Baal Kaanda
52 - Sita places the wreath of victory round Rama's neck
Chaupais
Description
Seeing the uproar the women of the city were all distressed and joined in cursing the princes. The very moment arrived the sage Parasurama, a very sun to the lotus-like race of Bhrgu, led by the news of the breaking of the bow. At his very sight the kings all cowered down even as a quail would shrink beneath the swoop of a hawk. A coat of ashes looked most charming on his fair body; his broad forehead was adorned with a Tripundra (as peculiar mark consisting of three horizontal lines, sacred to Siva). Having matted locks on the head, his handsome moonlike face was a bit reddened with anger; with knitted brows and eyes inflamed with passion, his natural look gave one the impression that he was enraged. He had well-built shoulders like those of a bull and a broad chest and long arms; he was adorned with a beautiful sacred thread, rosary and deerskin. With an anchorite's covering about his loins and a pair of quivers fastened by his side, he held a bow and arrows in his hands and an axe upon his fair shoulder.