Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V (a), In epic Mahabharata

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V (a), In epic Mahabharata

Did you know that Parashurama a chiranjeevi, who was so far spanned three aeons, had many desxciples during the Dwapara Yuga in the epic Mahabharata times when he trained in warfare his iconic desciples starting with Bhishma, Drona and Karna?  

Parashurama had after his encounter with Rama of Ayodhya, and following his surrender of his divine avatara powers to Rama, following the lifting and stringing and relesing of the arrow of the Vishnu dhanus by Rama, moved to Mahendra mountain for penance. His pitrurdevatas advised him only to do Tapas after a taking a holy dip in the Vadoosara River which restored his lustre; to take a dip at special spot in the river called Deeptoda. He did just that and thus regained his divine body. 

The Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata period of the Dwapara Yuga, contacted Parashurama's desciple Akritavrana, after litening to Parashurama's esxploits learned that they could meet him on the fourteenth and the eighth day of the lunar course. Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, also learnt that they would see Parashurama in the forest dwelling clad in a sable deerskin, and wearing his hair in the form of a matted mass." 

Lord Krishna of the Yadava dynasty, the 8th avatara of Vishnu and who was integral to the story of Mahabharata, had met Parashurama who visited the hermitage of Sage Sandipani; Sandipani was the guru of Krishna and Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna ,also an avatara. Lord Krishna attended and served him. After that Lord Krishna sought his blessings. As Lord Krishna was the Supreme Lord himself, he said that what blessing could he gave to him. Therefore he gave him the Sudarshana Chakra that is the ultimate weapon.

Bhishma, the eldest of the Kuru dynsaty, had been named Devavrata by his mother Ganga, and she had taken him to different loka (realms), where he was brought up and trained by many eminent sages. She had also met Parashurama and requested him to train her son in all aspects of warfare. Then, Parashurama had just made Bhishma a great archer and a warrior who fought in the epic Mahabharata war. Bhishma, however, later gets broiled in a fight with Parashurama. Bhishma was greatly indebted to his Guru. Bhishma had named his guru Parashurama as one of the Saptharishis.  

Amba, the eldest and most beautiful daughter of Kashya, the King of Kashi, and the sister of Ambika and Ambalikaa, who was ditched by Bhishma in the svayamvara at the Kingdom of Kashi, relentlessley pursued Bhishma to marry her after Shelya, the main suitor had refused to marry her, but she had failed in all her attrempts. Then, she met Parashurama thinking as Guru of Bhishma he could persuade him to marry her.

 To help Amba, Parasurama went to Kurukshetra and sent a message to Bhishma to meet him. Bhishma arrived at the place and offered his service to his teacher. Wanting to solve the tricky situation, Parashurama ordered him to marry Amba, telling him that it was his duty. However, Bhishma denied it, reminding him about his vow of celibacy. This enraged Parashurama and he threatened Bhishma with death. Bhishma tried to calm him but it failed. An intense battle began with both protecting their words. They fought for twenty-three days, each using celestial weapons. Bhishma came to the war wearing armour on his mighty car (ratha). He also demanded Parashuram to mount on a car but Parashuram said that Earth is like his car and Vedas are like good horses that carry him. So they both faught on the ground. Ganga tried to stop them but was unsuccessful. On the twenty-fourth day of battle, Bhishma attempted to use the Prashwapatastra against Parashurama, but the divine sage Narada and the gods intervened and showed their concern over the use of powerful weapons which could destroy the world. Parashurama ended the conflict and the battle was declared a stalemate. Parasurma took leave of Amba admitting his inability to help her.

Dronacharya or Drona, who was also studying in his father's ashram in Mahendra mountain. sought the blessings of Parashurama and urged him to take him as his disciple to teach him archery and lots of other things related to warfare, Droṇacharya, the royal preceptor of the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata, had heard that the invincible Brahmana-warrior Parashurama was retiring to the forest after his encounter with Rama of Ayodhya, and was gifting away all his possessions in charity. However, by the time he was approached by Drona, Parasurama only had his weapons left to give away. He offered to give Droṇa the weapons as well as the knowledge of how to use them. This is how Droṇa obtained the greatest weapons in his possession. Parashurama had imparted knowledge of celestial weapons to Drona along with the mantra of invocation and withdrawal of weapons. He had a huge range of weapons like Brahmastra, Brahmashira, Narayanastra, Rudra, Agneya, Vajra etc. Drona particuarly obtaining from Parashurarama, the most exalted of all weapons called the Brahmastra weapon, became exceedingly glad and acquired a decided superiority over all men. Thus, Drona was also nicknamed Parshuramashishya (परशुरामशिष्य).

To be continued in the next episode titled : "Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V (b), Training Karna In epic Mahabharata.

Narasipur Char 

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part VI, retirement home in Westcoast of India

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part VI, retirement home in Westcoast of India

Did you know that Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, who has lived on from Treta Yuga to the present Kaliyuga, has reportedly settled down in many places in South India of which the Parashurama Kshetra in the areas demarcated by the Indian state of Kerala retrived from the Arabian Sea in one.?

