Saturday, July 6, 2019
Biography of Parashurama:
Parashurama, also known as Bhargava Rama, is one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. He is depicted as a warrior Brahmin with an axe, symbolizing his role as a warrior priest. Parashurama's story is a prominent part of the ancient Indian epics, including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Birth and Early Life:
Parashurama was born to the sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka. He was named Parashurama because of his proficiency in handling the parashu, a battle-axe gifted to his father by Lord Shiva. He was a devoted son and possessed great skills in various arts and warfare.
Parshuram's Revenge Against Kshatriyas:
One of the significant episodes in Parashurama's life involves his revenge against the Kshatriya (warrior) caste. His father, Jamadagni, was killed by a group of Kshatriyas, which led Parashurama on a mission to rid the world of corrupt and oppressive Kshatriya rulers. He waged a relentless war against them, cleansing the earth of their tyranny twenty-one times.
Guru of Warriors:
Parashurama is also known as the Guru of Warriors. He trained several famous warriors, imparting his martial arts and combat skills to them. Some of his notable disciples included Bhishma, Karna, and Dronacharya, who became key figures in the Mahabharata epic.
Parshuram's Role in the Ramayana:
Parashurama played a crucial role in the Ramayana, particularly in the episode where he challenges Lord Rama. According to the epic, Parashurama, unaware of Rama's divinity, becomes infuriated upon seeing Rama's bow-breaking feat (lifting and stringing Lord Shiva's divine bow, Pinaka) and challenges him. Parashurama's anger subsides when he realizes Rama's true identity as Lord Vishnu's avatar.
Immortality and Disappearance:
In some versions of the mythology, it is said that Parashurama still exists, living in meditation and penance in the mountains. He is considered immortal and is believed to reappear in the future in the next yuga (cycle of time) as the martial and spiritual instructor of Kalki, the future avatar of Vishnu.
Parashurama's story illustrates the concepts of duty, dharma, and the cyclical nature of time in Hindu philosophy. He is revered as a symbol of righteous wrath, discipline, and loyalty to his father's teachings.