Introduction
The mythology of our Hindu Religion is considered to be one of the oldest myths of the world. Staring from Satya Yuga till Kal Yuga, everything and everyone is dipped in the colours of tales of India. The legends of Parshurama are very well known for his truth, anger and repentance. He was present in both the Yugas, Treta Yuga in Ramayana and Dwapar Yuga in Mahabharata.
अग्रत: चतुरो वेदा: पृष्ठत: सशरं धनु:, इदं ब्राह्मं इदं क्षात्रं शापादपि शरादपि ॥
Bhagwaan Parshurama
One such legend from mythology is Bhagwaan Parshurama, the known 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver. According to our saints and pandits, Parshurama is one of the immortals to live a very long life, said to be Cheeranjeevi. His name, in sanskrit “Parshuram”, means Rama with Parshu (Axe). It’s believed that he will again appear at the end of Kal Yuga when the 10th incarnation, among the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu, Kalki will come to restart the human cycle as his teacher, guru. He was well known for his aggressive behaviour, but at the same time for his patience and serenity as well.
As a boon, he was born in the family of Rishis, parents to be Rishi Jamadagini and Kshatriya Rani, Mata Renuka. He was incarnated to destroy the evilness that was spread during that time on the earth and hampering the humanity. The Kshatriyas, one of the caste at that time who was known for their power and weapons, begun to abusively harm weak humans and created a scenario of afraid. Parshurama began to establish an equilibrium balance between lower and upper caste people by killing Kshatriyas almost 21 times.
He was known to be the gurus of the 3 most powerful and unconquered warriors of that time, Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Karna. All 3 of them were known as Parshu Shishya. They were known for their power and patience, however, Karna was given a sin by him as he took education under a lie to be a Brahmana. He married to Dharini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi. Dharini is said to be mother earth, the one who holds all the sins and pure things. That’s why Lord Parshurama is said as Dharinipati, the one who saves and protects her.
Legends on Bhagwaan Parshurama
There are, however, various legends and stories related to Lord Parshurama that gives a proof and fact about his aggression and patience.
1. One such is about Kshatriya King, Kartavirya Arjuna.
- Born to a family of Rishis, Parshurama was also a Brahmin. His birthplace, as believed by saints, lies in the Janapav Hills of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. A Shiva Temple, there on top of hill, embarks his presence engraved on its stones. Everyday he used to come there to worship Lord Shiva. Beside the temple, there’s an ashram, Jamadagini Ashram, that is still in life and working with a pond (Kund). They had a Magical Celestial Cow, Surabhi (daughter of Kamdhenu), who was known to fulfil all their desires.
- A kshatriya king, Kartavirya Arjuna, also known as ShahastraBahu, which means a man with thousand arms, came to know about the cow. He came to ask for it but sage refused to give the cow. Being aggressive and angry, he took it forcefully hurting Rishi Jamadagini. Parshurama, when learnt about the incident, challenged the king to have a fight with him in order to take the cow.
- The fight between king and Bhagwaan Parshurama started and at last Parshurama defeated an killed the king by his hatchet. When he came back with cow, he learnt that the king’s son killed his sage father as a revenge. With his hatchet he finished all king’s son and challengers who came in his path.
This rooted an ancient conflict between Brahmins, the one with Knowledge, and Kshatriyas, the one with weapon.
2. Another is about his obeisance towards his Jamadagini.
- Rishi Jamadagini, in order to test Parshurama’s obedience, order him to kill his mother. Keeping the order on head, Parshurama killed his mother by cutting her head from body by his axe. He was also order to kill his 4 brothers. He did that too. Being happy, his father asked him to ask for a boon. He requested his father to bring his mother and brothers back to life.
- They were brought back to life but Bhagwaan Parshurama fell in deep grief of sorrow. He went to a pond to wash all his sins which he did by killing kshatriyas because a Brahmin never kills anyone. This pond came to be known as Parshurama Kund. It’s located in Eastern part of India, in Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh.
- He also started cleaning his axe but was unable to do so. He then went to the western coastal where he threw his axe into the sea. Being so heavy and full of sin bloods of kshatriyas, sea lifted it up with part of land, today is known to be the Konkan coasts. It has a temple dedicated to Mata Renuka, and Parshurama.
Bhagwaan Parshurama Jayanti
Bhagwaan Parshurama is worshipped in all parts of India, majorly in southern parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. But, according to our Hindu Calendar of festivals we have a special day for Lord Parshurama. This day is known as Bhagwaan Parshurama Jayanti.
- As per Hindu Calendar, Hindu Panchang, Parshurama stepped on earth on 3rd day of Vaishakh Month of Shukla Paksh, that is 3rd day of harvesting month. Every year the date and month changes as per our calendar. But the Time called as Thithi remains same. This day is also known to be celebrated as Akshay Tritiya, since it’s 3rd day of the Hindu month.
- As Parshurama was born on this day, he was called Akshay Rama also because all his works were fulfilled and never failed. Bhagwaan Parshurama Jayanti is celebrated on this day only every year with lots of joy and happiness.
- There are various beliefs in different Puranas and Vedas. According to Varaha Purana, keeping fast and worshipping Bhagwaan Parshurama can bring us lots of prosperity and success. On this day various Riots are planned in the name of Lord Parshurama, what is called as Shobhayatras. Brahmins and Believers get engaged in this Yatras to show their devotion towards Bhagwaan Parshurama.
- Bhagwaan Parshurama Jayanti not only embarks the birthday of Parshurama, but also says about his history that how he finished all the Kshatriya Warriors who were abusing humanity and mother earth. On this day, every temple of Bhagwaan Parshurama is decorated and various Yagyas and Pujas are organised to make him happy and grant his blessings on us.
This year in 2021, it is to be celebrated on 14th May 2021. This day is also celebrated as Akshay Tritiya. Along with this, this day is going to be known as Taurus Sankranti, as Sun is entering Taurus.
Temples dedicated to Bhagwaan Parshurama
There are various temples in India that are devoted to Bhagwaan Parshurama. Each of them have their own beliefs and practices to worship Bhagwaan Parshurama.
Some of them are:
- Parshurama Mandir, Attilara, Andhra Pradesh
- Akhoor, Jammu and Kashmir
- Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan
- Mahugarh, Maharashtra
- Janapav Hill, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Chaturbhuji Parshurama Temple, Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
- Parshurama Temple, Chiplun, Maharashtra- Goa Highway.
Conclusion
We are loosing our culture and traditions with our business in life. Though we have became modern and technical, yet we are very far from our religion and spirituality. Our Mythological Historic tales are one of the oldest forms of them since the staring of universe. But on the other hand there are some schools and institutions which have made mythological subjects as an important part of their curriculum.
Teachers and Parents are first one to indulge their children into the learnings of mythology and their values. Various sage schools are also opened in various parts of world where students are made close to understand their culture and religion and have a feeling of spirituality for every religion. Knowing about Bhagwaan Parshurama and his doings will bring a seat of patience and serenity in children. Since the ages of Ramayana to Mahabharata, every incidents are stem of the incidents from roots of Guru Parshurama’s life.
When Lord Rama broke the ideal Shiva Dhanush, Bhagwaan Parshurama appeared in front of him. Lord Rama, with a soft tone said:
नाथ संभुधनु भंजनिहारा, होइही केउ एक दास तुम्हारा।
आयशु काह कहिअ किन मोहिं, सुनि रिसाइ बोले मुनि कोही।।
Also Read: 51 Shaktipeethas of Mata Sati.
Contact Author: Nikhil Nivedan Vatsa.
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