[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.1974 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1974 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.1974 - **Language:** English ### [c9.1974](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1974) There was no reason for the direct fight between Śiva and Viṣṇu. The Devas wanted to test who was the more powerful of the two, Śiva or Viṣṇu, and they told Brahmā about the idea. By carrying tales to them, one against the other, Brahmā made Śiva and Viṣṇu mutual enemies. The enmity led to a fight between the two. Viśvakarman made a bow for each of the contestants. In the fight between the two Śiva got defeated. Śiva, who got angry at his temporary defeat presented his bow and arrow to Devarāta, King of Videha. It was this bow, which Śrī Rāma broke at the wedding of Sītā in a later period. As soon as the fight was over the Devas realised that Viṣṇu was greater than Śiva. After the fight Viṣṇu gave his bow to Ṛcika, the Bhārgava muni. Jamadagni got it from Ṛcika, and he gave it to Paraśurāma. It was with this bow that Paraśurāma confronted Śrī Rāma on his way back after wedding Sītā. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, Canto 75). - [Previous: c9.1973](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1973) - [Next: c9.1975](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1975) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki.1.75) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1974](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1974) · Pramāṇa