Flying into a rage, he thundered, ‘Tell me, Janaka, you fool, who has broken the bow? Show him at once, you dotard, or here and now I will overthrow your realm as far as your dominion extends!’

In his excess of fear, the king could give no answer; and the wicked kings were inwardly delighted. Gods, sages, serpents and the people of the city were all filled with anxiety and profound alarm.

Sita’s mother lamented within herself, ‘Alas! God has undone an accomplished fact’. When Sita heard of Parashurama’s irascrible temperament, even half a minute seemed to her to pass like an aeon.

When the Lord Ramachandra saw everyone seized with panic and perceived Sita’s anxiety, he said with neither joy nor sorrow in his heart:

‘My lord, it must be one of your servants who has broken the bow of Shiva. What is your command? Pray tell me’. At this the furious sage was all the more incensed, and said,

‘A servant is one who serves, but he who acts like an enemy must be fought. Listen, Rama, whoever has broken Shiva’s bow is as much my enemy as Saharabahu!

Let him stand apart, leaving this assembly, or else everyone of these kings shall be slain’. When he heard the sage’s threat, Lakshmana smiled and spoke to Parashurama (the Wielder of the Axe) in a tone of contempt;