The Story of Parashurama

Verse 1 (padma.6.241.1)

ईश्वर उवाच- भृगुपुत्रो महानासीज्जमदग्निर्द्विजोत्तमः । समस्तवेदवेदांगपारगश्च महातपाः ।

īśvara uvāca bhṛguputro mahānāsījjamadagnirdvijottamaḥ samastavedavedāṁgapāragaśca mahātapāḥ

Ishvara said: There was a great son of Bhrigu, Jamadagni, foremost of the twice-born, learned in all the Vedas and Vedangas, of great austerity.

Verse 2 (padma.6.241.2)

तपस्तेपे सुधर्मात्मा महेंद्रं प्रति भामिनि । सहस्रवर्षपर्य्यंतं गंगायाः पुलिने शुभे ।

tapastepe sudharmātmā maheṁdraṁ prati bhāmini sahasravarṣaparyyaṁtaṁ gaṁgāyāḥ puline śubhe

O radiant one, that righteous soul performed austerities directed toward Mahendra, for a thousand years, on the auspicious sandbank of the Ganga.

Verse 3 (padma.6.241.3)

ततः प्रसन्नः प्राहेदं भगवान्पाकशासनः । इंद्र उवाच- वरं वृणीष्व विप्रेंद्र यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते ।

tataḥ prasannaḥ prāhedaṁ bhagavānpākaśāsanaḥ iṁdra uvāca varaṁ vṛṇīṣva vipreṁdra yatte manasi varttate

Then the pleased Lord Pakashasana said this. Indra said: "Choose a boon, O best of Brahmins, whatever is in your mind."

Verse 4 (padma.6.241.4)

ईश्वर उवाच- ततः प्रोवाच विप्रर्षिः परितुष्टं शतक्रतुम् । जमदग्निरुवाच- सुरभिं देहि मे देव सर्वकामदुघां सदा ।

īśvara uvāca tataḥ provāca viprarṣiḥ parituṣṭaṁ śatakratum jamadagniruvāca surabhiṁ dehi me deva sarvakāmadughāṁ sadā

Ishvara said: Then the sage-Brahmin spoke to the pleased Indra. Jamadagni said: "Give me, O God, the cow Surabhi, who ever grants all desires."

Verse 5 (padma.6.241.5)

ईश्वर उवाच- ततः प्रसन्नो देवेशस्तस्मै विप्राय गोत्रभित् । प्रददौ सुरभिं देवीं सर्वकामदुघां तदा ।

īśvara uvāca tataḥ prasanno deveśastasmai viprāya gotrabhit pradadau surabhiṁ devīṁ sarvakāmadughāṁ tadā

Ishvara said: Then the pleased Lord of gods, Indra, gave to that Brahmin the divine cow Surabhi, who grants every desire.

Verse 6 (padma.6.241.6)

स लब्ध्वा सुरभीं देवीं जमदग्निर्महातपाः । उवास महदैश्वर्यः शतक्रतुरिवापरः ।

sa labdhvā surabhīṁ devīṁ jamadagnirmahātapāḥ uvāsa mahadaiśvaryaḥ śatakraturivāparaḥ

Having obtained the divine Surabhi, Jamadagni of great austerity dwelt with great prosperity, like a second Indra.

Verse 7 (padma.6.241.7)

रेणुकस्य सुतां रम्यां रेणुकां नामनामतः । उपयेमे विधानेन जमदग्निर्महातपाः ।

reṇukasya sutāṁ ramyāṁ reṇukāṁ nāmanāmataḥ upayeme vidhānena jamadagnirmahātapāḥ

Jamadagni, of great austerity, duly married the lovely daughter of Renuka, who bore that same name, Renuka.

Verse 8 (padma.6.241.8)

तया सह स धर्मात्मा रेमे वर्षाण्यनेकशः । पौलोम्या शुभया देव्या यथा संक्रन्दनो विभुः ।

tayā saha sa dharmātmā reme varṣāṇyanekaśaḥ paulomyā śubhayā devyā yathā saṁkrandano vibhuḥ

With her, that righteous soul dwelt in delight for many years, as the mighty Indra does with the auspicious goddess Paulomi.

Verse 9 (padma.6.241.9)

ततः स पुत्रकामत्वादिष्टिं चक्रे सुधार्म्मिकः । इष्ट्या संतोषयामास पाकशासनमीश्वरम् ।

tataḥ sa putrakāmatvādiṣṭiṁ cakre sudhārmmikaḥ iṣṭyā saṁtoṣayāmāsa pākaśāsanamīśvaram

Then, desiring a son, that most righteous one performed a sacrifice, and by that sacrifice pleased the Lord Pakashasana.

Verse 10 (padma.6.241.10)

परितुष्टः शचीभर्त्ता तस्मै पुत्रं महाबलम् । महौजसं महाबाहुं सर्वशत्रुप्रतापनम् ।

parituṣṭaḥ śacībharttā tasmai putraṁ mahābalam mahaujasaṁ mahābāhuṁ sarvaśatrupratāpanam

The pleased husband of Shachi promised him a mighty son, of great splendor, mighty-armed, a scourge to all enemies.

