Chapter 45 - The narrative of Bhārgava Paraśurāma (i)

Vasiṣṭha said:—

1. Then once Śūra (i.e. Kārttavīrya’s son) who had escaped to the Himalayan forests—went to the forest for hunting along with Śūrasena and others and accompanied by the armies of four different units.

2. After entering the great forest, they killed different kinds of animals. Overwhelmed by thirst at midday, they went to the river Narmada.

3. Taking their bath there and drinking the waters of the river, they got rid of their fatigue. While going away they saw the hermitage of Jamadagni on the way.

4. On seeing the charming hermitage, they asked sages coming that way—“whose hermitage is this?” In that they were urged by the inevitable future result of their actions.

5. They replied: “Jamadagni of great penance lives in this hermitage. He is a sage of quiescent soul and his son Kama is the most excellent one among the wielders of weapons.”

6. On hearing it and because Rāma’s name was mentioned, they were overcome with fear at the outset. Remembering their previous ruthless enmity, they were exceedingly enraged.

7. Then they conferred with one another—“Since our father has been killed by Paraśurāma, why should we not take revenge by killing the father of the slayer of our father? Direct us now.”

8. After saying this, they entered the hermitage with swords in their hands, as the heroic sages had gone to different places. They killed Jamadagni.

9. After killing him, they took away his head like the ruthless Niṣadas (hunters). Those wicked ones then returned to their capital along with their armies.

10. On seeing their father killed, the sons of that noble-souled sage lamented, O great king. Afflicted by grief they stood surrounding him,

11. On seeing her husband fallen on the ground after being killed, Reṇukā immediately fell down senseless like a creeper struck down by the thunderbolt.

12. After falling unconscious, she was burnt by the fire of grief in her mind. Like one whose consciousness is lost, she became separated from her vital airs. She died instantaneously.

13. The sons who had regained consciousness saw that she did not utter any word. They became immersed in the ocean of grief and fell down senseless on the ground.

14. Other sages who were living in that penance-grove, came there. They too were equally grieved but they consoled the sons of the sage.

15. After being consoled by the groups of sages the sons of Jamadagni duly cremated the bodies of their parents at their instance.

16. They performed all the obsequies that should be performed later on after the death of parents. They were afflicted day and night by the sorrow, due to the death of their parents.

17. In due course of time, at the end of the period of twelve years, Rāma returned from his penance. Accompanied by his friend, he went to the hermitage of his father.