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, born in early Treta Yuga to sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka, as the sixth avatara of Lord Vishnu, is the divine and fiery man carrying his weapon Parashu, the primitive tool of the man in woods. He fullfilled the assigned role of eliminating most of the evil and despotic Kashatriya rulers of the land; He single handedly corrected the cosmic equilibrium by destroying the Kshatriya warriors twenty-one times. There is also a myth of extermination of kashatriyas by Brahamnical class or priestly caste which has been mythcalised to the legendary invasion of India from Egypt, under leadership of Sesostris or Parasurma, the leader with the battle axe.

Much sobered and detached in the later part of the Treta Yuga itself Parashurama encountered his succesor avatara of Rama of Ayodhya and handed over his divine powers to him. He then continued to live on in Dwapara Yuga and tutoring in warfare the heroes such as Bhishma Pitamaha, Dronacharya, Karna and many others related to the epic Mahabharata events. He entered into the Kaliyuga (present aeon) as a Chiranjeevi (immortal) and a sage inclined towards spirituality, He is believed to have created the last episodic event of his life by establishing the Parashurama Ksherta as part of the Mahendra Parvat, also known as coast of Malabar, or Konkan coast, a land retrieved from the Arabian sea, which is part of the present day Kerala coast. This, he did after encountering Varuna, the sea God and commanding Varuna to recede to make land; he demarcated the land to be reclaimed from the sea by releasing his axe (or shot an arrow). This land is thus a gift from the ocean-god Varuna. The place from where he shot his arrow is on Salher fort (the second highest peak and the highest fort in Maharashtra) in the Baglan taluka of Nashik district of Maharashtra. There is a temple on the summit of this fort dedicated to Parashurama and there are footprints in the rock which are 4 times the size of normal humans.

This land reclaimed from the sea extends from Gokarna to Kanyakumari, which was then created exclusivly for the Brahmins.

In another legend, it is said that after Parashurama exterminated Kshatriyas , and at sage Vishwamitra's instructions gifted the entrie territory he had won to sage Kashyapa and other Brahamanas, And thus, having no place to call his own, he performed a rigorous penance as a result of which the god Varuna granted him a boon of reclaimed land from the sea. This place is located at city of Chiploon in Konkan region of Maharashtra. Another place where he washed his battles axe in the Malaprabha river in Karnataka has been mentioned in the earlier episode.

Some of the other places in India which are claimed to be related to Parashurama's life events are: 

a) A place called Panchthirthi near Simla in north India, which is a confluence of five rivers. It is believed that the hermitage of Jamadagni, Parashurma's father, was at this place. It was here, that the legend says, Parashurama was born, and he killed Sahasrarjuna. or King Kartvirarjuna. There is a Shiva temple here named Parashurameshwara . 

b) After donating entire territory won by him, Parashurama went to a place named Shurparaka, It is also identified as a village Sopara near Mumbai, Maharashtra.

c) On the border of Kurukshetra in Haryana, there is a place called Samantapanchak, According to Mahabharata, here, Parashurama created five water bodies, kundas, This place is now called Ramahrida.

d) Parashuram Kund is a famous Nadi (River) Tirtha of the Hindus in the north - eastern region of Arunachal Pradesh of India, It is a very ancient and delightful place, which finds mention in various scriptures including Shrimad Bhagwat Purana. The legend goes that Lord Parashurama, in order to make atonement for his sins, washed his blood stained parashu (axe) in the river at this place. It is now a heritage site of panoramic natural beauty, equipped with forested mountains, valleys and plains. Government of India is establishing here a 51 feet divine and grand idol of lord Parshuram made of panchadhatu.

e) Near Simla in North India, there is a place called Renuka thirtha. The sacred tank here is named Parashutram Tal. The mountain here is known as as Jamadagni Parvat.

f) The place where Parashurama released the arrow to reclaim land from the sea is also calimed to be in the Konkan area, known as Lote Parashurama and now has a temple dedicated to Parashurama.

g) Another interesting but factual event is the creation of the Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins of the Konkan region of Mahasrashtra. It is believed that sage Parashurama did this by purifying a group of sixty fishermen at a fuenral pyre.. They superiroity within caste hierarchy by means of this myth highlighting their very marginality to society. 

h) In the "Sahyadri Khanda" of the Skanda Purana, Parashurama is described as having reclaimed Konkan from the sea and is hence named as Konkana-suta (koṅkaṇāsuta/कोङ्कणासुत), the son of Konkana. His mother Renuka is also known as Konkana, meaning born in Konkana country. 

Note: To be continued as: "Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part VII History of Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins"

Narasipur Char 

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V (b), Training Karna In epic Mahabharata

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V (b), Training Karna In epic Mahabharata

Did you know that Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, the Brahmin priest and warrior did train Karna, as a great archer and warrior but at the end cursed him also to forget the mantras to recall the astras as he lerned that Karna had decived him by saying he was a Brahmin? 