Verse 11 (padma.6.241.11)

अथ कालेन विप्रेंद्रो रेणुकायां शुचिस्मिते । पुत्रमुत्पादयामास महावीर्य्यं बलान्वितम् ।

atha kālena vipreṁdro reṇukāyāṁ śucismite putramutpādayāmāsa mahāvīryyaṁ balānvitam

Then, in time, that best of Brahmins begot upon Renuka, O sweetly-smiling one, a son of great valor, endowed with strength,

Verse 12 (padma.6.241.12)

विष्णोरंशांशभागेन सर्वलक्षणलक्षिणम् । तस्मिन्सुते महावीर्य्ये भृगुस्तस्य पितामहः ।

viṣṇoraṁśāṁśabhāgena sarvalakṣaṇalakṣiṇam tasminsute mahāvīryye bhṛgustasya pitāmahaḥ

born of a partial portion of a portion of Vishnu, marked with all auspicious signs. For that son of great valor, his grandfather Bhrigu —

Verse 13 (padma.6.241.13)

नाम चास्मै ददौ हर्षाद्विष्णोरंशोपलक्षितम् । चक्रेऽथ नामधेयं तु राम इत्यस्य शोभनम् ।

nāma cāsmai dadau harṣādviṣṇoraṁśopalakṣitam cakre'tha nāmadheyaṁ tu rāma ityasya śobhanam

gave him, out of joy, a name signifying his portion of Vishnu; he gave him the beautiful name "Rama."

Verse 14 (padma.6.241.14)

जमदग्नेः समुत्पन्नो जामदग्न्य इतीरितः । तद्भार्गवान्वयः सोऽपि ववृधे द्विजपुंगवः ।

jamadagneḥ samutpanno jāmadagnya itīritaḥ tadbhārgavānvayaḥ so'pi vavṛdhe dvijapuṁgavaḥ

Born of Jamadagni, he was called Jamadagnya; of the lineage of Bhrigu, he too, that foremost of the twice-born, grew up.

Verse 15 (padma.6.241.15)

उपनीतं स्तुतो येन सर्वविद्याविशारदः । तपस्तप्तुं जगामाथ शालग्रामाचलं प्रति ।

upanītaṁ stuto yena sarvavidyāviśāradaḥ tapastaptuṁ jagāmātha śālagrāmācalaṁ prati

Invested with the sacred thread, praised by all, skilled in every branch of learning, he then went to perform austerities toward the Shalagrama mountain.

Verse 16 (padma.6.241.16)

ददर्श कश्यपं तत्र ब्रह्मर्षिममितौजसम् । हर्षेण पूरितस्तस्मिन्मरीचितनयो द्विजः ।

dadarśa kaśyapaṁ tatra brahmarṣimamitaujasam harṣeṇa pūritastasminmarīcitanayo dvijaḥ

There he saw the Brahmarshi Kashyapa, of measureless splendor; filled with joy toward him, that son of Marichi —

Verse 17 (padma.6.241.17)

विधिना प्रददौ तस्मै मंत्रं वैष्णवमव्ययम् । लब्धमंत्रस्तदा रामं कश्यपात्तु महात्मनः ।

vidhinā pradadau tasmai maṁtraṁ vaiṣṇavamavyayam labdhamaṁtrastadā rāmaṁ kaśyapāttu mahātmanaḥ

duly gave him the imperishable Vaishnava mantra. Having received the mantra from that great-souled Kashyapa, Rama —

Verse 18 (padma.6.241.18)

पूजयामास विधिना स तदा कमलापतिम् । षडक्षरं महामंत्रं जपन्नेव दिवानिशम् ।

pūjayāmāsa vidhinā sa tadā kamalāpatim ṣaḍakṣaraṁ mahāmaṁtraṁ japanneva divāniśam

duly worshipped the husband of Kamala, reciting that six-syllabled great mantra day and night,

Verse 19 (padma.6.241.19)

ध्यायन्कमलपत्राक्षं विष्णुं सर्वगतं हरिम् । तपस्तेपे स धर्मात्मा बहुवर्षाणि भार्गवः ।

dhyāyankamalapatrākṣaṁ viṣṇuṁ sarvagataṁ harim tapastepe sa dharmātmā bahuvarṣāṇi bhārgavaḥ

meditating on the lotus-eyed, all-pervading Vishnu, Hari, that righteous descendant of Bhrigu performed austerities for many years.

Verse 20 (padma.6.241.20)

जितेंद्रियस्तु यतवाक्तदा तस्थौ महातपाः । जमदग्निस्तु विप्रर्षिः स्थितो गंगातटे शुभे ।

jiteṁdriyastu yatavāktadā tasthau mahātapāḥ jamadagnistu viprarṣiḥ sthito gaṁgātaṭe śubhe

Master of his senses, restrained in speech, that one of great austerity remained thus; and the sage-Brahmin Jamadagni, on the auspicious bank of the Ganga —

Verse 21 (padma.6.241.21)

चकार विधिवद्धर्म्यं यज्ञदानादिकं महत् । धेन्वाः प्रसादादिंद्रस्य संपूर्णास्तस्य सम्पदः ।

cakāra vidhivaddharmyaṁ yajñadānādikaṁ mahat dhenvāḥ prasādādiṁdrasya saṁpūrṇāstasya sampadaḥ

duly performed great, righteous sacrifices and gifts. By the grace of Indra's cow, his prosperity became complete.

