Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Lomasha Maharshi, “Bhagawan! Why did the radiance of Parasurāma get depleted and how did he regain it? Please narrate this incident to us.”
Lomasha Maharshi replied, “O king! Listen from me the story of Shree Rāma, son of Dasaratha and Parasurāma, scion of the Bhrigu vamsha. In the olden days, Bhagawan Vishnu had taken the avatar of Shree Rāma, the personification of SatChitAnanda and was born as the son of Raja Dasaratha. The purpose of His avatar was to kill the sinner, Rāvana. All of us used to constantly remember and have darshan of Shree Rāma in Ayodhyā.
On hearing about the valour and dexterity of Shree Rāma, the scion of Bhrigu and Ruchik vamsa, Parasurāma, son of Renuka arrived in Ayodhyā to see Him with His divine bow that had killed countless kshatriyas. He had come there with an intention to test the strength, skill and gallantry of Shree Rāma.
Dasaratha sent Shree Rāma to receive Parasurāma when he had reached the outskirts of the city. On seeing Shree Rāma with His bow and arrow in his hands, Parasurāma laughingly said, “O king! If you truly possess the strength, then put the bowstring in this bow. This is that bow which I have used to kill kshatriyas.”
Shree Rāma replied, “Bhagawan! You should not attack me like this. I am not a lowly kshatriya among the dvijātis who has not followed the kshatriya dharma. It is a fact that warriors of the Ikshvāku vamsha do not praise their prowess.”
Parasurāma replied, “There is no need to give excuses. Take this bow and tie the bowstring.”
Shree Rāma took the bow from Parasurāma and tied the bowstring with ease. Then, Shree Rāma playfully pulled the bowstring and a deafening sound could be heard. All the beings became fearful on hearing that sound which was like lightning.
“I have done as you have asked and tied the bowstring. What else can I do for you?”
Parasurāma, son of Jamadgni Brahmarshi gave him a divine arrow, “Place this arrow on the bow and pull the bowstring till your ear.”
Shree Rāma became overcome with anger, “O son of Bhrigu! You are very proud. I am hearing your harsh words and forgiving you for the same. You have acquired extraordinary radiance after defeating kshatriyas because of the blessings of Ruchik, your grandfather. This is why you are attacking me.
Here, I give you divya drushti. With that, you can have darshan of my true form.” At that moment, the scion of Bhrigu vamsa, Parasurāma saw in Shree Rāmachandra’s body, the twelve Ādityas, eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, Sādhyadevathas, forty-nine Marudganas, Pithrus, Agnideva, nakshatras, planets, gandharvas, raksasas, yakshas, rivers, tīrthas, Sanatana Brahmabooth Bālakhilya Rishis, Devarshis, the entire ocean, mountains, Vedas along with the Upaniṣads, Vashatkāra, yagnas, sāma and Dhanur Veda.
He saw all these were with Consciousness clearly. He continuously had darshan of groups of clouds, rain and lightning/thunderbolt within His divine body. After that, Bhagawan Shree Rāmachandra who is the form of Lord Vishnu released the arrow.
The entire universe was pervaded with lightning when there were no clouds and massive meteors. A great storm commenced and there were showers of dust everywhere. Torrential rain poured down from masses of clouds. There were repeated earthquakes. Thunder and other scary sounds that were indictors of impending disaster could be heard.
The celestial arrow that had left the golden arms of Shree Rāmachandra made Parasurāma uneasy and disturbed and only snatched his radiance. Parasurāma became unconscious for a moment and when he regained consciousness, he was a like man who had woken up from the dead. He offered prostrations to Bhagawan Shree Rama who is adorned with the brilliance of Lord Vishnu.
Then, Parasurāma took leave of Bhagawan Vishnu Shree Rama and went to Mahendra Parvat. Embarrassed and scared, he performed tapas. After a year had passed, his ancestors seeing him bereft of his radiance and devoid of pride said thus to the sad Parasurāma, “You did not behave appropriately with Bhagawan Vishnu. He is always worshipped and revered in the three worlds. Son, now go to the banks of the Vadhusara River. After you bathe in the sacrosanct tīrthas there, you will regain your former splendour.
Deeptodak Tīrtha is where in the Devayuga, your paternal great-grandfather Bhrigu had performed exalted tapas.”
Parasurāma did as instructed and regained his brilliance after bathing in this holy water.”
[Excerpt: Tīrthayātrāparva, Vanaparva, Mahābhārat]
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