Arjuna, relying on ordinary judgment, had once brought about much destruction, his wrath ignited again and again by the cruel and improper killing of his father. In his anger, he repeatedly annihilated the warrior class. Eventually, having conquered the entire earth, he offered it as a sacrificial gift to the great sage Kaśyapa at the completion of his sacrifice, as a reward for virtuous deeds. After giving away the earth, he took up residence at Mount Mahendra, sustained by his ascetic power. But when he heard of the breaking of the great bow, he hurried to the spot without delay. Thus, O Rāma, this exalted bow of Viṣṇu has been handed down from father to son through generations. In honor of the warrior’s duty, you should take up this excellent bow. Fit the conquering arrow to this supreme weapon; if you are able, O descendant of Kakutstha, then I shall grant you a duel. Having heard these words from Jāmadagnya, the son of Daśaratha, constrained by respect, first spoke to his father and then addressed 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 see me as powerless, lacking valor, and unable to uphold the warrior’s duty. Today, O Bhārgava, behold my prowess.” Having spoken thus, Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, angered, seized the mighty weapon of Bhārgava and the arrow from his hand, swift in valor. He fitted the bow and readied the arrow, and then, still burning with anger, addressed Jāmadagnya: “You are a Brāhmaṇa and worthy of my reverence, as is Viśvāmitra. Therefore, O Rāma, I am not able to release this life-taking arrow against you. Instead, I shall destroy either your path or the worlds you have won through your unrivaled asceticism—this is my resolve. For this divine arrow of Viṣṇu never falls in vain; by its power, it destroys the arrogance of strength.” At that moment, to witness this wondrous event, all the gods, with the Grandsire at their head, along with hosts of sages, Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Kinnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Nāgas, assembled there. The entire world seemed to stand still as Rāma held the supreme bow. Jāmadagnya, his strength gone before Rāma’s radiance, gazed at him with joy. Deprived of his vigor, he spoke gently to lotus-eyed Rāma. “Long ago I gave the earth to Kāśyapa, and he instructed me not to dwell within my own domain. Therefore, obeying my teacher’s command, I do not remain on earth at night; from that time onward, O descendant of Kakutstha, I have kept Kāśyapa’s word. O hero, do not destroy my path, O Rāghava; I will go, swift as thought, to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. The worlds I have conquered by asceticism are unrivaled; let your foremost arrow strike them so that the time of destruction does not come. I know you are the undying slayer of Madhu, the lord of the gods. By your mere touch of this bow, may all be well with you, O scorcher of foes. All these hosts of gods have assembled and are watching you, whose deeds are unmatched, who has no equal in battle. Nor should it be a cause of shame for me, O descendant of Kakutstha, that I have been turned away by you, the lord of the three worlds. O Rāma, you of firm vows, release the peerless arrow; after you do so, I will go to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains.” When the mighty Jāmadagnya had thus spoken, Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, released the supreme arrow. Jāmadagnya saw his own worlds, won by asceticism, struck down by Rāma’s arrow, and swiftly departed to Mahendra, the greatest of mountains. Then all directions and quarters became clear, and the gods and hosts of sages praised Rāma, wielder of the mighty bow. Rāma, son of Daśaratha, was honored by Rāma, son of Jamadagni; after circumambulating him, the lord departed on his own path. When Rāma had departed, the tranquil-minded Rāma, son of Daśaratha and famed throughout the world, placed the bow into the hands of the immeasurable Varuṇa. Then, bowing to the sages led by Vasiṣṭha, he saw his father, who was distressed, and spoke to him, the delight of the Raghu line: “Jāmadagnya Rāma has gone. Let the fourfold army now proceed toward Ayodhyā, protected by you as its lord.” Hearing his son’s words, King Daśaratha embraced Rāma with both arms and kissed his head. Learning that Rāma had departed, the king was filled with delight and overwhelming joy; at that moment, he felt as if both he and his son had been born anew. He ordered the army to advance and swiftly journeyed to the city, beautiful with banners and flags, resounding with the music of drums and instruments. The royal road was sprinkled and lovely, strewn with heaps of flowers, and the people of the city, holding auspicious offerings, greeted the king at the entrance. The king entered the city, filled and adorned with throngs of people, welcomed from afar by citizens, Brahmins, and townsfolk. Accompanied by his sons and glorious companions, the illustrious king entered his beloved palace, splendid as Mount Himavat.