Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.406

c9.406

6) Ṛcīka and the Vaiṣṇava bow. Once Viśvakarmā made two mighty bows. One of them was taken by Śiva to burn the Tripuras. That bow is known as "Śaivacāpa". The other bow was given to Viṣṇu. It is called "Vaiṣṇavācāpa". The Devas wished to see a trial of strength between Śiva and Viṣṇu. They prompted Brahmā to bring a quarrel between Śiva and Viṣṇu. A fight began between Śiva and Viṣṇu. Both the Śaivacāpa and Vaiṣṇavācāpa went into action. But Śiva was defeated. After that, Śiva gave his bow to Devarāta, king of Videha. By inheritance it came into the hands of king Janaka, the father of Sītā. It was this bow which was broken by Śrī Rāma at the time of Sītā's Svayaṃvara.