Parashurama's foray in the Dwapara Yuga continues eventhough he had retired into the Mahendra parvat after his savage actions of slaying the Kashatriyas. Karna, the much misunderstood warrior, one of the main protagonists of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata and a tragic hero , went out of his way to somehow get trained by Parashurama. Karna had deceptively told Parashurama that he was Brahamana so that he could take him as disciple. Parasurama laid his palm on Karna's striking youth head, blessing him, He said I will teach you everything I know. Thus began the tutelage in Parashuaram's ashrama. Parashurama had found an extraordinary pupil both in respect of knowledge of Vedas and archery. Karna wanted to be fully proficient in the archer's marital knowldege, and Parashurama promiseed him that. He taught him for more than three years and Karna learned about devastras - astras of the Gods of light. He acquired the knowledge of all astras that could be had in this world even Brahmastra and the Bhargavastra. Karana even told his friend and mentor Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince that he was very well versed in archery having learned about al weponry from Parashurama. 

However, Karna's luck ran out. One day Parashurama was sleeping with his head on Karna's thigh. A leech pierced Karna;s thigh from one end to the other but thinking that his teacher's sleep would be disturbed, Karna tolerated the pain in silence. When the blood trcikled to Parasurama's face he woke up and found the room in his ashrama was full of blood stains Then Karna was made to reveal his identity to Parasuram who had guessed that he was a kashatriya and not a brahmin, and told him so, Then in fury for decieving him of his identtty, Karna was cursed by Parashasurama, This curse came into effect on 18th day of the Kurukshetra war when Karna was relentlessly attacked by Arjuna when he could not remember the mantras to be uttered to invite the divaystra. taught to him by Parashurama. Then he rembered the curse of Parasurama who had said :"For decieving your preceptor, you will forget all the divine weapons when necessasry. By that time he had lost the war to Arjuna." 

Legend of Parashurama also described him return to a village, after battles, in what is now Aihole in the Badami Taluka in Bagalkot distrct of Karnataka. While the warriror washed his axe beyond a sharp turn in the river Malaprabha, unknown to him, village women were washing their clothes downstream His mighty axe starined the entrire river red and the women expclaimed "Ai hole" translating to to "Oh! What a river! ". A rock shaped like an axe on the Malaprabha river bank north of the village is associated with this legend. 

Note: To be continued in the next episode - Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part VI, retirement home in Westcoast of India

Narasipur Char 

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part IV, Encounter with Lord Rama of Ayodhya of epic Ramayana,

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part IV, Encounter with Lord Rama of Ayodhya of epic Ramayana,

Did you know that Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, during the Treta Yuga after he had earned the moniker as 'Kshatrantaka' following his slaying all Kshatriyas, has an encounter with young Rama, prince of Ayodhya of epic Ramayana in King Janaka's court where the Shiva Dhanus is broken?

Did you know that Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, is present in the Ramayana epic due to the conflict with Rama (the protagonist of the Ramayana) over Shiva's broken bow, also appears later in Mahabharata epic as the guru of Bhisma, Drona, Rukmi, and Kar na?  

Parashurama, the sixth avatara of Vishnu meets with the seventh avatara of Vishnu, in the Treta Yuga itself, at the breaking of his Shiva Dhanus which he had gifted to King Janaka in the epic Ramayana. This furious encounter of Parashurama with young prince Rama of Ayodhya takes place in the Swamyamvara event organised by King Janaka in his court for finding a suitable suitor in marriage for his daughter Sita.. The challenge posed to the royal suitors present was lifting and stringing the huge Shiva dhanus which had been gifted to Janaka by Parashurama himself, on an eralier occassion. 

Only prince Rama could lift this Shiva dhanus and string it but it broke with a thunderous noise which Parashurama heard in his ashrama, and locating the source of the noise in his divine vision became furious and came running to accost the perpetrators of this noise. This incident has been narrated in two different versions.

In the first version, as narrated in the Vishnu Purana, which is now a popular screened TV version, happened in King Janaka's court in Mithila. As Parashurama entered through the main gate of the palace into the royal court, he saw a large gathering of royal dignitaries who had assembled for the Swyamvara of Sita, Parashurama also suddenly saw the broken Shiva dhanus which he had gifted to Janaka and he became furiuos. King Janaka and Vishwamitra immediately bowed to him, and Sunayana, wife of Janaka and her daughter Sita followed. Parashurama blessed Sita to get married to the greatest of men. Prince Rama of Ayodhya and his brother Lakshmana were also introduced to him and thery paid their obesence to Parashurama and he blessed them to live long with unequalled fame, Parashurama then tersely asked Janaka as to who broke the Shiva Dhanus given by him, and even threatend Janaka saying that: "He would destroy the person who broke it". Then, Rama told Parashurama that: "He who broke the bow of Shambu (Shiva) is a slave of yours, and whatever order you give I will follow it. With Parashurama's threat all the suitors, rajas and princes left Janaka''s court in haste. 

But Lakshmana intervened and posed a pertinent question to Parashurama: "Your holiness, We broke many bows in our childhood. You never became mad at us like now., Why are you so attached to this old bow". Parashurama did not like this question from a young man and warned Lakshmana, and calling him an upstart asked him to hold his words or he would face his wrath. Sage Vishwamitra intervened and tried to pacify saying that Lakshmana was just a boy . Then prince Rama intervened saying that he picked up the bow and strung it and it then just fell apart. You can get angry with me and punish me in whatever way you wish. Parashurama was startlled by Rama's reply and told him: "...since you claim that you did it then pick up this bow which I am carrying and string it if you can, and remove my doubt. He also told Rama that this bow had come to him with God' Vishnu's grace, and if you raise the bow and string it, then I will know who is God, the spouse of Lakshmi.