Verse 22 (padma.6.241.22)

कस्यचित्त्वथकालस्य हैहयाधिपतिः प्रभुः । विजित्वा सर्वराष्ट्राणि सर्वसैन्यसमावृतः ।

kasyacittvathakālasya haihayādhipatiḥ prabhuḥ vijitvā sarvarāṣṭrāṇi sarvasainyasamāvṛtaḥ

After some time, the mighty lord of the Haihayas, having conquered every kingdom, surrounded by his entire army,

Verse 23 (padma.6.241.23)

भार्गवस्याश्रमं प्राप्य जमदग्नेर्महीपतिः । समीक्ष्य तं महाभागं ववंदे मुनिसत्तमम् ।

bhārgavasyāśramaṁ prāpya jamadagnermahīpatiḥ samīkṣya taṁ mahābhāgaṁ vavaṁde munisattamam

arriving at the hermitage of Jamadagni, the descendant of Bhrigu, that king beheld and paid homage to that illustrious, foremost of sages.

Verse 24 (padma.6.241.24)

पृष्ट्वा तु कुशलं तस्य महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः । प्रददौ नृपतिस्तस्मै वस्त्राण्याभरणानि च ।

pṛṣṭvā tu kuśalaṁ tasya maharṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ pradadau nṛpatistasmai vastrāṇyābharaṇāni ca

Having inquired after the welfare of that great sage, of purified soul, the king gave him garments and ornaments.

Verse 25 (padma.6.241.25)

स च संपूजयामास राजानं गृहमागतम् । मधुपर्केण विधिना पूजयित्वा नृपोत्तमम् ।

sa ca saṁpūjayāmāsa rājānaṁ gṛhamāgatam madhuparkeṇa vidhinā pūjayitvā nṛpottamam

And he duly honored the king who had come to his home, worshipping that best of kings with the madhuparka rite —

Verse 26 (padma.6.241.26)

ससैन्याय नृपेंद्राय भोजनं प्रददौ मुनिः । प्रार्थिता सुरभिस्तेन भार्गवेण सुधीमता ।

sasainyāya nṛpeṁdrāya bhojanaṁ pradadau muniḥ prārthitā surabhistena bhārgaveṇa sudhīmatā

the sage gave a feast to the king together with his entire army; that wise descendant of Bhrigu entreated the cow Surabhi,

Verse 27 (padma.6.241.27)

संपूर्णमन्नपानादि ससर्ज शबला तदा । अक्षय्यमन्नपानादि तया सृष्टं महातपाः ।

saṁpūrṇamannapānādi sasarja śabalā tadā akṣayyamannapānādi tayā sṛṣṭaṁ mahātapāḥ

and that cow, Shabala, produced a complete supply of food and drink. The inexhaustible food and drink thus produced by her —

Verse 28 (padma.6.241.28)

ससैन्याय नृपेंद्राय प्रददौ मुनिसत्तमः । तां दृष्ट्वा शबलां राजा कुतूहलसमन्वितः ।

sasainyāya nṛpeṁdrāya pradadau munisattamaḥ tāṁ dṛṣṭvā śabalāṁ rājā kutūhalasamanvitaḥ

that foremost of sages gave to the king and his entire army. Seeing that Shabala, the king, filled with curiosity —

Verse 29 (padma.6.241.29)

स्पृहां चकारयामास तस्यां गवि सुदुर्म्मतिः । अयाचत्सुरभिं तत्र जमदग्निं नृपोत्तमः ।

spṛhāṁ cakārayāmāsa tasyāṁ gavi sudurmmatiḥ ayācatsurabhiṁ tatra jamadagniṁ nṛpottamaḥ

and that most ill-minded king conceived a desire for that cow. That king asked Jamadagni there for the cow.

Verse 30 (padma.6.241.30)

कार्त्तवीर्य उवाच- शबलां देहि मे विप्र कपिलां सर्वकामदाम् । अन्यधेनुसहस्राणि दास्यामि तव सुव्रत ।

kārttavīrya uvāca śabalāṁ dehi me vipra kapilāṁ sarvakāmadām anyadhenusahasrāṇi dāsyāmi tava suvrata

Kartavirya said: "Give me, O Brahmin, that tawny Shabala, who grants all desires. I shall give you a thousand other cows in exchange, O one of good vows."

Verse 31 (padma.6.241.31)

ईश्वर उवाच- इत्युक्तस्तेन राज्ञाथ जमदग्निर्महातपाः । जमदग्निरुवाच-। न देया शबला राजन्मया तव महीपते ।

īśvara uvāca ityuktastena rājñātha jamadagnirmahātapāḥ jamadagniruvāca na deyā śabalā rājanmayā tava mahīpate

Ishvara said: Thus addressed by that king, Jamadagni of great austerity replied. Jamadagni said: "Shabala cannot be given by me to you, O king, O lord of the earth.

