Devtas

Parshurama

Other names- Parsurama, Parasurama, Parsuram, Parashuram, Parshuram

Parshurama was the fifth son of Sage Jamdagni. As Rishi Jamdagni belonged to the Bhrugu clan, Parshurama was also known as Bhargava. His mother was Renuka and he was devoted to both his parents.

He spent a long time in intense devotion and meditation, praying to Lord Shiva who bestowed him a “Parshu” as a boon. Although originally his name was Rama, he began to be called Parshurama thereafter.

Once his father Jamdagni was conducting a Yagna (fire-sacrifice) and asked his wife Renuka to fetch water for the sacrifice. She went to a pond in the Himalayas to fetch water but there she found a group of gandharvas and asparas (celestial beings), in dalliance, sporting playfully. So amazed was she at this sight, that she waited and watched for a while and forgot why she had come there.

Meanwhile Sage Jamdagni was waiting impatiently for the water. When Renuka did not return for a while, he used his yogic powers to locate her and found her tarrying. When at last, she returned with the water, enraged he ordered his eldest son to slay her. But the lad refused to do so. He then told the second son, the third and the fourth in turn. But they did not obey him in his tough command.

Just then Parshurama arrived at the spot. Jamdagni said to Parshurama, “Kill your mother!” Without a moment’s heSitation, Parshurama did as he was told and cut his mother’s head off. Jamdagni was happy to see his order obeyed. He said, “I am glad to see your devotion and filial duty to me. Ask me any boon and I shall grant it to you.”

Parshurama was aware of the celestial powers his father had and he asked him to restore his mother Renuka back to life but she should not remember that I had killed her. So it was and Renuka was restored to life by Jamdagni’s power.

Parshurama was equally devoted to his mother. Once Kartivirya Arjun wanted to steal the Kamdhenu (wish-fulfilling) cow owned by Jamdagni and killed him to do so. Renuka was beside herself with grief. She wept copiously, beating her breast again and again. Parshurama came there and saw her in grief. He noticed that she beat her breast twenty one times.

Enraged by his mother’s grief, he took a vow that he would rid the earth of all Kshatriyas (warrior caste) 21 times. So it was and he annihilated all Kshatriya warriors, including Kartivirya Arjun from the face of the earth. The only Kshatriyas who survived were the ones who were still in their mother’s womb and yet unborn.

The mighty and multifaceted Parshurama was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. When Rama broke the bow of Shiva at the Sita Swayamwar, there was a loud resounding sound that reverberated through the earth and heavens. Parshurama recognized the sound and was furious that bow of his beloved Shiva had been broken. With murder on his mind, he traced the location of that sound and reached Janakpuri. He did not know that Rama was in fact the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Livid with anger, he began to berate Rama for having dared to touch the bow of Shiva. His anger riled the quick-tempered Lakshman who could not bear the rude treatment to Rama and spoke excitedly to Parshurama.

But Rama, ever simple, polite and decorum personified did not lose his temper and remained calm and respectful. His demeanor made Parshurama realize that he was not dealing with an ordinary mortal. To test him however, he handed his own bow to Rama and asked him to try and string it. As soon as Rama touched the bow, it was instantly strung on its own accord. This made Parshurama realize that Rama was none other than an Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. He apologized to Rama. When Rama held the bow of Parshurama, all his extraordinary energy and aura flowed into Rama’s body.

Parshurama then requested Rama to bequeath him enough ‘tej’ (spiritual energy) to reach his home on Mahendra Mountain. Rama granted him his wish and bade farewell to him. Parshurama was a Chiranjeevi (who was ordained to live for ever). It is thus believed that to this day he is on Mount Mahendra seated in deep meditation posture. According to some Puranic stories, Parshurama is a part incarnation of Vishnu.