Parashurama then placed the bow , the Vijaya bow of Vishnu crafted by Vishwakarma himslef , granted to him by Lord Indra he was carrying before Rama to lift and string. Prince Rama easily lifted the bow and strung it. Parashurama then realisng that Rama was none other than an avatara of Vishnu, his successor, folded his hands and bowed to Rama and then went around Rama three times in Pradaskhina (cirumambulation). He thus rightully gave back all his powers to Rama saying : "I will leave for my mounatin resort and I will never use weapons again."

Another version of the above event, happened when Lord Rama and his brothers with their brides of Janakas' family were returning in a grand procession as part King’s Dasaratha’s entourage, with pomp and gaiety with beating of drums. As the procession passed through the hermitage of Parashurama at Siddhivana, disturbed by the noise of the drums, Parashurma who was doing penance in the ashram was annoyed came out in anger, and obstructed the path of Dasaratha. Dasaratha was horrified at this turn of events. Parasurama’s unforgiving hatred against all Kshatriyas was something that all of them had heard about and learned to be scared of from the time they were all little children. With great trepiditon, Dasaratha approached the sage with folded hands and entreated him to spare the young prince Rama. Parasurama ignored him and continued to address Rama thus:

"Both the bow broken by you and the one I carry now were crafted by the architect of the gods, Visvakarma. The one you broke earlier belonged to Shiva, but this one belonged to Vishnu and is therefore more powerful. This bow has been passed on by Vishnu to my ancestors and thereafter to me. I now offer it to you, Rama. Considering your sacred duty as a warrior to always accept a challenge, exhibit your strength to me".

"Unperturbed by Parasurama’s anger and demeanor, Rama addressed him thus: " You are a Brahmin sage and are therefore worthy of my worship. However, since you despise the entire Kshatriya class, you despise me and I therefore have no choice but to display my prowess to you"

Rama then easily lifted the bow called Vijaya, and set his arrow and asked the sage: "Where shall I discharge this deadly arrow? As you are my superior and a Brahmin, I cannot aim it at you." Impressed and astonished, Parasurama immediately realized that this was no ordinary Kshatriya standing there in front of him. He told Rama: "You surely must be Lord Vishnu himself" He accepted defeat and told Rama that he was indeed the lord of all the worlds. He also admitted to Rama that he had divested him of all his power and pride. Parashurama bowed down before Rama who released the arrow which hit the sea. The sage also vanished. Varuna, the god of the water then appeared before Rama and gave him the celestial bow to keep, on behalf of all the gods.

It is also said that the Punyaloka which had been earned by Parashurama by tapas was destroyed by Rama. This was accepted by Parasurama who watched the incident dispassionately and wished Rama well as he knew Rama was a matchless divine soul and hence he did not mind losing the Punyaloka to Rama. After losing his power, Parashurama went to Mount Mahendra to do penance. 

Note: To be continued in the next episode titled: "Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part V, in epic Mahabharata

Narasipur Char 

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part IV Encounter with Ganesha

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part IV Encounter with Ganesha

Did you know that the moniker given to god Ganesha as Ekadanti was courtesy Parashurma's parasu (axe)?

Parashurama, known as Kshatrantaka after his marauding revegeful action of slyaing the Kskatriya race, remorseful of his actions, sought as a favourite disciple of his guru Lord Shiva's comforting guidance and blessings. The sage found himself just outside Kailash, abode of Lord Shiva, and was surprised when he found Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi wasoutside the door. Ganesha blocked Parashurama from entering the chamber of Shiva as he was sleeping.

Ganesha refused to let Parashurama in to disturb the sleeping Shiva. Parashurama, who had thought that he could meet his favorite guru Shiva anytime anywhere) became furious and tried to force his way in,. But found Ganesha a determined opponent. Ganesha challenged Parashurama and a fight ensued between the two. Ganesha then picked up Parashurama with his long trunk, swung him round and round till he was dizzy. and helpless, and pounded him down to the groud.. When his head cleared, Parashurama got up groggy, and in fury but unaware that Ganesha was the son of his guru Lord Shiva,, flung his axe at the stubborn Ganesha. Now, Ganesha could have avoided the axe easily, but he recognized the weapon as one of his father Shiva's . He could not insult his father by resisting his weapon. So he took the axe humbly upn one of his his tusks, whcih broke, 

Disturbed by the commotion of fighting, Shiva rushed out of his chamber (a cave in Kailasa) followed by Parvati. Parvati, when she saw that her son Ganesha was seriously wounded,, turned into a fiery Durga and raged at the warrior Parashurama who was standing with his axe in his hand. She derided him for his actions as an insult to Shiva, his mentor and she even cursed him saying: " Though you are an avatara of Vishnu no one on earth or heaven will ever worship you"; She was so furious that she was even ready to end his life instantly. Parasurama stood still unarmed with folded hands prayed to Lord Narayana and chanted "Om Namo Bhagavate Narayanaaya" . instantly Narayana (some Puaranas say Lord Krishna which is unlikely as it was still Treta Yuga) appeared before Parasurama and gauging the tense situation appealed to Durga (Parvati) to calm down.

