Lord Parashuram-The warrior sage

Lord Parashuram, the warrior sage.

Lord Parashuram was the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Parashuram was a revolutionary Brahmin sage who exhibited the qualities of a Brahmin as well as a Kshatriya. Parashuram was the grandson of Bhrugu Rishi. Bhrugu’s son Rucheek married Satyavati. Satyavati approached Bhrugu for a boon. As per that, she asked a child for herself and her mother. Satyavati was married to a Brahmin but her mother was married to a Kshatriya. As per that their sons would have the respective qualities of Brahmin and Kshatriya. But Satyavati followed rituals of her mother and her mother followed the rituals of Satyavati. This led to confusion. Satyavati pleaded with Bhrugu Rishi and asked her that this shouldn’t affect her son (Jamadagni), but would affect her grandson (Parashuram). Jamadagni had the qualities of Brahmin. Jamadagni married Renuka and they had four children’s. Their last child was Parashuram. When Kshatriya’s grew adamant, Mother Earth approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu descended to Earth as Parashuram.

Parashuram was believed to be an Avesha Avatar. It is believed that after fulfilling the purpose of Avatars, Lord Vishnu left the body of Parashuram and Parashuram lived as a normal human being thereafter. Parashuram was highly dedicated to his parents and extremely obedient. His courage, warfare tactics, valor denoted his character as Kshatriya. He knew the Vedas and underwent extreme penance to get various boons. Though He was an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu never exhibited his true powers, but instead lived a simple, ascetic life and set an example for the humans. If there is something good in anything, it should be followed and accepted. Let it be Christianity or Islam.


Lord Parashuram, a brahmin, an ascetic, a sage.

Jamadagni prayed to Lord Brahma and got a boon. Since he was living in poverty, he asked Brahma to grant food. Lord Brahma gave a cow called “Kamadhenu” which would give unlimited food and dish. Meanwhile, Parashuram underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva presented him an axe, “Parashu”. His name was Ram, but since then he became to be known as Parashuram, The Ram with Axe. Once King Kartivir Arjuna visited Parashuram’s ashram. He is believed to have 1000 hands. Jamadagni fed the entire army and the King with the help of the cow. Kartivir Arjuna was a greedy person and he demanded Jamadagni to give the cow in exchange for gold. Jamadagni refused as the cow was presented to him by Brahma himself. Kartivir Arjuna forcibly took the cow and devastated the Ashram. Parashuram was away from the Ashram at this time. When he returned and saw the mess, he grew extremely angry. Parashuram went to the kingdom and killed Kartivir Arjuna and his thousand hands and retrieved the cow.

Once Parashuram’s mother Renuka went to the pond for a bath. At that time, she saw a handsome youth. Though she was married, she desired for the youth. Jamadagni came to know of this and got extremely furious. He commanded his elder sons to behead their mom for having lost her purity of thoughts. The sons refused as it was their mother. In the end, Jamadagni asked Parashuram to kill all his brothers and his mother. Without any second thought, Parashuram obeyed his father’s orders and killed them. Jamadagni was extremely pleased with his son’s dedication and asked him what he wants in favour. Parashuram asked the lives of his brothers and his mothers. Jamadagni was amazed at Parashuram’s dedication and love for his siblings and parents. He granted his wish and Parashuram got his brothers and mother back alive.


A portrait of Parashuram.

Meanwhile, the sons of Kartivir Arjuna were plotting revenge. Though Parashuram was their target, they wanted to kill Jamadagni, his father and make Parashuram realize the pain of being without his father. Since Parashuram had killed Kartivir Arjuna, a king he has done a sin. So he went on a pilgrimage to cleanse his sins. When he returned back he saw that his father has been killed by the evil Kshatriyas. His mother hit her chest 21 times and explained what had happened. This enraged Parashuram so much that he destroyed 21 generations of Kshatriyas and wiped out all evil monarchs and replaced righteousness and Dharma. Parashuram dedicated his entire life for the safety of Brahmins and sages fighting against all evil Kings. Parashuram was a brahmachari, an ascetic and a Chiranjeevin.

Parashuram is a popular God in Kerala. It is believed that he fought the advancing waters and saved the land, which is now called as Kerala. Parashuram built many temples dedicated to various Gods, Goddess and restored spiritual interests amongst people.


Parashuram.

Parashuram in Epics

Ramayana

Parashuram was a devotee of Shiva. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Ram in a Kshatriya family. He was to marry Sita. During the betrothal ceremony the suitors were to lift the bow and string it. Only Lord Ram was able to do it and in the process broke the bow into two producing a tremendous noise which reached the ears of Parashuram. Parashuram arrived at the scene. Vasishta Brahmarishi requested the Kshatriyas not to confront the sage. But Sita Devi approached the sage and seeked his blessings. Parashuram blessed her by saying, “Sow Bhagyavathi”. Then he turned towards Ram. He instantly recognized Ram as an avatar of Lord Vishnu and his superior. He couldn’t fight with Ram as he has just blessed Sita Devi.





