Parashurama

Parashurama
Devanagari	परशुराम

Parashurama (Sanskrit: परशुराम), (Paraśurāma), is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and arrived in the Treta yuga, and is the son of a Brahmin father Jamadagni and mother Renuka in Hindu culture he is considered one of the seven immortal (Chiranjivi) humans. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Lord Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills. He fought back the advancing seas thus saving the lands of Konkan and Malabar. The coastal area of Kerala along with the Konkan region, which is the coastal region of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra states, is also sometimes called Parashurama kshetra (Parashurama's area). Parashurama is said to be a Brahmakshatriya ("warrior Brahman"), the first warrior saint. Parashurama is worshiped as a founder (Mool Purush) of Bhumihar, Chitpavan and Daivadnya Brahmin Communities. You find the remnants of this first family of ancient Indian wisdom and social reform-Jamdagni, his wife Renuka and son Parshuram in all four farthest corners of Indian land mass. From Kutch Girnar Saurashtra to Lohit kund Northeast, from Malana in HP, Thaan-barkot in Uttarakhand to both coasts of South India, Kerala and Konkan boasts of his legacy. Even Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan and Jana paav in Madhya Pradesh in central India have his temples apart from famous Mahurgarh in Maharashtra. His perrenial hero using force of his symbolic axe to annihilate all those who were tormentors of the common people in Indian civilisation for a very long time crossing many time lines. So he is considered as everlasting, alive in memories and legends of Indian ethos across four far off corners of India.

Name

Parashu means axe in Sanskrit, hence the name Parashurama literally means 'Rama with the axe'. He is also known as Parasurama, Bhṛgupati, Bhargava, Bhargava Rāma, and Jāmdagni (Sanskrit: jamdagni as Jamdagni's son). Variations of his name include the following.

• Khmer: Reamsor (Khmer: រាមសូរ; from Rāmasūra) or Reameyso (Khmer: រាមឥសូរ; from Rāmīṡvara)
• Thai: Ramasun (Thai: รามสูร)
• Malay: Pusparama

Background

Haihaya-Kshatriya Background

Parashurama belonged to Srivatsa Gotra. It appears that the Haihayas may have been enemies and at war with several groups including other Kshatriyas. For example the Haihayas sacked Kashi during the reigns of King Haryaswa and King Sudeva (whom they killed), King Divodas and his son Pratarddana (who finally expelled them outside of the Vatsa Kingdom). All these kings were born in the Solar Dynasty and the Haihayas were a Lunar Dynasty.

The hostile Haihaya King Kartavirya Arjuna defeated the Nāga Kshatiryas who were led by Karkotaka Naga. Kartavirya made Mahishmati (present day Maheshwar) the capital of his own kingdom.

According to numerous Puranas, the military corporations of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Pahlavas and Paradas, known as five hordes (pānca-ganah), had militarily supported the Haihaya and Talajunga Kshatriyas in depriving Ikshvaku King Bahu (the 7th king in descent from Harishchandra) of his Ayodhya kingdom.

A generation later, Bahu's son, Sagara recaptured Ayodhya after totally destroying the Haihaya and Talajangha Kshatriyas in the battle. King Sagara had punished these foreign hordes by ordering their 'heads shaved' (a common practice used to humiliate and shame the enemy in the ancient world) and turning them into degraded Kshatriyas.

Extermination of the Haihaya-kshatriya caste

Paraśurāma fighting King Kartavirya Arjuna.

The enmity between the Haihaya and the Bhargavas is mentioned in the Mahabharata Hindu text numerous times. In the Bhagavata Purana SB 9.8.5-6, the Haihaya are mentioned as "the uncivilized".

Once, when Parashurama returned home, he found his mother crying hysterically. When askesorrow and anguish at her husband's death. In a rage, Parashurama vowed to exterminate the world's Kshatriyas 21 times. He killed the entire clan of Kartavirya Arjuna (or Sahasrarjuna) and then conquered the entire earth. He then conducted the Ashvamedha sacrifice, done only by sovereign kings, and gave the entire land he owned to the head-priest who performed at the yagya, viz. Kashyapa.