Immediately, Paravti smiled at Narayana, gave up the attack and welcomed the Lord of the Universe along with Shiva. Narayana then advised Parashurarma to apologise to Parvati ( Durga) and also seek the blessings of Ganesha. Parasurama, as advised, prostrated before the gods and surrendered his Parashu (axe) at Ganesha's feet in tribute . Ganesha, as a mark of forgiveness, retruned the axe to Parashurama.,, Parashurama then retreated to a distant mountain to begin his meditation

Even since this encounter with Parashurama, Ganesha has been depicited with only one tusk. In another prosaic version it is said that Ganesha wore down one tusk to a stub by using it to write down the epic verse of the Mahabharata dictated to him by sage Vyasa. 

Note: Next episode shall be: Parashurama or Bhargava Rama - Part IV Encounter with Lord Rama of Ayodhya in epic Ramayana,

Narasipur Char 

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, - Part III Invincble destroyer of Kshatriya clan

Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, - Part III Invincble destroyer of Kshatriya clan 

Did you know that Parashurama, of Brahamanical class or priestly caste, waged war against the Kshatriya rulers twenty one times as he had seen 21 cuts on his father's body who was slain by King Kartvirarjuna;s sons and he had heard ethereally his mother's cry Rama! Rama! Parasurama! 21 times?

Parashurama's life history takes a drastic and violent turn, during the period between Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga. This was when his encounter of the Bhrigu Bhargavas clan against their arch enemies Haihayas headed by Kartavirya Arjuna and his sons to start with and later against all the Kashtriyas of the land, started to unfold. It was also the time of unfolding of his sixth avatara of Vishnu as Rama with the axe ( parasu ) - Parashu Rama - in the Shaktyavesh Avatara to eliminate the Kshatriya dynasties who had excesively become despotic because of the material modes of passion and ignorance, and had turned irreligious and ceased to care for the laws enacted by the Brāhmaṇas; Kshatriyas had become highly tyrannous and were resorting to unrighteous ways. 

Once, Kartavirya Arjuna, of the Haihaya kingdom at Mahishmati paid a royal visit to the hermitage of Jamadagni, with his entourage, and was received by sage Jamadagni's wife Renuka with all respect;. As Renuka had the benefit of possessing the all giving celestial cow called Surabhi or Susheela with her, she could royally feed not only Kartavirya Arjuna but all his retinue of soldiers. When Kartviraarjuna found that the Surabhi , the cow of plenty, was the strength of Jamdagnis in feeding any number of people visiting , he wanted to possess it., He asked Jamadagni to give Surabhi to him, but the sage refused saying that the cow was a gift from Indra and thus can not be given away as a gift again, The king tthen took away the cow by force to his capital city Mahishmathi, much against the humble pleadings of Jamadagni and his wife Renuka; the king even hit Jamadagni with his fist, Thus Arjuna not only requitted the honour shown to him by the Jamadagnis by carrying away by force the calf and the sage's sacrifical cow, and but also uprooted many lofty fruit trees in the hermiatge. When Parasurama came home after his daily physical exercises, he was infuriated to see the action of Kartavirya Arjuna in forcibly taking away the cow Surabhi. Then, armed with his axe and bow, accomanied by his disciple, Parashurama, in fury, went to Mahishmati and accosted Kartavirya Arjuna for his unjust action and requested for the cow's safe return but, Arjuna did not relent and a battle ensued between the two warriors. It is said that Kartaviryarjuna then attacked Parasurama with his spread out thousand arms but also with an akshohiini of his army against Parashurama who stood alone with his formidable Parashu or axe and bow and arrows. Parashurama not only cut off the thousand arms of Arjuna but also slew him. He then took back the divine cow Surbahi and returned to his ashram and reported to his father Jamadagni.

But the situation did not ease, as , in revenge for killing their father, Kartaviryaarjuna's sons invaded Jamadagxni's ashram to inflict maximum punishment on Parashurama and his parents. But Parassurama was away from home so they slew Jamadagbi with 21 cuts on his body. Renuka was just in great anxiety, and just helplessly watched the killing of her husband. She cried in angusih: "Rama! Rama! Parasurama!, who was away from the ashram. Parashurama could ethereally hear the cries of his mother from afar and he rushed home. He counted that his mother had called his name twenty one times. On reaching his ashram he saw his father's head severed from the body. Parashurama and Jamadagni's disciples cremated the rishi, and his wife Renuka performed sati. There and then Parashurama took a vow to eliminate the clan of Kartaviryaarjuna but also the entire race of the Kshatriyas by mounting missions twenty one times; he repeatedly smote most of the noble race of Kshatriyas. But strangely he left out the Suryavanshi and Chandravamshi Kashatriyas - King Dasaratha and King Janaka and even befriended them. He also had interaction with their leaders like Rama in the Treta Yuga and Bhishma, Drona and Karna in Dwapara Yuga. . 

