Receiving the honor bestowed by the assembled sages, the powerful Rāma, son of Jamadagni—also known as Paraśurāma—turned to Rāma, the son of King Daśaratha. As the seventy-fifth sarga begins, Paraśurāma addressed Daśaratha’s son with respect, acknowledging his extraordinary valor and the fame that had spread regarding his remarkable feat: the breaking of the mighty bow. Paraśurāma explained that this wondrous and inconceivable act had drawn him here, bearing another auspicious bow. He presented the formidable and mighty bow of Jāmadagnya, challenging Rāma to string it with an arrow and demonstrate his strength. Paraśurāma declared that, should Rāma succeed in this task, he would grant him a duel, wishing to test the celebrated valor of Daśaratha’s son. Hearing these words, King Daśaratha grew anxious. With his face downcast and his palms joined in supplication, he pleaded with Paraśurāma, reminding him of his ascetic nature and the vow he had taken to renounce violence against the warrior class. Daśaratha recalled that Paraśurāma, born in the Bhārgava lineage and devoted to study and vows, had pledged before Indra to lay aside his weapons. He had given the earth to Kaśyapa and retired to the forest, making his dwelling on Mahendra. The king implored the great sage to grant safety to his young sons, fearing that if Rāma were slain, none of the royal family could bear to live. Yet Paraśurāma, disregarding Daśaratha’s pleas, addressed himself solely to Rāma. He revealed that there were two excellent, divine bows, honored by the worlds and skillfully crafted by Viśvakarman. One bow had been given by the gods to Tryambaka (Śiva) for battle, and it was this bow that Rāma had broken—the same bow used by the destroyer of Tripura. The second, unconquerable bow had been given to Viṣṇu by the best of the gods; this was the Vaiṣṇava bow, equal in essence to the Rudra bow. Paraśurāma recounted how, in ancient times, the gods had questioned the Grandfather (Brahmā) to discern the relative strength of Śiva and Viṣṇu. Brahmā, understanding their intent, caused enmity between the two supreme deities, leading to a great and hair-raising battle. In this conflict, both Śiva and Viṣṇu sought victory, and the terrifying Śiva bow was drawn forth. Mahādeva, the three-eyed god, was halted by a mighty roar, and the gods, sages, and celestial beings assembled to witness the contest. After being entreated for peace, both Śiva and Viṣṇu departed, and the gods and sages, seeing Viṣṇu’s prowess in straining the Śiva bow, considered him superior. However, Rudra became enraged among the Videhas and gifted the bow, along with its arrows, to King Devarāta, the royal sage. The Vaiṣṇava bow, Paraśurāma explained, was entrusted by Viṣṇu to Ṛcīka Bhārgava, who then gave it to his son, unmatched in deeds. Paraśurāma’s own father, Jamadagni, received the divine bow when Ṛcīka, endowed with ascetic power, laid down his weapons. Paraśurāma then recalled how Arjuna, acting with ordinary intelligence, caused death, and upon hearing of his father’s cruel and improper killing, Paraśurāma himself repeatedly destroyed the warrior class in anger. After conquering the entire earth, he gave it as a sacrificial gift to Kaśyapa at the end of the sacrifice, as a reward for virtuous deeds. Having fulfilled his duties, he dwelt at Mahendra, endowed with ascetic power, but upon hearing of the breaking of the bow, he came swiftly to confront Rāma. Thus, Paraśurāma declared, the great bow of Viṣṇu had come down through his father and grandfather. Honoring the warrior’s duty, he urged Rāma to take up this excellent bow, fit the conquering arrow to it, and prove his strength. If Rāma succeeded, Paraśurāma would grant him a duel. As the seventy-sixth sarga begins, Daśaratha’s son listened to Paraśurāma’s words and, constrained by respect, spoke first to his father and then to Paraśurāma. He acknowledged the deeds Paraśurāma had performed and honored him for fulfilling his father’s debt. Rāma then asserted that Paraśurāma regarded him as powerless, lacking in valor and unable to uphold the warrior’s duty. He invited Paraśurāma to behold his prowess. With these words, Rāma, angered, took the mighty weapon and arrow from Paraśurāma’s hand, swift in valor. He fitted the bow and made the arrow ready, then spoke to Paraśurāma, declaring that, as a Brāhmaṇa worthy of reverence—like Viśvāmitra—he could not release the life-taking arrow against him. Instead, Rāma resolved either to destroy Paraśurāma’s path or to strike down the worlds won by ascetic power, for the divine arrow of Viṣṇu never falls in vain; its power destroys the arrogance of strength. At that moment, to witness Rāma, bearer of the supreme weapon, all the gods, along with the hosts of sages and the Grandsire at their head, assembled completely.