Parashurama then became responsible for killing the world's corrupted Haihaya kings and warriors who came to attack him in revenge for the killing of Kartavirya Arjuna, to prevent a Brahmin from being emperor and threatening their position. The Ashvamedha demanded that the kings either submit to Parashurama's imperial position or thwart the sacrifice by defeating him in battle. They did neither and were killed. Parashurama exterminated the world's Haihaya-Kshatriyas 21 times, thus fulfilling his vow.

Legends

According to one legend Parashurama also went to visit Shiva but the way was blocked by Ganesha. Parashurama threw the axe at him and Ganesha, knowing it had been given by Shiva, allowed to cut off one of his tusks. The goddess Parvati (wife of Shiva), on finding her son's tusk being cut, filled with rage and declared that if Parashurama's thirst for Kshatriya's blood was still not over, she would put a stop to it and teach him a final lesson; she would sever both of his arms and kill him. The Goddess Parvati then took a form of Shakti (the Goddess Durga) and thus became the ultimate source of Power who no other divine power could resist or match. Luckily, Shiva arrived at the scene and pacified Parvati after convincing not to harm Parashurama as he is also like her son in a way and she should forgive him as a Mother should forgive her child’s mistake. Parashurama also asked for his forgiveness. Parvati finally forgives Parashurama at the request of Ganesha. Parashurama then gave his divine axe to Ganesha and blessed him.

There is another interesting legend with regards to Parashurama's beating back the seas. It is said that he fired an arrow from his mythical bow that landed in Goa, at a place called Benaulim(Konkani:Banavali or बाणावाली) creating what is known locally as "Salkache Tollem", literally meaning "lotus Lake".

There is an interesting side to Parashurama's conquest of Kshatriyas. After one of his conquests, he returns to Aihole (Badami Taluka, Bagalkot district in Karnataka) which, some say was where he lived. The river Malaprabha does a near 180 degree turn there. While Parashurama washed his blood soaked axe upriver, beyond the bend, there were village belles washing clothes downriver. The axe was so bloody that it turned the entire river red. This, the women washing clothes saw and exclaimed "Ai hole!" (oh, what a river!). The name stuck and the village is now known as Aihole.

There is another legend that the Nairs and the Bunts (Nagas) of Kerala and Tulunadu removed their sacred thread and hid in the forests to avoid Parashurama's revenge upon the Kshatriyas. Parashurama donated the land to the Nambuthiri Brahmins and the Nambuthiris in turn denied the Nairs and Bunts Kshatriya status though they did Kshatriya duties and though some of the royal houses in Kerala arise from them.

Evidence in the Mahabharata of conflict spanning generations

Reflections of Aurva, the Great-Grandfather of Parashurama (Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 182) While lying unborn, I heard the doleful cries of my mother and other women of the Bhrigu race who were then being exterminated by the Kshatriyas. When those Kshatriyas began to exterminate the Bhrigus together with unborn children of their race, it was then that wrath filled my soul. My mother and the other women of our race, each in an advanced state of pregnancy, and my father, while terribly alarmed, found not in all the worlds a single protector. Then when the Bhrigu women found not a single protector, my mother held me in one of her thighs.

(Mahabharata, Book 13, Chapter 153) The mighty Kshatriya Talajangala was destroyed by a single Brahmana. viz., Aurva. (Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 2) In the interval between the Treta and Dwapara Yugas, Rama (the son of Jamadagni) great among all who have borne arms, urged by impatience of wrongs, repeatedly smote the noble race of Kshatriyas. And when that fiery meteor, by his own valour, annihilated the entire tribe of the Kshatriyas, he formed at Samanta-panchaka five lakes of blood.

(Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 64) The son of Jamadagni (Parashurama), after twenty-one times making the earth bereft of Kshatriyas wended to that best of mountains Mahendra and there began his ascetic penances. Mahendra Mountains are in central India, the northern end of the Eastern Ghats of India, situated in the western part of Orissa. (Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 104) In olden days, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, in anger at the death of his father, slew with his battle axe the king of the Haihayas. Haiheya was a central Indian kingdom in Madhya Pradesh of India, on the banks of Narmada River. Its capital was Mahishmati, the modern day town named Maheswar. (Mahabharata, Book 3, Chapter 85) One proceeds to Surparaka, where Jamadagni’s son (Parashurama) had formerly dwelt. Surparaka also is in western India, Maharashtra with the modern name Sopara.

(Mahabharata, Book 3, Chapter 115) Akritavrana (a disciple of Parashurama) said, ‘With pleasure shall I recite that excellent history, of the godlike deeds of Rama, the son of Jamadagni, who traced his origin to Bhrigu’s race. I shall also relate the achievements of the great ruler of the Haihaya tribe. That king, Arjuna by name, the mighty lord of the Haihaya tribe was killed by Rama. By the favour of Dattatreya he had a celestial car made of gold. (Mahabharata, Book 3, Chapter 117) Rama, the leader, thrice smote down all the Kashatriya followers of Kartavirya’s sons. And seven times did that powerful lord exterminate the military tribes of the earth.

The above shown extracts from Mahabharata shows the conflict between the Bhargavas and the Kshatriyas spanning at least four generations.

Shiva's Bow

Meeting of Rama and Parashurama

In the Ramayana, Parashurama came to the betrothal ceremony of the seventh Avatar, Rama, to the princess Sita. As a test of worthiness the suitors were required to lift and string the bow of Shiva, given to the King Janaka by Parashurama. Rama successfully strung the bow, but in the process it broke in two, producing a tremendous noise that reached the ears of Parashurama.

In one such version, played in ramlilas across India, Parashurama arrived after hearing the sound of the bow of Shiva breaking. The Kshatriyas were advised by Brahmarishi Vasistha not to confront the sage, but Sita approached the sage. He blessed her, saying "Dheergha Sumangali bhavah", literally meaning "you will have your husband alive for your lifetime, you won't see his death". So when he turned to confront Rama, the destroyer of Shiva's bow, he could not pick up his axe to do so as he pacifies by the brilliance of Rama (Vishnu avatara). This was also because, as he blessed Sita with good luck, he could not cause any harm to her husband which was a part of his own (Shri Vishnu). After recognising Rama for what he truly was, namely the avatar of Vishnu, as his bow went flying in the hands of Lord Rama.

The Mahabharata

When Amba came to Parashurama for help because Bhishma refused to marry her he decided to slay Bhishma and fought with him for twenty three days. It was a long and fierce fight between the two greatest warriors of the age. Bhishma had knowledge of the divine deadly weapon: "Pashupatastra". Parashurama had no knowledge of this weapon. When Bhishma was about to use it against Parashurama, all Gods rushed to Bhishma and requested him not to use this weapon against Parshurama as it will humiliate Parshurama. Bhishma refrained from using it. Parashurama's father, Jamadagni and grandfather, Richika, then appeared before Parashurama ordering, "O son, never again engage in battle with Bhishma or any other Kshatriya. Heroism and courage in battle are the qualities of a warrior (Kshatriya), and study of the Vedas and the practice of austerities are the wealth of the brahmanas. Previously you took up weapons to protect the brahmanas, but this is not the case now. Let this battle with Bhishma be your last". The sages once again spoke to Rama, "O son of the Bhrigu race, it is not possible to defeat Bhishma". In the end Pitris appeared on the scene and obstructed the chariot of Rama. They forbade him to fight any longer. In the end, all Gods and Parshuram himself showered praise on Bhishma and acknowledged that Bhishma is truly invincible. Parshurama then told Amba: "I have done all that I could and I have failed. Throw yourself on the mercy of Bhishma. That is the only course left to you."

