Rama Breaks the Pinaka

Upon hearing Emperor Janaka's words, Lakshmana sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing, fists clenched with impatience. Rama pacified his younger brother.

"Dear Rama, lift Lord Shiva's bow and allay Emperor Janaka's fears," commanded Sage Vishwamitra.

Upon hearing his guru's command, Rama got up and touched his guru's feet. Calm and composed, he walked toward the bow and picked it up easily, as if it were a garland of flowers. As he strung the bow, it broke in two with an earth-shattering sound.

Parashurama, the son of Sage Jamadagni, was the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Born a Brahmin, he hated Kshatriyas with a vengeance as they had killed his father. Deep in meditation, he heard the Pinaka break although he was hundreds of yojanas away from Mithila. He burst into Emperor Janaka's court, his eyes blazing like fire. He had a similar bow slung over his left shoulder and an axe in his right hand. All the kings and princes there were petrified.

Parashurama's voice boomed like roaring thunder: "O foolish Janaka, which scoundrel dared to break the Pinaka? Present him to me, or I will destroy your kingdom."