O descendant of Kakutstha, listen to the tale of the two divine bows, equal in might and essence to the bow of Rudra himself. In ancient days, all the gods, eager to discern the true measure of Śiva and Viṣṇu, approached the Grandfather, Brahmā, with their question. Understanding their intent, Brahmā, the Grandsire, set in motion a test to reveal the relative strength and weakness of those two supreme deities. Thus, enmity arose between Śiva and Viṣṇu, the foremost upholders of truth. From this enmity, a tremendous and hair-raising battle unfolded—a conflict that shook the very heavens. In the midst of this great contest, each sought the other's victory, and the terrifying Śiva bow was drawn forth, radiating immense power. At that moment, the great god Mahādeva, the three-eyed one, was halted by a thunderous roar. The gods, along with hosts of sages and celestial beings, assembled in awe and concern. They entreated the two supreme lords for peace, and, seeing the Śiva bow strained by Viṣṇu’s matchless prowess, the deities prevailed upon them to desist. The gods and sages, witnessing this, declared Viṣṇu the superior in strength. Yet Rudra, the illustrious one, was filled with wrath among the Videhas. In his anger, Rudra bestowed the mighty bow and its fearsome arrows upon King Devarāta, the royal sage. As for the bow of Viṣṇu, O Rāma, it is the very conqueror of enemy cities. Viṣṇu entrusted this excellent bow to Ṛcīka Bhārgava, who, in turn, passed it to his illustrious son. My father, Jamadagni, the great-souled sage, received it from his father, Ṛcīka, after Ṛcīka had renounced his weapons and embraced asceticism. But then, Arjuna—adopting ordinary intelligence—committed a terrible act, causing death. When I, his son, heard of my father’s cruel and unjust killing, I was seized with anger and repeatedly destroyed the warrior class. Having conquered the entire earth, I gave it as a sacrificial gift to the great-souled Kaśyapa at the completion of my sacrifice, O Rāma, as a reward for virtuous deeds. Thereafter, I dwelt at Mahendra, endowed with ascetic power. But when I heard of the breaking of the bow, I hastened here at once. Thus, O Rāma, this great bow of Viṣṇu has been passed down from father to son, from grandfather to grandson. Now, as a true kṣatriya, honor your warrior’s duty: take up this excellent bow. Fit the conquering arrow to the best of bows. If you are able, O scion of Kakutstha, I shall grant you a duel. Now begins the seventy-sixth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Having heard the words of Jāmadagnya, the son of Daśaratha, bound by respect, spoke first to his father and then to Rāma. “O Bhārgava, I have heard of your mighty deeds. We honor you, O Brahman, for you have fulfilled your father’s debt. Yet you regard me as powerless, lacking valor, and unable to uphold the kṣatriya’s dharma. Witness my prowess today.” Thus spoke Rāghava, his anger rising. Swiftly, he took the formidable weapon of Bhārgava and the arrow from his hand. With sure hands, Rāma fitted the bow and readied the arrow, and, his anger undiminished, addressed Jāmadagnya: “You are a Brāhmaṇa and worthy of my reverence, as is Viśvāmitra. Therefore, O Rāma, I cannot release this life-taking arrow against you. Yet I shall destroy either your path, O Rāma, or the worlds you have won by ascetic power—this is my resolve. For this divine arrow of Viṣṇu, O conqueror of enemy cities, never falls in vain; by its power, it humbles the pride of strength.” At that moment, all the gods, with the Grandsire at their head, along with hosts of sages, Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Kinnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Nāgas, assembled to behold this wondrous event. The world itself seemed to hold its breath as Rāma, supreme bow in hand, stood ready. Jāmadagnya, drained of his vigor by Rāma’s radiance, gazed at him with joy and humility. Slowly and gently, he spoke to Rāma, whose eyes are like lotus petals: “Long ago, I gave the earth to Kāśyapa, who instructed me not to dwell within my own domain. Thus, obeying my teacher’s command, I do not dwell on earth at night, and have kept my word ever since, O descendant of Kakutstha. O hero, do not destroy my path, O Rāghava; I shall depart swiftly to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. The worlds I have conquered by asceticism—strike them with your peerless arrow, so that the time of destruction does not come. “I know you to be the undying slayer of Madhu, the lord of gods. By your mere touch of this bow, may all be well with you, O scorcher of foes. All these hosts of gods are assembled, watching you, whose deeds are unmatched, who has no equal in battle. Nor should it be a cause for shame, O descendant of Kakutstha, that I am turned away by you, the lord of the three worlds. O Rāma, you of firm vows, release the supreme arrow; after you do so, I shall go to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains.” When the mighty Jāmadagnya had spoken thus, Rāma, son of Daśaratha, glorious, released the supreme arrow. The worlds won by Jāmadagnya’s asceticism were struck down by Rāma’s power, and Jāmadagnya swiftly departed to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. Then, all directions and quarters became clear. The gods and hosts of sages praised Rāma, wielder of the mighty bow. Rāma, son of Daśaratha, was honored by Rāma, son of Jamadagni; and, having circumambulated him, the great sage departed on his own path.