Parashurama was giving away his earning and wealth of a lifetime to brahmanas, Drona approached him. Unfortunately by the time Drona arrived, Parashurama had given away all his belongings to other brahmanas. Taking pity upon the plight of Drona, Parashurama said "You can choose any of my weapons, which one would you like to have"? The clever Drona said "I will like to have your weapons with their mantras as and when I need them". Parashurama accepted. Drona decided to impart his knowledge of combat which made him supreme in the science of arms.

In the Mahabharata, Parashurama was the instructor of the warrior Karna, born to a Kshatriya mother but raised as the son of a charioteer, or lower class of Kshatriyas. Karna came to Parashurama after being rejected from the school of Drona, who taught the five Pandava and one hundred Kaurava princes. Parashurama agreed to teach Karna, who said he was a Brahmin, and gave him the knowledge of the extremely powerful Brahmastra weapon. But an incident would render the Brahmastra almost useless to Karna.

One day, Parashurama was sleeping with his head resting on Karna's thigh, when an insect crawled up and bit Karna's thigh, boring into it. In spite of the bleeding and the pain, he neither flinched or uttered a cry so that his teacher could continue his rest. However, the blood trickled down, reaching Parashurama and awakening him. Convinced that only a Kshatriya could have borne such pain in silence and that Karna had therefore lied in order to receive instruction, he cursed Karna that his knowledge of the Brahmastra would fail him when he needed it most. Later, during the Kurukshetra war, Karna had a dream at night when he thought of his guru and asked him to take back the curse he had warranted years back. Parashurama explained that he knew that the day would come; he knew that Karna was a Kshatriya, but deemed him to be a worthy student and instructed him nevertheless. However, the outcome of the war would have left the world in ruins if Duryodhana were to rule, as opposed to Yudhishthira. For that reason, Parashurama requested that Karna accept the curse and fall at the hands of Arjuna, inadvertently saving the world.

Parashurama was the guru of Bhishma (Devavrata), Dronacharya and Karna.

Later life

In the later life of Parashurama, he gave up violence, became an ascetic and practiced penances, mainly on the Mahendra Mountains. The territories he received from the Kshatriyas he slew, were distributed among a clan of Brahmins called the Bhumihar. They ruled these lands for many centuries. The Kingdoms like the Cheras, Pandyas, Dravida, Mushika, Karnata and Konkana were among them. Parashurama also beat back the advancing sea to retrieve a stretch of coastal-area between the foothills of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, giving rise to the myth of Parashurama, saving a part of the land of Kerala from the sea. This had happened in Surparaka Kingdom (Coastal Area Maharasthra). Also it is said that from here the myth spread to Kerala, by migration. However, Kerala is also said to be given to Brahmin rulers. Dattatreya initiated Parasurama into Tantric worship and their conversations gave rise to Tripura-rahasya, a treatise on Advaita Vedanta. At last, Parasurama attained the liberation from the cycles of birth and death with the help of Guru Dattatreya.

The Sixth Avatara

The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to be to relieve the Earth's burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources, and neglected their duties as kings.

Parashurama is of a martial Shraman ascetic. However unlike all other avatars Parashurama still lives on earth, even today according to Hindu belief. Therefore unlike Rama and Krishna Parashurama is not worshipped. But in South India, at the holy place Pajaka near Udupi, there exists one major temple commemorating Parashurama.

Parshurama, the savior of the Konkan coast, is also worshipped in a temple at Parashurama, Chiplun in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district.The people of the Konkan call their land 'Parshurama Bhoomi' or the land of Parashurama in accordance with the legend that the sage reclaimed the land from the sea.

There are several Parashurama temples throughout the western coast of India as well as North India, but especially more in the costal areas from Bharuch(ancient name of Bharuch is Bhrugu Kutchchh) in the west Indian state of Gujarat right up to Kerala, the southern tip of India. One can see a Parashurama Temple with an Agni Mandir in Shivpuri - Akkalkot, Khopoli in Maharashtra and Fort Songadh in Gujarat.

