taken away by Duryodhana, even as Rama regained his that had been
taken away by Dasaratha's son in hostile encounter.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "At these words of Lomasa, Yudhishthira bathed
there with his brothers and Krishna, and offered oblations of water, O
Bharata, to the gods and the Pitris. And, O bull among men, after
Yudhishthira had bathed in that _tirtha_, his 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
Dasarath