During the above proecess of killing, Parashurama had turned the earth into mass of ensanguined mud. At one place he evern created five lakes of the blood of kashatriyas known as Samanthapanchaka, identified during Mahabhartaa war as Kurukshetrta. At this place he satiated the manes of the Bhrigus and beheld his grand faher Ruchika.

After this dance of death and gore, Parasurama felt that the purpose of his advent had been achieved and he made a gift of all the territoies he had conquered to the sage Kashyapa and other Brahmins who had los their land, in the presence of his grand father Ruchika. He felt that having given away everything, it would not be right for him not to remain on the land he had gained.  

After losing his power and land, Parashurama went to Mount Mahendra to do penance where his pitrurdevatas advised him to only to do Tapas after taking a holy dip in the Vadoosara River to restore his lustre; to take a dip at special spot in the river called Deeptoda. He did just that and thus regained his divine body. 

Parashurama having achieveed his objective of eliminating the evil ones of Kashatriya race, wanted to visit Kailasa, the abode of his Guru and god Lord Shiva to express his gratitude. This is where he encountered Ganesha who humbled him. He later during the Treta Yuga had an ecounter with Lord Rama of Ayodhya and with Bhishma, Amba, Drona and Karna, and even Lord Krishna, during the Dwapara Yuga. 

Note: The next episode will be on "Parashurama or Bhargava Rama, - Part IV Encounter with Ganesha".

Narasipur Char 

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Did you know that Vaikuntha Ekadashi, which falls on the 11th day [Ekadashi] of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the month of 'Pausha' as per the Hindu calendar, is an important religous festival today dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it is believed that ‘Vaikuntha Dvaram’ (the gate to Vaikuntha heaven ) is opened on this day?

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the 11th Lunar day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the Lunar month of 'Pausha' (15 December to 13 January) as per the Hindu calendar when it is belived by the Vaishnavas, Smarthas, and Sri Viashnavasa that the door to the Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu is opened. Every Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu or a form of Vishnu's ten avataras (incarnations), has such a divine door or Vaikunta dwara fixed in its precincts so that devotees pass through this Vaikuntha Dwara, doorway to heaven called Bhholoka Vaikunta, which opens once in a year on this day, today. Passing through this door on this day has special sanctity of enhancing the postive spiritual energy of the devotee and helps him/her to wash of all sins and attain the goal of liberation of the soul and avoid the cycle of birth and rebirth. This day also happens in the Tamil month of Marghazhi or Dhanur masam, after the start of the northern journey of the Sun (Uttarayana). Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting is an important aspect of those associated with it. 

Special prayers from the Vedas, Naalayira Divya Prabandham, Sri Vaikuntha Gadhyam, as well as the Vaikuntha Dvara Puja, Prakarothsvam (Sri Veli), Oonjal Seva (swing pooja), Oonjal Prabhandham, yagnas, discourses, and katha kalakshepam (lectures) are held at many Vishnu temples around the world on this auspicious day.This Ekadasi in particular has special sanctity as it is said to have the power of the other 23 ekadasis fast kept round the year. 

One of the popular legends narrated to this event is related to Ambarisha, King of Ayodhya. The King, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu used to observe Ekadasi fast. Once, during Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Ambarisha performed the Dvadashi Vrata at Vrindavana, which required that the king must start a fast on Ekadashi, and break it at the start of Dvadasi (the twelfth day), and feed all his people. On this particular Ekadasi day before he could break his fast sage Durvasa visited him and thus his routine was disturbed. He offered obesiance to the sage and requested the sage to be his honoured guest for a meal, which the latter accepted, but went first to perform his ritual ablutions at the holy river Saryu. For some reason, Durvasa got delayed and the auspicious moment of breaking of fast approached. King Ambarisha was in a dilemma as he felt that not breaking his fast before the day was over, the act of his fasting would not bear fruit. So as advised by his priests, instead of eating a morsel of food to break the fast he took a sip some water, which broke his fast, which he hoped to not prove to seem insulting to the sage. But the sage who returned soon after found the act of the King as an insult to him and in fury, as was his wont,in his rage created an asura (demon) to kill Ambarisha, out of a strand of his hair. Because Ambarisha was a great devotee of Vishnu, the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu intervened, killed the asura, and started chasing Durvasa himself. He went to Vishnu himself, who said that he could do nothing as he was bound by the faultless devotion of Ambarisha, and suggested to the sage to seek the pardon of the king. Durvasa went to Ambarisha, who prayed to Vishnu to recall his discus, and save Durvasa. Thus, Durvasa's life was spared. 

The most important for this particular festival is considered to be in Srirangam which is specifically known for the Svarga Vasal opening. In this temple dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy, Ekadashi celebrations lasts for 20 days, divided into two parts: pagal pathu (morning part 10 days) and Ira pathu (night part 10 days). Vishnu, as the mulavar (central temple idol) of Ranganatha, is regarded to bless devotees in his Muthangi, an armuor of pearls, on all 20 days. On the 10th day of Pagal Pathu (previous day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi), the utsavar (processional idol), named Namperumal, is believed to bless devotees, in his form as Mohini. The utsavar, clad in an armour of diamonds and gems (rathaangi), and brought to the thousand-pillared hall from the sanctum sanctorum, is taken through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal or the Svarga Vasal, the gate to Vaikuntha. 

