Free PRINCE IN EXILE by AKB eBOOKS Ashok K. Banker

saying that the combat had been interrupted without a satisfactory conclusion. Shiva, of course, was greatly angered by the outcome, and in a fit of rage he went to Mithila City and gave away his unstrung bow to Devarata, then king of the Vaideha nation. It remained in the possession of the kings of Vaideha, passing eventually to Maharaja Janaka, the present liege.’ 
    Parsurama paused and slipped his axe through the loop of the sling tied across his shoulder, freeing his hand to hoist the bow aloft, displaying it for all to see. It caught the light of the late afternoon sun and gleamed like burnished metal, dazzling in its finery. ‘This is Vishnu’s bow, the same one with which he bested Shiva, albeit momentarily. Vishnu did not wish to keep it, knowing in his infinite wisdom that any astra of such potency ought not to be in the possession of one so powerful as himself. So he gave it in sacred trust to Richika of the Bhrigu clan, from whom I myself am descended. Mighty Richika handed it down to my father Jamadagni. Yet even when Kartavirya’s sons came to murder him in revenge for my having killed their father, Jamadagni did not use Vishnu’s bow to defend himself. For he was a man of peaceful, spiritual pursuits, a true Brahmin.’ 
    Parsurama’s voice betrayed his emotion now, turning sorrowful. 
    ‘Thus he allowed himself to be killed rather than raise a hand in anger. For such is the code of the Brahmins since the beginning of our proud race. Even when we found his butchered body, chopped up as cruelly and heartlessly as the carcass of any forest animal, my sister and my brothers could think only of praying for repentance on behalf of the culprits who had perpetrated that dastardly act. But I,’ he paused, his fierce eyes shining with tears, ‘I, Parsurama, eldest of my father’s sons, could not bear to see my father’s death go unavenged. For he was killed in retaliation for a deed I had committed, and I felt myself answerable to the consquences of my actions. And so I took up the axe which I used to chop wood for our cookfires, and went forth into the world with vengeance in my breast and a vow upon my lips. I vowed that I would rid the earth of every last warrior-caste that lived. And so I did, reaping a terrible harvest throughout Prithvi-lok, this mortal realm. Thrice times seven I slew the Kshatriyas and their sons, sparing only those women who did not raise arms against me and who were not pregnant with male offspring. Those that bore weapons or male embryos, I destroyed as well.’ 
    Parsurama gained hold of his emotions, lowering the bow slowly. Sita saw his hand tremble with the intensity of his passion. Parsurama held out the bow to Rama. 
    ‘If you truly are the one who broke Shiva’s bow, and the one who made the three worlds tremble by unleashing the mighty Brahm-astra, then I challenge you to prove it. Take this great Bow of Vishnu and use it against me if you can. Face me in single combat, I with my wood-axe, and you with Vishnu’s bow, and we shall determine if you are truly deserving of your claims. To arms, Kshatriya!’ 
    And Parsurama tossed the Bow of Vishnu to Rama and raised his axe once more, as a terrible roar rose from the throats of every Ayodhyan. 
    Dasaratha swam up from a fog of ghoulish hallucinations to find himself confronted with yet another nightmarish scenario. He struggled to raise himself from the cushioned seat on which he lay, unable to credit the evidence of his eyes. Through the ornately carved side panel of the palanquin, he could see the amassed PFs, veterans of the last asura wars, and soldiers of the First Akshohini ranged in a defensive phalanx. The familiar wrestler’s physique of their commander left no doubt that it was Senapati Dheeraj Kumar, which gave some idea of the serious nature of the crisis. The general stood off to one side, sword drawn but lowered. Despite having only just regained consciousness and having his field of vision restricted