Verse 32 (padma.6.241.32)

इयं च देवदेवेन शक्रेण परिपालिता । देवतानां धनं राजन्दातव्यं स्यात्कथं मया ।

iyaṁ ca devadevena śakreṇa paripālitā devatānāṁ dhanaṁ rājandātavyaṁ syātkathaṁ mayā

This cow is protected by the god of gods, Indra himself. How, O king, could I give away the wealth of the gods?"

Verse 33 (padma.6.241.33)

ईश्वर उवाच- इत्युक्तः स तदा राजा क्रोधेन कलुषीकृतः । बलाज्जग्राह शबलां सर्वसैन्यसमावृतः ।

īśvara uvāca ityuktaḥ sa tadā rājā krodhena kaluṣīkṛtaḥ balājjagrāha śabalāṁ sarvasainyasamāvṛtaḥ

Ishvara said: Thus addressed, that king, his mind darkened with anger, seized Shabala by force, surrounded by his entire army.

Verse 34 (padma.6.241.34)

ततः क्रुद्धा महाभागा शबला वरवर्णिनि । जघान तस्य सैन्यानि शृंगैः खुरतलैरपि ।

tataḥ kruddhā mahābhāgā śabalā varavarṇini jaghāna tasya sainyāni śṛṁgaiḥ khuratalairapi

Then, O fair one, that illustrious Shabala, enraged, struck down his armies with her horns and with the soles of her hooves.

Verse 35 (padma.6.241.35)

घातयित्वा मुहूर्त्तेन तत्सैन्यं शबला बलात् । अंतर्द्धानं गता देवी ययौ शक्रांतिकं क्षणात् ।

ghātayitvā muhūrttena tatsainyaṁ śabalā balāt aṁtarddhānaṁ gatā devī yayau śakrāṁtikaṁ kṣaṇāt

Having struck down that army by force in a moment, the goddess vanished and went instantly to Indra's presence.

Verse 36 (padma.6.241.36)

स्वसैन्यं निहतं दृष्ट्वा सोऽर्जुनः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । मुष्टिना ताडयामास भार्गवं द्विजसत्तमम् ।

svasainyaṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā so'rjunaḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ muṣṭinā tāḍayāmāsa bhārgavaṁ dvijasattamam

Seeing his own army slain, that Arjuna, overwhelmed with rage, struck that foremost of the twice-born, the descendant of Bhrigu, with his fist.

Verse 37 (padma.6.241.37)

ताडितस्तेन बहुशो विकलांगः प्रकल्पितः । पपात सहसा भूमौ ममार द्विजसत्तमः ।

tāḍitastena bahuśo vikalāṁgaḥ prakalpitaḥ papāta sahasā bhūmau mamāra dvijasattamaḥ

Struck by him repeatedly, his limbs disabled, that foremost of the twice-born suddenly fell to the ground and died.

Verse 38 (padma.6.241.38)

हत्वा मुनिवरं तत्र पापत्मा हैहयाधिपः । महासैन्यपरीवारो विवेश नगरं स्वकम् ।

hatvā munivaraṁ tatra pāpatmā haihayādhipaḥ mahāsainyaparīvāro viveśa nagaraṁ svakam

Having slain that best of sages, the evil-souled lord of the Haihayas, surrounded by his great army, entered his own city.

Verse 39 (padma.6.241.39)

रामस्तु देवदेवेशं पूजयामास भार्गवः । तेन संपूजितो देवः प्रसन्नः प्राह केशवः ।

rāmastu devadeveśaṁ pūjayāmāsa bhārgavaḥ tena saṁpūjito devaḥ prasannaḥ prāha keśavaḥ

Rama, the descendant of Bhrigu, meanwhile worshipped the God of gods. Duly worshipped by him, the pleased god Keshava spoke.

Verse 40 (padma.6.241.40)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- प्रीतोस्मि तपसा वत्स भवतो नियतात्मनः । संप्रदास्यामि ते विप्र मच्छक्तिं परमां शुभाम् ।

śrībhagavānuvāca prītosmi tapasā vatsa bhavato niyatātmanaḥ saṁpradāsyāmi te vipra macchaktiṁ paramāṁ śubhām

Shri Bhagavan said: "I am pleased, O child, by your disciplined austerity. I shall grant you, O Brahmin, my own supreme, auspicious power.

Verse 41 (padma.6.241.41)

आवेशितोऽथ मच्छक्त्या जहि दुष्टान्नृपोत्तमान् । भूभारकविनाशाय देवतानां हिताय वै ।

āveśito'tha macchaktyā jahi duṣṭānnṛpottamān bhūbhārakavināśāya devatānāṁ hitāya vai

Entered by my power, slay the wicked kings who are a burden to the earth, for the welfare of the gods."

