As the wedding festivities drew to a close, the noble princes of the Raghu lineage, accompanied by their newly-wed wives, made their way to their resting place. King Daśaratha, surrounded by an assembly of venerable sages and beloved kinsmen, followed after them, watching the young couples with affection and joy. When the night had passed, the great sage Viśvāmitra, having fulfilled his purpose, took leave of King Daśaratha and King Janaka, and set out for the northern mountains. With the sage’s departure, Daśaratha, after bidding farewell to the king of Videha, prepared to return swiftly to his own city of Ayodhyā. Before the royal party departed, King Janaka, lord of Mithilā, bestowed upon them abundant bridal gifts. He gave away hundreds of thousands of cows, fine woolen blankets, silks, and millions of garments. Elephants, horses, and chariots, all adorned and resplendent, as well as foot soldiers of divine appearance, were offered in generosity. He presented a hundred maidens, each accompanied by excellent male and female attendants, along with gold, refined gold, pearls, and coral—gifts beyond compare. Overjoyed, the king of Mithilā presented these incomparable treasures and, after taking leave, returned to his own city. King Daśaratha, ruler of Ayodhyā, set out with his noble sons. Placing the sages at the forefront, he proceeded with his army, accompanied by the assembly of sages and the radiant Rāma. As this tiger among men journeyed onward, ominous signs began to appear: terrifying birds cried out all around, and the animals of the earth began to move in restless circles. Disturbed by these portents, King Daśaratha turned to Vasiṣṭha and asked, “These birds are grim, and the animals are circling. What is this that makes my heart tremble and my mind sink?” Hearing the king’s anxious words, the great sage Vasiṣṭha replied with gentle assurance, “Let the result of these omens be heard. A dreadful danger has arisen, divine in nature, as foretold by the cries of these birds. Yet these circling animals bring calm—let your distress be set aside.” As they spoke, a fierce wind suddenly arose, shaking the earth and toppling great trees. Darkness blotted out the sun, and the directions became indiscernible. Ash fell everywhere, bewildering the entire army, while Vasiṣṭha, the other sages, the king, and his sons alone remained aware amid the confusion. In that terrible gloom, King Daśaratha beheld a mighty figure, bearing a mass of matted hair—a being of overwhelming presence. It was Bhārgava, the son of Jamadagni, feared destroyer of kings. He stood unassailable as Mount Kailāsa, blazing with a radiance unbearable for ordinary eyes, his axe slung over his shoulder, a bow like a cluster of lightning in hand, and a fierce arrow ready—resembling Śiva himself at the destruction of Tripura. The assembled sages, led by Vasiṣṭha, saw him and whispered among themselves, “Is he, angered once more by his father’s death, come again to destroy the warrior class?” But they reassured one another, recalling that Bhārgava’s anger had already been spent, and he no longer sought the destruction of kings. With offerings in hand, the sages approached Bhārgava, who stood in terrifying splendor, and addressed him with sweet words, saying, “Rāma, Rāma!” Accepting their reverence, the powerful Rāma, son of Jamadagni, turned his gaze upon Rāma, son of Daśaratha. He spoke: “O Rāma, son of Daśaratha, your extraordinary prowess is famed throughout the world. I have heard in detail of your wondrous feat—breaking the great bow. Having heard of this inconceivable deed, I have come here, bearing another auspicious bow. Here is the formidable and mighty bow of Jāmadagnya; string it with an arrow and demonstrate your strength. When I have witnessed your power in stringing even this bow, I shall grant you a duel, for I wish to test your celebrated valor.” Upon hearing these words, King Daśaratha grew pale with fear and sorrow. With joined palms, he pleaded, “You, who have renounced wrath against the warrior class and are now a great ascetic among Brāhmaṇas, ought to grant safety to my young sons. Born of the Bhārgava lineage, devoted to study and vows, you promised before Indra and set aside your weapons. You gave the earth to Kaśyapa, retired to the forest, and now dwell on Mahendra. O great sage, have you come for our destruction? If Rāma alone were slain, none of us could bear to live.” But the mighty Jāmadagnya, paying no heed to Daśaratha’s words, addressed only Rāma. “Here are two excellent, divine bows, honored by the worlds—powerful, foremost, and skillfully crafted by Viśvakarman. One was given by the gods to Tryambaka for battle—the very one you broke, O descendant of Kakutstha, destroyer of Tripura. The second, unconquerable bow was given to Viṣṇu by the best of the gods. This is the Vaiṣṇava bow, O Rāma, conqueror of enemy cities. Take it, string it, and show your strength.