As the earth trembled, mighty trees crashed to the ground, and darkness enveloped the sun so completely that no one could tell which way was which. Ash covered everything, leaving the entire army bewildered and lost. Amidst this confusion, only Vasiṣṭha, the other sages, and the king with his sons seemed conscious; all others were rendered insensible by the terrible gloom and the blanket of ash. In that moment, the king beheld a figure of immense power and presence—a being with a mass of matted hair, fierce and unassailable, like the mountain Kailāsa itself, or the blazing fire of destruction at the end of time. This was Bhārgava, the son of Jamadagni, famed for his destruction of kings. His radiance was so intense that ordinary people could not bear to look upon him. He stood with an axe slung over his shoulder, a bow that flashed like lightning, and a fierce arrow in his grasp, reminiscent of Śiva when he destroyed Tripura. Seeing this mighty being, blazing like fire, the sages led by Vasiṣṭha—devoted to recitation and sacrifice—gathered together and spoke among themselves. They wondered if, angered by his father's killing, Bhārgava would once again destroy the warrior class. Some recalled that he had already slain the warriors in his anger, and that his wrath and fever had since abated; he did not intend to destroy them again. Having spoken thus, the sages took up offerings and addressed Bhārgava, who appeared terrifying, with gentle words: “Rāma, Rāma!” Receiving this honor from the sages, the powerful Rāma, son of Jamadagni, turned to address Rāma, son of Daśaratha. Now begins the seventy-fifth sarga, listen to its tale. Bhārgava spoke: “O Rāma, son of Daśaratha, valiant one, your extraordinary prowess is renowned. I have heard in detail of your breaking the bow—a wonder beyond imagination. Hearing of this deed, I have come here, bearing another auspicious bow. Here is the formidable and mighty bow of Jāmadagnya; string it with an arrow and show your strength. When I have seen your might in stringing even this bow, I shall grant you a duel, for I wish to test your celebrated valor.” Hearing these words, King Daśaratha’s face fell, downcast and dejected. With joined palms, he spoke: “You, calmed from the wrath against the warrior class and a great ascetic among Brāhmaṇas, ought to grant safety to my young sons. Born in the Bhārgava lineage, devoted to study and vows, you pledged before Indra and cast aside your weapons. Having become devoted to righteousness, you gave the earth to Kaśyapa and, retiring to the forest, made your dwelling on Mahendra. O great sage, if you have come for the destruction of us all, know that if Rāma alone is slain, none of us could continue to live.” But Bhārgava, mighty Jāmadagnya, disregarded Daśaratha’s words and addressed only Rāma: “Here are two excellent, divine bows, honored by the worlds—strong, powerful, foremost, skillfully crafted by Viśvakarman. One was given by the gods to Tryambaka for battle, and it is the one you broke, O descendant of Kakutstha, destroyer of Tripura. This second, unconquerable bow was given to Viṣṇu by the best of the gods; this is the Vaiṣṇava bow, O Rāma, conqueror of enemy cities. O Kakutstha, this bow is equal in essence to the Rudra bow. Then all the gods questioned the Grandfather, seeking to discern the relative strength and weakness of Śiva and Viṣṇu. The Grandfather, knowing their intent, caused enmity between these two foremost of the truthful, and a great, hair-raising battle took place. Śiva and Viṣṇu each sought the other’s victory, and the Śiva bow, of terrifying might, was drawn forth. Then Mahādeva, the three-eyed one, was halted by a roar; at that time, the gods, the hosts of sages, and celestial beings assembled. Entreating both for peace, the gods saw the bow of Śiva strained by Viṣṇu’s prowess. The gods and sages judged Viṣṇu to be superior, but Rudra, illustrious among the Videhas, became enraged. He gave to King Devarāta, the royal sage, the bow along with its arrows; and this bow of Viṣṇu, O Rāma, is the conqueror of enemy cities. Viṣṇu entrusted the excellent bow to Ṛcīka Bhārgava, and Ṛcīka, of great splendor, gave it to his son, unmatched in deeds. My father gave the divine bow to Jamadagni, the great-souled one, when he, endowed with ascetic power, laid down his weapons. Arjuna, acting with ordinary intelligence, caused his father’s death; hearing of this cruel and improper killing, I repeatedly destroyed the warrior class in anger. Having gained the entire earth, I gave it as a sacrificial gift to the great-souled Kaśyapa at the end of the sacrifice, O Rāma, as a reward for virtuous deeds. Afterward, I dwelt at Mahendra, endowed with ascetic power; but upon hearing of your breaking the bow, I came here swiftly. Thus, O Rāma, this great bow of Viṣṇu has come down from father and grandfather; honoring the warrior’s duty, take up this excellent bow. Fit the conquering arrow to the best of bows; if you are able, O descendant of Kakutstha, then I will grant you a duel.