Verse 42 (padma.6.241.42)

ईश्वर उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा प्रददौ देवः परशुं शत्रुधर्षणम् । वैष्णवं च महच्चापं दिव्यान्यस्त्राण्यनेकशः । दत्वा प्रोवाच भगवाञ्जामदग्निं जनार्द्दनः ।

īśvara uvāca ityuktvā pradadau devaḥ paraśuṁ śatrudharṣaṇam vaiṣṇavaṁ ca mahaccāpaṁ divyānyastrāṇyanekaśaḥ datvā provāca bhagavāñjāmadagniṁ janārddanaḥ

Ishvara said: Having said this, the god gave him the axe that overwhelms enemies, the great Vaishnava bow, and many divine weapons; having given these, the Lord Janardana spoke to the son of Jamadagni.

Verse 43 (padma.6.241.43)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- मदोत्कटान्नृपान्हत्वा बहुशः परवीरहा । गृहाण पृथिवीं सर्वां सागरान्तां द्विजोत्तम ।

śrībhagavānuvāca madotkaṭānnṛpānhatvā bahuśaḥ paravīrahā gṛhāṇa pṛthivīṁ sarvāṁ sāgarāntāṁ dvijottama

Shri Bhagavan said: "Having slain, again and again, the kings grown arrogant with pride, O slayer of enemy heroes, take the whole earth, up to the ocean's edge, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 44 (padma.6.241.44)

पालयस्व च धर्मेण वीर्य्येण महता वृतः । कालेन मत्पदं चापि मत्प्रसादाद्गमिष्यसि ।

pālayasva ca dharmeṇa vīryyeṇa mahatā vṛtaḥ kālena matpadaṁ cāpi matprasādādgamiṣyasi

Rule it righteously, endowed with great valor. And in time, by my grace, you shall attain my own abode."

Verse 45 (padma.6.241.45)

ईश्वर उवाच- इत्युक्त्वांतर्हितो देवो वरं दत्वा द्विजन्मने । रामोऽपि चाथ सहसा प्रययौ पितुराश्रमम् ।

īśvara uvāca ityuktvāṁtarhito devo varaṁ datvā dvijanmane rāmo'pi cātha sahasā prayayau piturāśramam

Ishvara said: Having said this and given the boon to that twice-born one, the god disappeared. Rama too then went at once to his father's hermitage.

Verse 46 (padma.6.241.46)

पितरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भार्गवः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । निष्क्षत्रां कर्तुमन्विच्छन्महीं नृपसमाकुलाम् ।

pitaraṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā bhārgavaḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ niṣkṣatrāṁ kartumanvicchanmahīṁ nṛpasamākulām

Seeing his father slain, that descendant of Bhrigu, overwhelmed with rage, resolved to rid the earth, teeming with kings, of the Kshatriya race.

Verse 47 (padma.6.241.47)

जगाम हैहयपतेर्नगरं नृपसंवृतम् । क्रोधावेशज्वलद्गात्रो द्वार्य्यतिष्ठदुदायुधः ।

jagāma haihayapaternagaraṁ nṛpasaṁvṛtam krodhāveśajvaladgātro dvāryyatiṣṭhadudāyudhaḥ

He went to the city of the lord of the Haihayas, thronged with people, his body blazing with the fire of wrath, and stood at the gate, weapon raised.

Verse 48 (padma.6.241.48)

तं दृष्ट्वा तत्पुरजना जामदग्न्यं महौजसम् । जाज्वल्यमानं वपुषा कालाग्निमिव मेनिरे ।

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tatpurajanā jāmadagnyaṁ mahaujasam jājvalyamānaṁ vapuṣā kālāgnimiva menire

Seeing him, the son of Jamadagni, of great splendor, blazing in body, the townspeople took him for the very fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 49 (padma.6.241.49)

भयार्ता विद्रुताः सर्वे राजानं हैहयाधिपम् । शशंसुस्तं महासत्वं सर्वायुधसमन्वितम् ।

bhayārtā vidrutāḥ sarve rājānaṁ haihayādhipam śaśaṁsustaṁ mahāsatvaṁ sarvāyudhasamanvitam

Fleeing in terror, all of them reported to the king, the lord of the Haihayas, of that being of great might, equipped with every weapon.

Verse 50 (padma.6.241.50)

श्रुत्वा स राजा तद्वाक्यं प्राह विस्मितचेतसा । हैहयाधिप उवाच- कोऽसौ मम पुरद्वारि सायुधः संस्थितो बलात् ।

śrutvā sa rājā tadvākyaṁ prāha vismitacetasā haihayādhipa uvāca ko'sau mama puradvāri sāyudhaḥ saṁsthito balāt

Hearing this, that king, his mind astonished, said. The lord of the Haihayas said: "Who is this who stands armed and forceful at my city gate?

Verse 51 (padma.6.241.51)

महेंद्रो वा यमो वापि रुद्रो वा धनदोऽपि वा । सायुधो मत्पुरद्वारि स्थातुं शक्तो न कर्हिचित् ।

maheṁdro vā yamo vāpi rudro vā dhanado'pi vā sāyudho matpuradvāri sthātuṁ śakto na karhicit

Be it Mahendra, or Yama, or Rudra, or even Kubera — none, armed, could ever stand at my city gate!"