The celebrations of this special occasion span across all Vaishnva temples including the Venkateshwara Temple Tirumala Hills,. In the 

The Shaiva sect observes the day as Trikoti Ekadashi, a religious observance where adherents regard it to be the date when all the deities in the Hindu pantheon pay obeisance to Shiva.

Narasipur Char 

Diu Fortress

Diu Fortress

Did you know that the Diu Fort in India was voted one of seven wonders of Portuguese colonialism in an opinion poll in Portugal?

The Diu Fortress is a Portuguese-built fortification located on the west coast of India in Diu. It was known in Portuguese as 'Praça de Diu'. The fortress was built as part of Portuguese India's defensive fortifications at the eastern tip of the island of Diu during the 16th century. The fortress, which borders on the town of Diu, was built in 1535 subsequent to a defense alliance forged by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor attempted to annex this territory. It was strengthened over the years, till 1546. The Portuguese ruled over this territory from 1537 until the Indian invasion of December 1961. Today it is a landmark of Diu and one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World.

Historically, since ancient times, the place Diu, was linked to several Kings and Dynasties; the earliest quoted is of the Puranic period, followed by the Mauryans, the Kshatrapas from the 1st century to 415, Guptas from 415 to 467, by the Maitrakas from 470 to 788, by Chavda dynasty of Gujarat and Saurashtra from 789 to 941, by the Chalukyas (under the Chalukya as local Chieftains) and the last was that of the Portuguese colonial rule till Diu was taken, along with Goa and Daman, by the Government of India on 19 December 1961.

In a seige of this fort In 1538, the Turks, who were ill-disposed towards the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese, had mobilized a strong naval force comprising sixty-six ships and 20,000 soldiers. Starting from Egypt in 1538 they laid siege to the fort, repeatedly assaulted and intensely bombarding it. When the fort's forces were about to collapse, the Turks, for unknown reasons, lifted the siege and turned back to the Red Sea.

The fortress is a large structure on the coast of the Diu island and commands views over the sea. Built with sandstone and lime mortar, it skirts the sea on three sides. The outer wall of the fort was built along the coastline. The inner wall had bastions on which guns were mounted. A double moat (outer one is a tidal moat) between the outer and inner walls provided security to the fort. The moat that separates the fortifications from the castle has been cut through sandstone rocks. A jetty built then on the northwestern side is still in use. The fort was provided with three entry gates. A bastion built earlier by the Sultan in the deep water channel, next to the fort walls, was further strengthened by the Portuguese.

Within the fortress, there are three main churches - the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the St. Paul’s Church, and the St. Thomas Church. 

Historic Venetian Gothic style bungalows and typical carved wooden or stone havelis (mansions), which belonged to affluent colonial Portuguese and Indian merchants are seen in the Makata bylanes, near the Zapata gate of the fort.

There is also a Shiva temple, called Gangeshwar Mahadev, near the cliffs, which is much venerated. This temple is said to have been constructed by the 5 Pandava brothers and hence the 5 shivlings that are of different sizes.

Source: Extracts from artcile in Wikipedia with my inputs in October 2009.

Narasipur Char 

Sahadeva - Part 5 (c), 18-days Kurukshetra war and aftermath

Sahadeva - Part 5 (c), 18-days Kurukshetra war and aftermath

Did you know that Sahadeva, the youngest of the Pandavas of epic Mahabharta, at the request of his mother Kunti saved Karna who was mortally sick after gifting his life saving Kavacha and Kundala to an old brahmin impersonating for demi-god Indra?

Sahadeva, the yongest of the Pancha Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata, stood regally attired in a war dress at the Kuruksherta battle field flanking his older brothers Yudhisthra and Nakula. He was riding in his chariot which flew his flag with Swan as an insignia as he surveyed the humangous army of Pandava and Kaurva soldieis ridng horses and elephants; Pandvas had amassed an army of seven akshauhinis with Dhrishtadyumna as the supreme commander, against 11 akshauhinis of the Kauaravas, initially headed by Bhishma. Before the start of the war, Sahadeva had desired King Virata to be the general of the Pandava army, but Yudhishthira and Arjuna opted for Dhristadyumna. His conch was called Manipushpaka. As he was ready to blow his conch to start the Kurukshetra war, he was reminded of an incident of few days earlier to the war in which he had saved Karna, one of the chief antagonist in the Kaurava camp in the war. 