A temple of Parashurama is also situated at Akhnoor, 18 km away from Jammu city, J&K. Every year, in the month of May, an enormous fete in the form of a parade, referred as Parshuram Jayanti, with hundreds of tableaux, thronged through the main city of Jammu. Local community leaders and followers arrange for the celebrations and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Kalki Purana

The Kalki Purana states Guru Parashurama will be the martial and spiritual guru of Sri Kalki, the 10th and final avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is he who instructs Kalki to perform a long penance to Shiva to receive celestial weaponry.

Temples

You find the temples of this First Family of true Social reformers Sage Jamdagni,Devi Renuka and Vishnu Avatara martial Saint ,protector of the weak,a Force perrenial-Chiranjeevi,meaning One who is Always Alive,all over India and in lands that had Indian ethos in the past.Jamlu devta of mystical secretive place of the past ,Malana kullu H.P,is Jamdagni Sage himself.You see temples of these three all over in far off tops of devbhoomi-land of Gods in himachal ,Kullu Valley.Trace a road to the source of River parvati or Beas which it meets,you will find grand wooden temples even today.TOSH at end of the road ahead of Ram temple town of Manikaran in kullu area,has a grand temple with carved wood icons of these Three.FRom Kashmir Sindh to Kutch kala dungar ,Saurashtra Girnar Rajasthan,jana pauv- Madhya Pradesh,Maharshtra Konkan and both coasts of India till LOHIT kund Pasighat Arunachal pradesh we see evidence of Parshuram and his family being worshiped.What more evidence does one want of the Nation that was One since time immemorial. In the Kanyakumari Temple in Kanyakumari town, Parashurama installed the Idol made of blue stone. Parashurama installed the idol of Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa) on the peak on the Sabarimala Hill in the forest. Parashurama trained Ayyappa just as he had trained Karna in the Mahabharata and is believed to train the future Kalki avatar.

He created a temple of worship right after he resurfaced parts of Coastal Kerala from the sea. He placed statues of various deities in 108 different places and is said to have introduced martial arts ("Kalari Payattu").

Also, while the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, Kollur is the only one devoted to Goddess Parvati.

There are "Seven Mukti Sthalas" of Karnataka, which were created by Parashurama and some of the above such as Kollur belong to them.

There is temple dedicated to Lord Parashurama in Khatti, near Phagwara in Punjab, India.

According to mythology Parashurama is a Chiranjeevi and still doing penance in Mahendragiri in Eastern Ghats.

There is a temple of Parashurama in Rajkot (Gujarat), India.

Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple, Thiruvallam,near Thiruvananthapuram is worships parasurama along with the trimoorthis. The temple is situated on the banks of the river Karamana, 6 km south of the city. This 2000 year old temple is the only temple in kerala dedicated to Sri Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala. It is believed to be the place where parasurama's axe fell in the Arabian sea to claim Kerala. Many pilgrims visit this temple for 'Balitharpanam' (homage to the departed souls), when they make offerings to their ancestors, after taking a dip in the holy river. There is also a belief that the great monk Adi Shakara made the 'Bali' for his mother at this place.

There is a temple of Parashurama in Harpur, Zamania, Ghazipur (Uttar Pradesh)

There is a temple of Parashurama in the village of Painguinim in Canacona, Goa.

Recently in 2010 a big statue of Bhagwan Parashurama is developed in Phalodi(Jodhpur-Rajasthan) near Shivsar Talao(POND).

Parashuram's janmsthali (birthplace) is said to be in Janapava (Indore), Madhya Pradesh.

There is a ''kunda'' in Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap District, where it is believed Prashuram washed his sins after committing matricide by the order of his father.

There is also a famous temple of muni (sage) Parashurama in Maniyar, Ballia (U.P)

There is a very old Parshuram Temple near Chiplun, Maharashtra called Parshuram Mandir in Parshuram Ghats. It is very beautiful place to visit in rainy season.

