body blazed forth in brighter
effulgence, and he became invisible in respect of all foes. The son of
Pandu then, O king, asked Lomasa, saying, 'O illustrious one, why had
Rama's energy and might been taken away? And how also did he regain it? O
exalted one, I ask thee, tell me everything.'"

"Lomasa said, 'Listen, O king, to the history of Rama (the son of
Dasaratha) and Rama of Bhrigu's line gifted with intelligence. For the
destruction of Ravana, O king, Vishnu, in his own body, took his birth as
the son of illustrious Dasaratha. We saw in Ayodhya that son of Dasaratha
after he had been born. It was then that Rama of Bhrigu's line, the son
of Richika by Renuka, hearing of Rama the son of Dasaratha--of spotless
deeds--went to Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, and taking with him that
celestial bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for ascertaining the prowess of
Dasaratha's son. And Dasaratha, hearing that Rama of Bhrigu's race had
arrived on the confines of his domains, set his own son Rama to receive
the hero with respect. And beholding Dasaratha's son approach and stand
before him with ready weapons, Rama of Bhrigu's line smilingly addressed
him, O son of Kunti, saying, 'O king, O exalted one, string, if thou
canst, with all thy mighty, this bow which in my hands was made the
instrument of destroying the Kshatriya race.' Thus addressed, Dasaratha's
son answered, 'O illustrious one, it behoveth thee not to insult me thus.
Nor am I, amongst the regenerate classes, deficient in the virtues of the
Kshatriya order. The descendants of Ikshwaku in special never boast of
the prowess of their arms.' Then unto Dasaratha's son who said so, Rama
of Bhrigu's line replied, 'A truce to all crafty speech, O king! Take
this bow.' At this, Rama the son of Dasaratha, took in anger from the
hands of Rama of Bhrigu's line that celestial bow that had dealt death to
the foremost of Kshatriyas. And, O Bharata, the mighty hero smilingly
strung that bow without the least exertion, and with its twang loud as
the thunder-rattle, affrighted all creatures. And Rama, the son of
Dasaratha, then, addressing Rama of Bhrigu's said, 'Here, I have strung
this bow. What else, O Brahmana, shall I do for thee?' Then Rama, the son
of Jamadagni, gave unto the illustrious son of Dasaratha a celestial
arrow and said, 'Placing this on the bow-string, draw to thy ear, O
hero!' "Lomasa continued, 'Hearing this, Dasaratha's son blazed up in
wrath and said, 'I have heard w