Verse 52 (padma.6.241.52)

महादेव उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा पार्थिवेंद्रो ऽसौ किंकरान्सुमहाबलान् । प्रेरयामास तं द्रष्टुं गृह्णीतेत्याह दुर्मतिः ।

mahādeva uvāca ityuktvā pārthiveṁdro 'sau kiṁkarānsumahābalān prerayāmāsa taṁ draṣṭuṁ gṛhṇītetyāha durmatiḥ

Mahadeva said: Having said this, that ill-minded king sent his most powerful servants to see him, saying, "Seize him!"

Verse 53 (padma.6.241.53)

ते गत्वा ददृशुर्वीरं पुरद्वारि महाबलम् । ज्वलंतमिव कालाग्निं दुर्निरीक्ष्यं स्वतेजसा ।

te gatvā dadṛśurvīraṁ puradvāri mahābalam jvalaṁtamiva kālāgniṁ durnirīkṣyaṁ svatejasā

They went and saw that mighty hero at the city gate, blazing like the fire of dissolution, unbearable to look upon because of his own splendor.

Verse 54 (padma.6.241.54)

तस्य संदर्शनेऽप्यत्र न शक्तास्ते महाबलाः । ग्रहीतुकामस्तं वीरं समंतात्प्रययुर्भृशम् ।

tasya saṁdarśane'pyatra na śaktāste mahābalāḥ grahītukāmastaṁ vīraṁ samaṁtātprayayurbhṛśam

Even merely to look upon him those mighty men were unable; yet, wishing to seize that hero, they advanced upon him fiercely from every side.

Verse 55 (padma.6.241.55)

तान्दृष्ट्वा सायुधान्सर्वान्पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य किंकरान् । प्रहसन्प्राह विप्रेन्द्रो जामदग्निर्महाबलः ।

tāndṛṣṭvā sāyudhānsarvānpārthivendrasya kiṁkarān prahasanprāha viprendro jāmadagnirmahābalaḥ

Seeing all those armed servants of the king, that mighty best of Brahmins, the son of Jamadagni, laughing, said —

Verse 56 (padma.6.241.56)

परशुराम उवाच- भार्गवस्य सुतो रामः संप्राप्तोऽहं नराधमाः । स्वपितुर्निधनात्सर्वान्हनिष्यामि नृपोत्तमान् ।

paraśurāma uvāca bhārgavasya suto rāmaḥ saṁprāpto'haṁ narādhamāḥ svapiturnidhanātsarvānhaniṣyāmi nṛpottamān

Parashurama said: "I am Rama, son of the descendant of Bhrigu, arrived here, O vilest of men! For my father's death I shall slay every one of these kings.

Verse 57 (padma.6.241.57)

कार्तवीर्यस्य रुधिरं मत्पित्रे तिलसंयुतम् । दास्यामि पिण्डदानं च तच्छिरः कमलेन वै ।

kārtavīryasya rudhiraṁ matpitre tilasaṁyutam dāsyāmi piṇḍadānaṁ ca tacchiraḥ kamalena vai

I shall offer Kartavirya's blood, mixed with sesame, as a libation to my father, and his very head as the funeral rice-ball, upon a lotus."

Verse 58 (padma.6.241.58)

महादेव उवाच- इत्युक्तास्ते महावीर्य्याः किंकरास्तस्य भूपतेः । शरैः स्म ताडयामासुः पलालैरिव पावकम् ।

mahādeva uvāca ityuktāste mahāvīryyāḥ kiṁkarāstasya bhūpateḥ śaraiḥ sma tāḍayāmāsuḥ palālairiva pāvakam

Mahadeva said: Thus addressed, those mighty servants of that king struck at him with arrows, as one might strike fire with straw.

Verse 59 (padma.6.241.59)

ततः क्रुद्धो महावीर्यो रामस्सत्यपराक्रमः । वैष्णवं चापमाकृष्य ज्यानिनादमथाकरोत् ।

tataḥ kruddho mahāvīryo rāmassatyaparākramaḥ vaiṣṇavaṁ cāpamākṛṣya jyāninādamathākarot

Then Rama, enraged, of great valor, of true might, drew his Vaishnava bow and made the twang of its bowstring resound.

Verse 60 (padma.6.241.60)

तेन नादेन महता पूरितं भुवनत्रयम् । देवानामपि संत्रासो बभूव महदद्भुतम् ।

tena nādena mahatā pūritaṁ bhuvanatrayam devānāmapi saṁtrāso babhūva mahadadbhutam

By that great sound the three worlds were filled; even the gods were struck with great and wondrous terror.

Verse 61 (padma.6.241.61)

ततः पावकसंकाशैराशुगैः सुमहाबलः । ताडयामास तान्वीरान्किंकरान्वै महाबलान् ।

tataḥ pāvakasaṁkāśairāśugaiḥ sumahābalaḥ tāḍayāmāsa tānvīrānkiṁkarānvai mahābalān

Then that most mighty one struck down, with arrows like blazing fire, those heroic, mighty servants.

