Title: PARASURAMA AVATARAM
1PARASURAMA AVATARAM
By Haarthi Sakthivel
2Parasurama avataram is the 6th avatar of the
Dasaavataara.
Lord Vishnu was born as BHARGAVA RAMA the
youngest of the five sons of Jamadagni and
Renuka.
BHARGAVA Rama though born as a Brahmin exhibited
Kshatriya traits and had a liking for weapons,
archery etc. Indeed, his favorite weapon was an
axe, which he got as a gift from Siva. Parasu
means Axe. Hence, he was called PARASU RAMA.
3KARTHAVEERYARJUNA, the ruler of HEHAYA was a
great king. He got boons from Datta AatrEya and
other deities to become invincible. Puffed with
ego due to the newfound powers acquired by him,
he became tyrannical and began tormenting every
one.
Once, when the Parasurama and his four brothers
had gone out, Karthaveeryaarjuna entered the
hermitage of Jamadagni and demanded food for
himself and his retinue.
With the help of Kaamadhenu, Jamadagni got food
prepared for the host of guests.
Karthaveerya knowing this, demanded Kaamadhenu.
But, Jamadagni would not part with it. The king
forcibly took away the cow and the calf.
When PARASU RAMA learnt of the incident, he
marched towards MAHISHMATI, the capital of the
king.
4 PARASURAMA destroyed the entire lot and then cut
off the thousand arms of Kaarthaveerya and killed
him with his axe.
Retrieving Kaamadhenu and her calf, he returned
to the hermitage
Kaarthaveerya's sons stormed the hermitage to
avenge the death of their father Only Jamadagni
and Renuka were there at that time.
Ignoring the pleadings of Renuka, they cut off
the head of Jamadagni who was deep in meditation
Renuka was beside with grief and was crying aloud
as PARASU RAMA returned.
PARASU RAMA vowed that he would wipe out 21
generations of Kshatriyas .
5PARASU RAMA carried out his vow, wrested the land
and properties of Kshatriyas.
Finally gave them away
to sage KASYAPA and retired to the southwest
corner of India.
When, Parasu Rama confronted Dasaratha who was
returning from Mithila after the wedding of Rama
and Sita, RAMA the AVATAR took back all the
powers of PARASURAMA since the purpose of
PARASURAMA AVATAR was completed
Parasurama threw his axe into the western ocean.
The ocean receded upto the point where the axe
fell and the land so reclaimed is known as
Parasurama Kshetram. Scholars say that modern
Kerala is this Kshetram.
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7This 2000 year old temple on the bank of river
Karamana, is the only one in Kerala dedicated to
Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of
Kerala.This temple is a venue for ancestor
worship.
8This Avatar is not a direct Avatar. Lord Vishnu
entered the soul of a Brahmin son of Jamadagni
(By Avesa or Anupravesa). Of the 10 Avatars,
except Parasurama avatar all the others are Amsa
avatars (i.e.) Direct descent of Lord Vishnu
9THE END