेप शरमुत्तमम् ॥ २१ ॥
As Rama Jamadagnya spoke so, the valiant, glorious Rama, son of Dasharatha, released the excellent arrow.
जामदग्न्य राम के ऐसा कहने पर पराक्रमी, यशस्वी दशरथ-पुत्र राम ने उत्तम बाण छोड़ दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture Rama releases it.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
स हतान् दृश्य रामेण स्वाँल्लोकांस्तपसार्जितान् । जामदग्न्यो जगामाशु महेन्द्रं पर्वतोत्तमम् ॥ २२ ॥
Seeing the worlds he had won by austerity destroyed by Rama, Jamadagnya went quickly to Mahendra, the best of mountains.
तप से जीते अपने लोकों को राम द्वारा नष्ट हुआ देखकर जामदग्न्य जल्दी से पर्वतश्रेष्ठ महेंद्र चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Parashurama’s worlds are destroyed, and he goes to Mahendra. The dispute of the two Ramas, foretold in sarga 3, is over.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
ततो वितिमिराः सर्वा दिशश्चोपदिशस्तथा । सुराः सर्षिगणा रामं प्रशशंसुरुदायुधम् ॥ २३ ॥
Then all the directions and intermediate directions were free of darkness, and the gods with the hosts of sages praised Rama with his raised weapon.
तब सब दिशाएँ और उपदिशाएँ अंधकार से मुक्त हो गईं, और ऋषियों के समूहों सहित देवताओं ने अस्त्र उठाए हुए राम की स्तुति की।
CommentaryNot scripture The darkness lifts from every direction. The gods praise Rama. The storm of ash that announced Parashurama vanishes with him.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
रामं दाशरथिं रामो जामदग्न्यः प्रपूजितः । ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य जगामात्मगतिं प्रभुः ॥ २४ ॥
Rama Jamadagnya, having honoured Rama, son of Dasharatha, walked around him in reverence, and the lord went his own way.
जामदग्न्य राम ने दशरथ-पुत्र राम का सम्मान करके उनकी परिक्रमा की, और वे प्रभु अपने मार्ग चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Parashurama honours Rama and walks around him in reverence. The fierce sage leaves as a devotee. Rama’s first meeting with another form of Vishnu ends in mutual honour.
Scene 2 of 2 · Recognising Vishnu in Rama, Parashurama bows; the arrow takes his heaven, and the darkness lifts.
