Joining his hands in salutation, the noble Bhargava slowly approached the lord of devas. With his body wet with tears of joy, he approached Hara's presence. He spoke reverential words, full of devotion, and his words choked because of his joy. He fell down and touched the feet of Tripura's destroyer with his head. In the midst of the large number of devas, Shiva was pleased. With a delighted face that resembled a lotus, he raised Rama, as devas looked on. He smiled and affectionately addressed him in sweet words. "These gods have been attacked by large numbers of daityas and have been dislodged from their own positions. They are unable to kill them and have approached me. O Rama! Therefore, wishing to do something agreeable for devas, follow my command. Slay all the daityas. It is my view that you are capable." With his hands joined in salutation, Rama prostrated himself before Sharva. He replied in these humble words. "O lord! You are in all atmans and are omniscient. What is not known to you? Nevertheless, please listen to the words I submit. Shakra and all the other immortals are incapable of killing the enemy. How can I do that alone? O lord of devas! I do not know about weapons. I am not skilled in fighting. Without weapons, how can I kill all the enemies of the gods?" Thus addressed, the lord of devas gave the great-souled one his brilliant energy, which was full of all of Shiva's weapons and was as radiant as the fire of destruction. He gave him his own parashu (battle-axe), which was capable of subduing all weapons. He spoke to Rama. "Through my favours, you will slay all the enemies of the gods. You will possess a power that all enemies will find impossible to resist. With this weapon alone, go and fight with the enemies." Rama prostrated himself before Shambhu. He accepted and raised up Shiva's parashu, meant for the enemies of the gods. Rama, born from a portion of Vishnu's energy, was radiant. Combined with devotion towards Rudra, he dazzled like the sun at mid-day. He took the permission of the three-eyed one. Along with all the devas, he proceeded, having made up his mind to fight and kill the asuras. Thereafter, there was a battle between devas and asuras again. In that battle, the mighty-armed Rama was extremely terrible. He used the parashu to angrily kill the great asuras. All the daityas and danavas were killed by Rama. All those who were not killed saw Rama and were filled with fear.

goodness

An Unusual Man

The Banality of Evil