Lakshmana Asks Why One Old Bow Is So Dear
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 268
Doha 271 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram answers with humility: whoever broke Shambhu's bow must be some servant of yours. Command me and say what should be done. Parashurama rejects the language. A servant performs service; one who behaves as an enemy must be fought.
He declares the breaker of Shiva's bow his foe, equal to Sahasrabahu, and commands him to leave the assembly or see every king slain. The threat lands among rulers suddenly dependent upon the prince they had threatened.
Lakshmana smiles. In childhood, he says, we broke many small bows, yet no master became so angry. Why this attachment to one weapon? Lightly spoken mockery touches the most guarded place in Parashurama's heart. The banner of Bhrigu's line turns upon him in fresh fury.
Ram offers service, Parashurama names an enemy, and Lakshmana answers with a smile.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 268
All eight retained; selected Lakshmana smile/challenge sourceportion6/7.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 262 · printed pages 260. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-268. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- 1 Rama says Shambhu-bow breaker must be one of YOUR SERVANTS.
- 2 Rama asks why notgiveorderME; angry muni responds.
- 3 Parashurama servantdoesSERVICE enemyactfight.
- 4 Named comparison SAHASRABAHU enemy notgenericthousandarmeddemon/genealogy.
- 5 Demandbreakerleaveassembly ELSE threatALLKINGS, notactualmassacre.
- 6 Lakshmana smiles speaksdisparaginglytoParashurama.
- 7 ManyLITTLEBOWS brokenCHILDHOOD sage neverangerlike this.
- 8 WhyattachmentTHISBOW? Parashurama angrilyresponds.
Artistic choices
- PASS oneFAIRwarmtanLakshmana head TWOconnectedownarms TWOownhands ownRIGHT chest ownLEFT openpalmRIGHT. OPENeyesRIGHT raisedbrows smallwryPARTEDSMILE; yellowfoldedfabriccap feather whiteUred pearlsGREEN TULSI notblueRama noVictoryloop. ZEROotherfigures/animals no actualchildhoodbowflashback or massacre. E10matteflat broadcolorfields.
- Exact poses/gazes/numericalages/garment/gear shapesmaterials/arrow counts/fastening architecture artistchoices not historicalwholeparticipant/anatomy/motion/cosmic census. Allsource units offcrop retained noabsenceinference, no corpus corrections/invented attributed Hindi/publishing.
- CurrentRama afterC261 VictoryflowerCHESTgarland GREEN TULSI PEARLS distinct wherevisible; fairtanLakshmana noVictoryloop, Parashurama firstsource-described C265model withashJATA deerskinthreadrosarytwoquiversbowarrowsAXE retained. Source threats not actual injury/massacre, comparisons not actual Kala/Sahasrabahu demon body or physicalchildhoodflashback.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
नाथ संभुधनु भंजनिहारा। होइहि केउ एक दास तुम्हारा।। आयसु काह कहिअ किन मोही। सुनि रिसाइ बोले मुनि कोही।। सेवकु सो जो करै सेवकाई। अरि करनी करि करिअ लराई।। सुनहु राम जेहिं सिवधनु तोरा। सहसबाहु सम सो रिपु मोरा।। सो बिलगाउ बिहाइ समाजा। न त मारे जैहहिं सब राजा।। सुनि मुनि बचन लखन मुसुकाने। बोले परसुधरहि अपमाने।। बहु धनुहीं तोरीं लरिकाईं। कबहुँ न असि रिस कीन्हि गोसाईं।। एहि धनु पर ममता केहि हेतू। सुनि रिसाइ कह भृगुकुलकेतू।।
'Lord, whoever broke Shambhu's bow must surely be some servant of yours. What is your command? Pray, tell me.' Hearing this, the wrathful sage spoke in anger: 'A servant is one who serves faithfully. One who acts like a foe must be fought as a foe. Hear me, Rama: whoever broke Shiva's bow is my enemy, the equal of Sahasrabahu. Let that person step forward from this assembly, or else all these kings shall be slain.' Hearing the sage's words, Lakshmana smiled and spoke, mocking the axe-bearer: 'We broke many a little bow in childhood play. Never did any master show such anger, my lord! Why such attachment to this one bow?' Hearing this, the pride of Bhrigu's clan spoke in fury: