So saying, he took the bow and arrow from Parasuraama. He strung the bow and
setting the arrow to it, drew the string. Addressing Parasuraama, he said with a smile:
"This mighty Vaishnava arrow placed on the string cannot be put back idly. It must
destroy something. Tell me, shall it destroy your powers of locomotion, or would you
rather that it consumes the fruits of your tapas?"
As the son of Dasaratha strung the bow of
Vishnu, the glory on Parasuraama's face faded, and he stood, no longer the warlike
conqueror, but a self-subdued rishi, for the purpose of the Parasuraama avataar was over. |
