God saw that the present Kshatriyas had become tyrannical. That’s why he made the earth devoid of Kshatriyas twenty-one times by appearing in the form of lord Parshuram. Even though the Kshatriyas had committed only a little crime against them, still they were becoming very wicked, non-devotees of the Brahmins. This was the reason that they had become the burden of the earth and as a result of this, Lord Parashuram removed the burden of the earth by destroying them.
The story of Birth
Gadhi’s daughter’s name was Satyavati. Rishi Richik asked Gadhi for his daughter. Gadhi, understanding that this was not a suitable husband for the girl, said to Richik ‘ We are of the Kushitic dynasty. Our daughter is hard to find. Therefore bring me a thousand horses whose whole body is white but whose ears are black. When Gadhi said this, the sage Richika understood what he meant and went to Varuna and he brought the horses and gave them away and married the beautiful Satyavati.
Once, both his wife and mother-in-law prayed to Maharishi Richik for the birth of a son. Maharishi Richik accepted their prayer and cooked Charu for both of them with different mantras and went to take bath. Understanding that the sage must have cooked the best charu for his wife, Satyavati asked him for that charu. On this, Satyavati gave her charu to her mother and she herself ate her charu.
When Richik Muni came to know about this, he said to his wife Satyavati, ‘You have done a big disaster. Now your son will be of a harsh nature who punishes people and your brother will be a great saint. Satyavati pleased Richik Muni and prayed that this should not happen. Then he said- ‘ok. Instead of your son, your grandson will be like him (of severe nature). In time, Jamadagni was born from Satyavati’s womb.Renuka was the daughter of Renu Rishi. Jamdagni accepted his marriage.Renuka and Rishi Jamdagni had many sons like Vasuman etc. Parashuramji was the youngest among them.
Why he repeatedly massacred the lineage of Kshatriyas?
Arjun was the ruler in those days. He, a great Kshatriya, pleased Lord Dattatreya by performing various types of services and received the boon of having a thousand arms and being able to defeat any enemy in battle. Along with this, he also got unlimited strength, immense wealth, brilliance, fame and physical strength by his grace.
Once the thousand-armed Arjuna, wearing a garland around his neck, was swimming in the Narmada river with many beautiful women. That drunken thousand-armed man made the river flow from his arms. Dashmukh Ravana’s camp was also nearby. The river’s current started flowing reverse, his camp started sinking. Ravana considered himself very brave, that is why he could not bear what Sahastrarjun did. When Ravana went to Arjun and started abusing him, he playfully caught Ravana in front of the women and took him to his capital Mahishmati and imprisoned him like a monkey. Later, on the advice of Pulastya muni, Sahastrabahu arjun left Ravana.
When arjun stolen Kamdhenu
One day, the thousand-armed Arjuna had gone out into the dense forest to hunt. By God’s will he reached the ashram of sage Jamdagni. Kamdhenu lived in the ashram of the supreme ascetic Jamadagni. Due to his majesty, he welcomed Haihyadhipati along with his army, ministers and vehicles. Brave Haihyadhipati saw that Jamdagni Muni’s opulence was greater than even me. Therefore, without paying any respect to their hospitality, he wanted to take Kamdhenu only who came to earth during Samudra Manthan. Out of pride he asked sage Jamadagni to give Kamdhenu to him to that jamdagni denied his request.
He ordered his servants to take away Kamdhenu. On his orders, his servants forcefully took Kamadhenu to Mahishmati Puri along with the calf. When they all left, Parshuramji came to the ashram and hearing the story of his wickedness, he became furious with anger like a wounded snake. They took their fierce axe, quiver, shield and bow and ran after him with great speed – like an irresistible lion pounces on an elephant.
Killing of Thousand armed Arjun
Thousand-armed Arjun was just entering his city when he saw Parashuram rushing towards him with great speed. He had a very unique tableau. He was holding a bow, arrow and an axe in his hands, was wearing black deer skin on his body and his face was shining like the rays of the sun. As soon as he saw them, he sent a very fearsome seventeen Akshauhini army equipped with weapons and elephants, horses, chariots and footmen. Lord Parashurama single-handedly destroyed that entire army.