Mahabharatha

Parashuram hated the Kshatriyas. He taught warfare only to Brahmins and not to Kshatriyas. For the sake of Duryodhana, Karna disguised himself as a Brahmin and learnt warfare and even to handle the greatest weapon the Brahmastara. Once Parashuram was sleeping on Karnan’s lap. At that time, a bee stung Karna. Karna didn’t move fearing that it might disturb his teacher’s sleep, so he withstood the pain. The blood came oozing out and the wetness of blood awoke Parashuram. Parashuram was shocked to see the blood. He inquired about the incident. Parashuram felt that only a Kshatriya could have withstood such a great pain and felt that Karnan could be Kshatriya. Karnan accepted the truth and apologized. Parashuram cursed Karnan saying that Brahmastara weapon would never be useful to him when it matters the most! Later on, Karnan is killed by Arjuna under the guidance of Lord Krishna who is none other Vishnu himself.

Of all avatars, Lord Krishna and Ram are the most popular ones. But there is a meaning in each and every other avatar too. Bhagwan Vishnu’s kindness, love for his devotees is felt when he comes to help his devotees in times of need and danger. Parashuram avatar has impressed me for many reasons. Parushuram’s love and affection for his parents, his courage, valour and warfare despite being a Brahmin has impressed me. Generally, Brahmins are highly noted for softness, innocence. As a result of which they are also often ridiculed for their rituals and practices. At one point it is said that Brahmins discriminated people and lower caste people by not allowing them into their houses and temples. Maybe true! A few people would have behaved like that. It is wrong. But is it right to ransack Agraharam and their houses and loot their property? Raping young Brahmin girls, women, cutting the hairs of Brahmins and their sacred thread? I believe there is a difference between humans and animals.

One of my friend told that there was a book published with the title, “Towards a No-Brahmin Millennium”. Just think if there was a book released in the name of “Towards a Non-Islamic Millennium”, just think what would have happened. Brahmins are so helpless that they are afraid even to fight for their basic rights. It’s not that a Religion is bad and other is good. Religions are a path to attain salvation. There are a few things in this world which cannot be reasoned and explained like how teachers teach pupils. Few things should be learnt through self-realization.

There has been a lot of criticism on the sacred thread the Brahmins use to wear after their Upanayanam. Each Religion has got its own principles and each set of people deserve some degree of freedom. Generally, everyone views India as a traditional Hindu country. But I view India as a land belonging to all people and all religions. India’s fate is to be diverse and unified and that it would be so with the blessings of God. There are even Muslims, Christians and Parsis living in India. That’s a good sign. As I told earlier, every Religion has got its own principles. India belongs to all Religions and everyone. The preamble of India defines India as a secular, socialist, sovereign, democratic Republic.

In Islam, circumcision is practiced in which during the neonatal period foreskin of the penis is removed. My view is that it should be painful. But that’s what Islam says. It is against Human Rights violations in one point of view as generally it is performed on a minor. As per Indian law, only a person above the age of 18 is considered is a major and can be independent. What does the Union Government have to say on this practice done on minors? But did anyone dare to raise that question?

While I was walking down the streets of Adyar there was a CD shop. I went into it and purchased a few classic comedies of Vivek and Goudamani. I was shocked to see porn VCD’s available and a boy aged 15 was purchasing at least 5 of them. 15 year old is a minor. He is having free access to pornography in this traditional country. The girls acting in such porn movies are below the age of 18 and they are forced to act by giving sedations, tablets. Most movies are taken without their consent. If Government has got time to give Royal permits to such shops, why can’t they permit Brahmins to wear a simple thread and a kudimi (sikam)?

During the days of British Raj and after Independence, Brahmins generally took up posts as Priests and clerks in Government offices. Due to reservations/quotas, generally Brahmins were never allowed to climb the ladder in their career. Most of them took up Bank jobs doing CA, PUC. After sometime, they were slowly removed even from temple duties. All temple in charges appointed in all main temples in Tamilnadu are not Brahmins. Tamilnadu is the only state in the entire Republic of India in which the State Government has taken drastic actions on a community which is widely accepted for temple duties.

There has been a lot of criticism on Lord Ram, mythological stories; religious practice where a common lay man demands an explanation on the Engineering Degree of Lord Ram. In Mathematics, there is a concept called Axiom. It is statement which is not proven conclusively but it is believed to be self-evident and serves as a starting point for deducing and inferring other units. In Mathematics there is also a concept called Theorem which requires proofs and illustrations. Theorems are created by humans, Axioms are never created as they exist and they will continue to exist in life. They need to be discovered and not invented like Theorems! Axioms and Theorems constitute Geometry. Likewise, religious practices and rituals are like Theorems. Few needs to be proved and few are self-proven like Axioms and they can be understood only through self-realization. There are basic Axioms of life which serves as a base for Religions (Theorems). Love, non-violence, care, respect, understanding, patience are the basic Axioms of life. All theorems (Religions) are written on the above aspects. These constitute life. This is the Geometry of life. People might wonder why the need for Theorems (Religions) when Axioms (Love, respect) hold well? The answer comes here: Life is not a straight line and few problems can be solved only through with the help of Theorems.

India is destined to live as a Union of Religions, cultures, and traditions. India deserves a first world status for its unique lifestyle and people. There would be Churches for Christians, Mosques for Islam, Temples for Hindu’s, Fire-temples for Parsis. There is no pride in living as a separate state, but the real achievement is to live as a Union. All men, women and children are to be treated equal. There would be no abuse, human rights violations, rapes, forced prostitution, theft or robbery. After all, we are all humans and towards the end of the day, we should say to ourselves, “We did something good to someone” or at least we should say, “I am happy that I didn’t harm anyone today”. Living in India is all about accepting the similarities and respecting the differences.

-Krishna Kumar.S