Parasurama's Dramatic Arrival
Balakanda - Sarga 74
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Balakanda - Sarga 74
Viswamitra departs as Janaka gifts his daughters. Dasaratha encounters ominous signs on his journey. Parasurama's dramatic arrival sets the stage for a legendary confrontation with Rama.
As night passed, the great sage Viswamitra blessed the princes of Raghu's lineage. He then took leave of the two kings and set out towards the northern mountains (Himalayas).
Subsequently, King Dasaratha, a source of joy for his people, bid farewell to Janaka, the ruler of Mithila. He then swiftly began his journey back to Ayodhya.
King Janaka, lord of the Videhas, accompanied Dasaratha for some distance. As a loving father, he presented numerous gifts to his daughters, including:
Hundreds of thousands of cows
Fine woolen carpets
Millions of silk garments
A well-equipped army (elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry)
Beautifully adorned male and female servants
Overjoyed, Janaka also gave his daughters exquisite ornaments made of:
Gold
Fine-quality precious metals
Pearls
Corals
After bestowing this wealth and receiving King Dasaratha's consent to return, Janaka re-entered his residence in Mithila, his fatherly duties fulfilled.
King Dasaratha of Ayodhya set out with his illustrious sons, preceded by the sages and followed by his army. As they traveled, Dasaratha noticed disturbing omens:
Frightening birds made disagreeable sounds.
Wild animals moved to their right (typically a favorable sign).
Troubled by these conflicting signs, Dasaratha, the tiger among men, asked Vasishta:
"The birds' cries are inauspicious, yet the deer moving to our right is favorable. Why is this? My heart trembles, and my mind feels heavy."
The great sage Vasishta replied gently:
"Listen to what these signs foretell. A dreadful danger of divine nature approaches, as indicated by the birds. However, the beasts' movements suggest peace will be restored. Therefore, do not grieve."
As they conversed, a sudden storm arose, shaking the earth and felling beautiful trees. Darkness enveloped the sun, obscuring all directions. The entire army was covered in ash, as if unconscious.
In this fearful darkness, King Dasaratha beheld a terrifying figure - Parasurama, descendant of Bhrigu and son of Jamadagni, known for his previous decimation of the warrior class. His appearance was formidable:
He wore a crown of matted hair
He appeared as inaccessible as Mount Kailasa
His energy blazed like the fire at the world's end
He carried an axe on his shoulder
He held a bow that flashed like lightning
He grasped a mighty arrow, resembling Lord Shiva ready to destroy Tripura
Seeing Parasurama's dreadful appearance, Vasishta and other sages whispered among themselves:
"Is he, enraged by his father's death, planning to exterminate the warrior class again? Having slaughtered them before, his anger was quelled. Surely he doesn't intend to annihilate them once more?"
The sages then offered arghya (a respectful offering of water) to Parasurama and addressed him soothingly: "O Rama, O Rama."
After accepting their homage, the valiant Parasurama turned to address Rama, son of Dasaratha, setting the stage for a momentous encounter between two incarnations of Vishnu.
Thus ends the Seventy Fourth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.