The movement of Lord Parshuram was like that of mind and air. They just kept cutting down the enemy’s army. Wherever he struck with his axe, the arms, thighs and shoulders of great warriors along with their charioteers and vehicles were cut off and fell on the earth. When Arjun saw that the soldiers of my army, their bows, flags and shields had been cut to pieces by Lord Parashurama’s axe and arrows and fell on the blood-soaked battlefield, he became very angry and came forward to fight himself.
But Parashuram very quickly cut off his saw-like arms with his sharp axe. After his arms were cut off, they cut off his head, high as a mountain peak. After the death of his father, his ten thousand sons ran away in fear.
When Parshuram went on Pilgrimage
Parshuram returned Kamdhenu along with the calf. He was feeling very sad. He brought her to his ashram and handed her over to his father. And in Mahishmati, Sahastrabahu narrated to his father and brothers everything he had done. After hearing everything, Jamadagni Muni said- Parashuram! You committed a big sin. You are very brave; But you killed the most divine Nardev in vain.
Son ! We are Brahmins. It is only because of the influence of forgiveness that we have become worshipable in the world. What’s more, everyone’s grandfather Brahmaji has also attained Brahmapada by the power of forgiveness.The glory of Brahmins shines like the radiance of the sun only through forgiveness. Almighty Lord Shri Hari also becomes happy only on those who forgive. Son . The killing of the Sovereign King is greater than the killing of a Brahmin. Go, remember God and wash away your sins by visiting holy places.Lord Parashurama accepted this teaching of his father. After this, he returned to his ashram after going on pilgrimage for a year.
When Parshuram killed his mother
Parshuram’s mother Renuka had gone to the banks of Ganga. There he saw that Gandharva king Chitrarath was walking with the nymphs wearing a garland of lotus. She had gone to the river bank to fetch water, but started watching Gandharva doing water sports there and forgot that it was time for her husband’s havan. His mind was somewhat drawn towards Chitrarath.
Knowing that the time for Havan had passed, she got scared of the curse of Maharishi Jamadagni and immediately came to the ashram from there. There she placed the pot of water in front of Maharishi and stood with folded hands.Jamdagni Muni came to know about his wife’s mental adultery and said in anger – ‘My sons! Kill this sinner.’ But none of his sons accepted his order.
After this, on the orders of his father, Parshuram killed all the brothers along with his mother. The reason for this was that he knew very well the effect of his father’s yoga and penance. Jamdagni was very pleased with this work of Parshuram and he said – ‘Son! Whatever you wish, ask for a boon. Parshuram said- ‘Father! May my mother and all my brothers be alive and they may not remember that I had killed them.everyone sat up safely without any effort.as if they were sleeping
When Jamdagini got killed
The sons of the thousand-armed Arjuna, who had fled after being defeated by Parashuram, were constantly reminded of their father’s murder. One day, Parashuram had gone out of the ashram towards the forest with his brothers. Taking this opportunity, Sahasrabahu’s sons reached there to enmity. At that time, Maharishi Jamdagni was sitting in the fire chamber and was engrossed in the contemplation of the holy Lord with all his senses.
At the same time those sinners killed sage Jamdagni. Parshuram’s mother Renuka was praying to him very humbly, but they all did not listen to her. They forcefully took away Maharishi Jamadagni by beheading him. In fact, those lowly Kshatriyas were very cruel. Sati Renuka became overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. She started crying loudly, beating her chest and head with her hands – Parshuram, heard this pitiful cry. He came to the ashram very quickly and there he saw that his father had been killed. At that time Parashuram felt very sad. At the same time, he became extremely fascinated by the intensity of anger, intolerance, mental pain and grief.
God saw that the present Kshatriyas had become tyrannical. That’s why he made the earth devoid of Kshatriyas twenty-one times by using his father’s murder as an instrument and created five such ponds in the Samanta Panchaka of Kurukshetra, which were filled with the water of blood. Parshuram brought his father’s head and attached it to his torso and through yagya, he offered prayers to God, who is the embodiment of all gods.
Maharishi Jamadagni attained the body of resolution in the form of memory. He was honoured by Parasuram and became the seventh sage in the circle of seven sages. He still resides on Mount Mahendra with a calm mind without punishing anyone. There the Siddhas, Gandharvas and Charanas keep singing His character in sweet voices.