Verse 62 (padma.6.241.62)

हत्वा तु किंकरास्तस्य पार्थिवस्य महात्मनः । कालाग्निरिव संतस्थौ सर्वभूतभयंकरः ।

hatvā tu kiṁkarāstasya pārthivasya mahātmanaḥ kālāgniriva saṁtasthau sarvabhūtabhayaṁkaraḥ

Having slain the servants of that great-souled king, he stood there like the fire of dissolution, terrifying to all beings.

Verse 63 (padma.6.241.63)

श्रुत्वा तु किंकरान्स्वस्य हतान्रामेण धीमता । हैहयाधिपतिर्वीरः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः ।

śrutvā tu kiṁkarānsvasya hatānrāmeṇa dhīmatā haihayādhipatirvīraḥ krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ

Hearing that his own servants had been slain by the wise Rama, the heroic lord of the Haihayas, his eyes reddened with rage,

Verse 64 (padma.6.241.64)

निर्य्ययौ सहसैन्येन यत्रास्ते भागवोऽव्ययः । तं दृष्ट्वा घोरसंकाशं ज्वलंतं स्वेन तेजसा ।

niryyayau sahasainyena yatrāste bhāgavo'vyayaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā ghorasaṁkāśaṁ jvalaṁtaṁ svena tejasā

marched forth with his army to where that unfailing descendant of Bhrigu stood. Seeing him, terrible to behold, blazing with his own splendor,

Verse 65 (padma.6.241.65)

त्रस्ताः सर्वे जनास्तत्र शंकमाना जनक्षयम् । ततो युद्धं महाघोरं रामस्य नृपतेस्तदा ।

trastāḥ sarve janāstatra śaṁkamānā janakṣayam tato yuddhaṁ mahāghoraṁ rāmasya nṛpatestadā

all the people there were terrified, fearing the destruction of all mankind. Then a most terrible battle ensued between the king and Rama,

Verse 66 (padma.6.241.66)

शस्त्रास्त्रपातनैर्भीमैर्मेघयोरिव वर्षतोः । ततो रामो महातेजास्तत्सैन्यं नृपतेस्तदा ।

śastrāstrapātanairbhīmairmeghayoriva varṣatoḥ tato rāmo mahātejāstatsainyaṁ nṛpatestadā

with fearsome discharges of weapons and missiles, as if two clouds were raining down. Then Rama, of great splendor, that army of the king —

Verse 67 (padma.6.241.67)

निर्ददाह क्षणात्सर्वं वैष्णवास्त्रेण लीलया । ततः परशुना रामस्तीक्ष्णेनामितविक्रमः ।

nirdadāha kṣaṇātsarvaṁ vaiṣṇavāstreṇa līlayā tataḥ paraśunā rāmastīkṣṇenāmitavikramaḥ

he burned entirely in an instant, with playful ease, by his Vaishnava weapon. Then Rama, of measureless might, with his sharp axe —

Verse 68 (padma.6.241.68)

चिच्छेद बाहुसाहस्रं कार्त्तवीर्यस्य दुर्मतेः । न शशाक महावीर्यो योद्धुं रामेण भूपतिः ।

ciccheda bāhusāhasraṁ kārttavīryasya durmateḥ na śaśāka mahāvīryo yoddhuṁ rāmeṇa bhūpatiḥ

severed the thousand arms of the evil-minded Kartavirya. That king, though of great valor, was unable to fight against Rama.

Verse 69 (padma.6.241.69)

नष्टवीर्य्यो बभूवात्र पापेन स्वेन दुर्म्मतिः । चिच्छेद तच्छिरः क्रुद्धो रेणुकातनयो बली ।

naṣṭavīryyo babhūvātra pāpena svena durmmatiḥ ciccheda tacchiraḥ kruddho reṇukātanayo balī

That evil-minded one's valor was destroyed by his own sin. Enraged, the mighty son of Renuka severed his head,

Verse 70 (padma.6.241.70)

महाद्रिशृड्गंवज्रेण यथा देवपतिर्बली । हत्वा सहस्रबाहुं तं जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान् ।

mahādriśṛḍgaṁvajreṇa yathā devapatirbalī hatvā sahasrabāhuṁ taṁ jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān

as the mighty lord of the gods severs a great mountain peak with his thunderbolt. Having slain that thousand-armed one, the mighty son of Jamadagni —

Verse 71 (padma.6.241.71)

जघान पार्थिवान्सर्वान्क्रुद्धः परशुना मृधे । रामं दृष्ट्वा महारौद्रं पार्थिवाः पृथिवीतले ।

jaghāna pārthivānsarvānkruddhaḥ paraśunā mṛdhe rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvā mahāraudraṁ pārthivāḥ pṛthivītale

in fury slew all the kings on the battlefield with his axe. Seeing that most terrible Rama, the kings of the earth —

Verse 72 (padma.6.241.72)