Temple in Jalalabad, Shahjahanpur

According to Indian mythology, Jalalabad, Shahjahanpur is known as birthplace of Lord Parashurama. His father Maharshi Jamadgni had his Ashram in this city where Parashurama was born. His birthplace is still called as "Renuka Kuti". Renuka was his mother. Hence some people also call Jalalabad as Parashurampuri (en. a city of lord Parashurama). Following two places are said to be related to Parashurama.

• Lord Parashurama Temple
• Maharshi Jamdagni Ashram

Parashurama Kshetras

Eight Kshetras are popularly known as Parashurama kshetras and a.k.a. 'Parashurama Srishti'.

"Eight Mukti Sthalas"

1. Konkan Maharashtra
2. Mangalore
3. Udupi
4. Subramanya
5. Kollur
6. Shankaranarayana
7. Koteshwara
8. Gokarna

Further Kshetra legend

There is a legend that in one of the kshetras a King called 'Ramabhoja worshipped Lord' Parashurama He was the ruler of the lands between Gokarna and Kanyakumari and was proclaimed king of the entire Parashurama Kshetra. Once he decided to perform the aswamedha yajna and plowed the land but mistakenly killed a serpent. However the serpent was a demon. To repent this sin King Rambhoja was directed by Lord Parashurama to build a big silver pedestal with the image of a serpent at each of its four corners and to worship Him who would be seated in spirit on the pedestal and also to distribute gold equal to his own weight (Tulabhara) to deserving persons. Rambhoja did likewise and performed the ashwamedha yajna successfully. At its conclusion Lord Parashurama appeared and declared that he was pleased with the Yajna and that henceforth the sacrificial land 'Roupya Peetha' (silver pedestal) ( present day Udupi ) would become a famous centre of pilgrimage. This land is also known as 'Thoulava' land and because Rambhoja performed 'Tulabhara'.

Reclamation of Konkan and Kerala coasts

Lord Parashurama with Saraswat Brahmin settlers commanding Lord Varuna to make the advancing seas recede to save the lands of Konkan and Kerala.

There is also the Panhala Fort founded by Raja Bhoja in the late 12th century which was used by Chhatrapati Shivaji and is said to be the only fort in which he stayed for 500 days. This fort is said to have a connection with Parashurama.

Konkan is the karmabhumi of Parashurama (the land founded by him), but very few people know about his janmabhumi (birthplace). there is one view that his birthplace was Mahoor gadh, which is at the border of Marathwada and Vidharbha in Maharastra. At Mahur on the left hand side of main Renuka Mata temple there is a temple which is believed to be Parashurama's birthplace. However there is also one belief that the birthplace of Lord Parashurama is Janapao or Jaana pau in present day Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian State. Parashurama had spent most of his childhood time in and around the Mandagni Parvath near Vajreshwari in Maharashtra. You can see a Bala Parashurama temple believed to be built by Bhima on the edge of the Mandagni Parvath.There is also a temple for Renuka devi and Sage Jamadagni.This makes us to believe that the birthplace of Lord Parashurama could be around this place.

See also

• Avatar
• Chiranjivins
• Haihayas
• Heheya Kingdom
• Kalachuri Kingdom
• Vishnu

References

• "Ramayashogatha" Book on Life of Bhagwan Parshuram (21 years of compilation) by M.S. alias Baburaoji Parkhe. Marathi (1975), Hindi (2008)
• परशुराम महागाथा शोध ग्रंथ by Dr D.R. Sharma
• Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
• Ramayana of Valmiki
• BhagwanParashurama: Jayant Potdar
• Parasuram Express Day train in Kerala
• Dr. Mehrotra N.C. Shahjahanpur Etihasik Evam Sanskritik Dharohar 1999 Pratiman Prakashan 30 Kucha Ray Ganga Prasad Allahabad 211003 Uttar Pradesh
• Parashurama Patrika- (Quarterly Magazine).

External links

108 Parashurama Kshetras