Parashurama Demands the Cause of the Uproar
Bala Kanda, Doha 269
Doha 269 · Movement 2 of 2
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Parashurama turns again toward Janaka. The broken bow lies in full view and the celebration has barely subsided, yet he asks the king to explain the cause of the immense commotion.
He questions as though he does not already know what has summoned him. The formal demand gives Janaka one narrow passage through which to speak before anger takes complete possession.
Rage spreads across the sage's body while he waits. The flush of his face deepens, the axe remains upon his shoulder, and the frightened court recognizes that the ceremony has entered another trial. The thunder of the bow is gone. In its place stands the quieter danger of a question whose answer lies upon the ground.
He asks what happened while every broken fragment answers at his feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
बहुरि बिलोकि बिदेह सन कहहु काह अति भीर।। पूछत जानि अजान जिमि ब्यापेउ कोपु सरीर।।269।।
Then, gazing again at Videha's king, he demanded: 'Tell me, what is this great commotion?' Asking as though he did not already know, rage overtook his entire body.