भयार्त्ता विद्रुताः सर्वे मातंगा इव केसरिम् । विद्रुतानपि भूपालान्पितुर्निधनमन्युना ।

bhayārttā vidrutāḥ sarve mātaṁgā iva kesarim vidrutānapi bhūpālānpiturnidhanamanyunā

all fled in terror, as elephants flee before a lion. Even those fleeing kings, out of grief and fury for his father's death,

Verse 73 (padma.6.241.73)

जघान भार्गवः क्रुद्धो नागानिव खगेश्वरः । निःक्षत्रं कृतवान्सर्वं जामदग्निः प्रतापवान् ।

jaghāna bhārgavaḥ kruddho nāgāniva khageśvaraḥ niḥkṣatraṁ kṛtavānsarvaṁ jāmadagniḥ pratāpavān

that enraged descendant of Bhrigu slew, as the lord of birds slays serpents. The mighty son of Jamadagni cleared the entire earth of the Kshatriya race,

Verse 74 (padma.6.241.74)

ररक्ष भगवानेकमिक्ष्वाकोः सुमहत्कुलम् । मातामहस्यान्वयत्वाद्रेणुकावचनादथ ।

rarakṣa bhagavānekamikṣvākoḥ sumahatkulam mātāmahasyānvayatvādreṇukāvacanādatha

yet the Lord spared one — the great lineage of Ikshvaku — because, at Renuka's word, it was descended from his maternal grandfather's line.

Verse 75 (padma.6.241.75)

तान्भ्रष्टराज्यान्कृत्वा वै मातामहकुलोद्भवान् । न हत्वा मनुवंशांस्तान्रामो नृपकुलांतकः ।

tānbhraṣṭarājyānkṛtvā vai mātāmahakulodbhavān na hatvā manuvaṁśāṁstānrāmo nṛpakulāṁtakaḥ

Rama, that destroyer of royal lines, deprived those born of his maternal grandfather's line, the descendants of Manu, of their kingdom, but did not slay them.

Verse 76 (padma.6.241.76)

सर्वं तु भूभृतां वंशं नाशयामास वीर्य्यवान् । कृत्वा चोर्वीं तु निःक्षत्रां जमदग्निसुतो बली ।

sarvaṁ tu bhūbhṛtāṁ vaṁśaṁ nāśayāmāsa vīryyavān kṛtvā corvīṁ tu niḥkṣatrāṁ jamadagnisuto balī

But that valorous one destroyed every other line of kings. Having made the earth free of Kshatriyas, the mighty son of Jamadagni —

Verse 77 (padma.6.241.77)

अश्वमेधं महायज्ञं चकार विधिवद्द्विजः । प्रददौ विप्रमुख्येभ्यः सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् ।

aśvamedhaṁ mahāyajñaṁ cakāra vidhivaddvijaḥ pradadau vipramukhyebhyaḥ saptadvīpavatīṁ mahīm

duly performed the great Ashvamedha sacrifice. He gave the earth with its seven continents to the foremost Brahmins.

Verse 78 (padma.6.241.78)

दत्वा महीं स विप्रेभ्यो जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान् । तपस्तप्तुं ययौ सोऽथ नरनारायणाश्रमम् ।

datvā mahīṁ sa viprebhyo jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān tapastaptuṁ yayau so'tha naranārāyaṇāśramam

Having given the earth to the Brahmins, that mighty son of Jamadagni then went to perform austerities at the hermitage of Nara-Narayana.

Verse 79 (padma.6.241.79)

एतत्ते कथितं देवि जामदग्नेर्महात्मनः । शक्त्यावेशावतारस्य चरितं शार्ङ्गिणः प्रभोः ।

etatte kathitaṁ devi jāmadagnermahātmanaḥ śaktyāveśāvatārasya caritaṁ śārṅgiṇaḥ prabhoḥ

O Goddess, this has been told to you — the story of that great-souled son of Jamadagni, the Shaktyavesha incarnation of the Lord who bears the Sharnga bow.

Verse 80 (padma.6.241.80)

नोपास्यं हि भवेत्तस्य शक्त्यावेशान्महात्मनः । उपास्यौ भगवद्भक्तैर्विप्रमुख्यैर्महात्मभिः ।

nopāsyaṁ hi bhavettasya śaktyāveśānmahātmanaḥ upāsyau bhagavadbhaktairvipramukhyairmahātmabhiḥ

That great soul's Shaktyavesha form is not worshipped in the manner reserved for the fullest incarnations. Worthy of worship by devotees of the Lord and by the foremost, great-souled Brahmins are —

Verse 81 (padma.6.241.81)

रामकृष्णावतारौ तु परिपूर्णौ हि सद्गुणैः । उपास्यमानावृषिभिरपवर्गप्रदौ नृणाम् ।

rāmakṛṣṇāvatārau tu paripūrṇau hi sadguṇaiḥ upāsyamānāvṛṣibhirapavargapradau nṛṇām

the incarnations of Rama and Krishna, who are perfectly complete with every excellent quality; worshipped by the sages, they alone grant liberation to men.