Confessions Of Urmila 12 - A Challenge Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

The journey to Ayodhya was uneventful
but for a challenge by another Ram.

Parashuram a venerable gentleman,
a disciple of Lord Pinaki himself
a brahmachari, hailed as Chiranjeevi
a sworn nemesis of the Kshatriyas,

challenged Ram for a duel in archery,
which he lost miserably;
even in the moments of victory,
young Ram bowed humbly before his challenger.


Names and Words:
Parasuram: Son of Maharshi Jamadagni and Princess Renuka. The story narrated in Padmapuranam describes how King Kartaveeryarjuna kills the Maharshi and purloins his holy cow Surabhi. Enraged by this, Parasuram kills not just the King, but all the Kshatriyas.
Lord Pinaki: Lord Siva, hailed as Lord Maheswara
Brahmachari: one who is sworn to celibacy
Chiranjeevi: one who has defied death