Parshuramavtaar

Bhagwaan Parshuram

अग्रत: चतुरो वेदा: पृष्‍ठत: सशरं धनु: ।
इदं ब्राह्मं इदं क्षात्रं शापादपि शरादपि ।। Meaning : Parshuram who is well-versed with the four Vedas and sports the bow and arrow upon his back, that is the one who has the radiance of both the Brahman and the Kshatriya, will destroy the evil doers either with a curse or with an arrow.

Today is the day when Bhagwaan Parshuram was born to Maharshi Jamdagni and Mother Renuka. The fifth child to the couple but the most loved and adored one.

Parshuram is said to be famous for his wrath towards the Kshatriyas and is said to have made Mother Earth free from Kshatriyas 21 times. Yes 21 times seems an exaggeration, but history tell us that He did kill 21 kshatriya kings of His time, who did not believe in the authority of the Vedas, or rather we should say that those who believed that they can fend for themselves and they cannot be questioned.

There is also a story behind Parshuram’s birth, about why did He have the qualities of a Kshatriya though born a Brahmin, but I leave it to some other time. Also there is a folklore about Him beheading His own mother on the orders of His father. I will leave it for some other day too. Am making a mention to these events of His life, as people are generally aware about these events and have genuine questions about them.

One more intriguing fact about His life is how much He lived! As He is read about in the Ramayan and Mahabharat too. And did He really exist during the ages of Ram and Krishna? Will write about it as and when He permits me to.

Today will talk about His cultural work. The extensive work that He has done to lead the humans living an animal life, to a human life. After being asked to go away by his Guru (teacher), Kashyap, He walked all His way, to what we call the Konkan region, today. The region lies between the Sahyadri mountain ranges and the Arabian Sea. It was an area inhabited by people who led an uncivilized life.

Parshuram lived amongst these people and taught them, the humane ways of living, thinking and worshipping. He moved amongst them. He loved them. He cared for them. He answered each an every small question they had. He made them change their ways of living towards a more civilised and cultured life.

It is believed that when Parshuram came to this region, He established a place to work from, known as Gokarn, which some say, is present day Goa. But one thing is for sure, that He did come here, stay her and establish the rule of Dharma in this region. Hence, this region is befittingly called the “Parshuram Kshetra” (the land of Parshuram).

Along with Parshuram, came many Brahmins from the Trihotra area and settled down with Him. They assisted Him in his work and their lineage still exists called the “Chitpavan” Brahmins. Chitpavan means the ones whose minds are pure. There is also one more meaning to the word which means “pure from the pyre”. They are believed to have risen from the ashes of the pyre which took Parshuram to His final destination.

On this day of His birth, we not only bow down to the Great Parshuram but also need to acknowledge the work He has done to uplift humanity.

We bow down to Bhagwaan Parshuram, the killer of evil and the protector of goodness.