Judgement of Parusurama about the power of Rama 1.76.16-17
Parusurama knows Rama can destroy the world that he had earned by his merit. The commentator quotes Rgveda (X-9) in this context. He points out, ‘Here we see the judgment of Parasurama about Rama’s power, he fixes the bow of Visnu which others can neither hold nor draw. ‘By saying I am powerful I am reduced to a weak person’, reflects Parasurama. This reveals that Parasurama was an avatar only in part while Rama was an avatar of the lord in full.
It appears that the purpose of this entire episode is to make clear before Dasaratha and others Rama’s true form. Even if a fraction of Visnu’s energy were not in him, it would have become difficult to kill Ravana. It is for this reason that the gods and gandharvas etc arrive on the scene, in order to convince themselves that Ravana’s end was near. ‘As my sin is burnt by means of penance and the merit I had acquired is lost while you shoot the arrow I go now as one liberated alive (Jivan-mukta)’. This is the implied sense. Parasurama goes round Rama who is immanent in all beings. But he did not bow down physically because Rama was a kshatriya. Rama gives the bow for preservation to Varuna who was watching the wonderful event from the sky amidst the gods, Varuna whose immeasurability Aitareya Upanishad celebrates.
Amidst all the four princes Rama alone has the highest reputation. He is the most virtuous among all beings like Brahma himself. This is the purport.
Judgement of Parusurama about the power of Rama 1.76.16-17
Parusurama knows Rama can destroy the world that he had earned by his merit. The commentator quotes Rgveda (X-9) in this context. He points out, ‘Here we see the judgment of Parasurama about Rama’s power, he fixes the bow of Visnu which others can neither hold nor draw. ‘By saying I am powerful I am reduced to a weak person’, reflects Parasurama. This reveals that Parasurama was an avatar only in part while Rama was an avatar of the lord in full.
It appears that the purpose of this entire episode is to make clear before Dasaratha and others Rama’s true form. Even if a fraction of Visnu’s energy were not in him, it would have become difficult to kill Ravana. It is for this reason that the gods and gandharvas etc arrive on the scene, in order to convince themselves that Ravana’s end was near. ‘As my sin is burnt by means of penance and the merit I had acquired is lost while you shoot the arrow I go now as one liberated alive (Jivan-mukta)’. This is the implied sense. Parasurama goes round Rama who is immanent in all beings. But he did not bow down physically because Rama was a kshatriya. Rama gives the bow for preservation to Varuna who was watching the wonderful event from the sky amidst the gods, Varuna whose immeasurability Aitareya Upanishad celebrates.
Amidst all the four princes Rama alone has the highest reputation. He is the most virtuous among all beings like Brahma himself. This is the purport.