Just a few days before the Kurukshetra war started, a tragic event that took place on the bank of the river was of Karna donating his Kavacha (breast plate armour) and Kundala (ear-rings), which were glued to his chest since birth, as a protection of immortality, made him an invincible warrior. An old Brahmin appeared before Karna on the river bank of Saraswathi river and had asked Karna to give his Kavach and Kundala as a gift; the old Brahmin was none other than demi-god Indra, in disguise. This act was done intentionally to weaken the strength of Karna in the ensuing war against Arjuna. But as a compensation, Indra gave him a weapon, a missile, called 'Vassavi Shakthi' that could only be used once and would kill any mortal or immortal. Because of forcible peeling of the Kavacha from his chest with a knife, his chest started bleeding and he collapsed into an unconscious state. Kunti who was watching this numbing incident, rushed to help Karna, and Karna’s foster parents, Adhiratha and Radha, also reached there. Karna's mother Radha insisted that Kunti should call her sons who were proficient in Ayurvedic herbal treatment to save Karna. Kunti then sent messengers to fetch Nakula and Sahadeva. They came and saw Karna in an utter distressful state but were hesitant to help Karna as he was in their enemy camp and had resolved to kill their brother Arjuna. They even wondered why Kunti should be helping him at all as if he was her own son. On Kunti’s pleadings, Sahadeva relented and prepared an herbal paste and applied it to Karna's wound and also gave an oral decoction to drink which Kunti forced on her unconscious son. With this treatment Karna soon regained consciousness and was taken to his house in Hastinapur. Karna’s mother Radha prostrated to Sahadeva and thanked him for helping Karna. Then, Dhritrashtra coming to know of this incident through the vision of his advisor Sanjay, called Sahadeva to his palace and thanked him, and also enquired him about his Divya drishti. 

Sahadeva, on every day of the 18 day war after blowing his conch Manipushpaka fought valiantly displaying his prowess in sword and other forms of fighting. In particular, on the 13th day, his advance into the Chakravyuha craeted by Drona to trap Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna Sahadeva was stopped and repelled by Jayadratha, when Abhimanyu, Arjun'a son was killed brutally by many Kaurava warriors. 

Sahadeva, during the course of the war, defeated 40 brothers of Duryodhana while fighting them simultaneously. he also killed Dushasana’s son and avenged the death of Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son.

On the 14th day of war, Sahadeva rides aginst Karna and fights. But Karna is a warrior of another order. This encounter does not last long. Karna kills Sahadeva's horses and snaps his bow and the chariot. Seizing up a sword, Sahadeva leaps from his useless chariot. But as he runs at Karna, but that grand marksman smashes the blade in the Pandava's hand. Sahadeva yields his mace, only to have it struck into dust. Thinking his death has arrived, Madri’s son wrenches his chariot -wheel free and runs at his sneering enemy. Karna strikes the spokes from the wheel with five amazing arrows.' he breaks its rim with a sixth. Sahadeva stands panting and helpless not ten feet from Karna determined to die unbowed. The youngest Pandava stands with his handsome head thrown back, his eyes raking his conqueror. Karna laughs, and slowly brings his chariot close to the trembling prince. He prods his young antagonist with the tip of his bow. Grinning , Karna tells Sahadeva: “You must not fight betters, boy. Look there, at your brother Arjuna. Now, he is a kshatriya; go hide behind him,, little one, or else go home." Sahadeva was defeated by Karna but his life was spared as Karna had saved his life on an earlier occassion and and he alos had made a promise to his mother Kunti that he would only kill Arjuna. On the same day Sahadeva's son Shrutasena was defeated by Karna's son Vrishasena. 

On the crucial 18th day of the war, the last day of the war, while the war was in full swing, and Sahadeva was fighting Kripa, he saw Shakuni attacking the Pandava army. His fury revived, Sahadeva called out to Shakuni and challenged him to a fight. Shakuni was just then in grief as his son Uluka had been killed by Nakula. Shakuni in great fury attacked Sahadeva with three arrows and also threw a scimitar at him. Then Shakuni was pursued relentlessly. Sahadeva had even parried with Shakuni, and mocked him saying: "with your tongue for a bow and words as arrows? or may be you will throw your dice at me! your dharma is simple : Kill the spiders, save the butterflies." Shakuni then adopted to other tricks to gain upper hand- sorcery and demonic magic. Then Sahadeva sent a desparte appeal to Krishna for help as he loosing the war againnst Shakuni . Krishna who was also in the battle field in another area telepathcally foiled Shakuni’s magical strikes. Then mysteriously Draupadi in her ferocious look with loose tresses and clad in blood-red cloth made an illusory presence before Shakuni in his chariot which chilled him to the bone. Shakuni found to his utter dismay that his dice had turned to ashes. He was numbed with terror. Thus Draupadi had marked him for death. Taking advantage of this situation, Sahadeva severed Shakuni's head with a broad headed arrow made of hard iron which was capable of penetratintg every armour. Sahadeva was pleased as he had fullfilled his vow taken at the dice game in Hastinapur court to kill Shakuni in particular. There was great rejoicing in the Pandava camp as Shakuni was the chief villain of the Mahabharata. On the same day he killed his maternal uncle Shalya's son. 

There was tragedy for Sahadeva on the night of the 18th day when his son Shrutasena was killed along with the other Upapandavas (sons of Draupadi), by Ashwatthama. With this incident the 18-days war ended with immesne loss of life on both sides.

At the end of the war, Sahadeva recalls that the epic war of confrontation involved 466 confrontations of which 266 were in Pandava's favour and 92 in favour of Kauravas.

Yudhishthira was crowned king of Hastinapur, who appointed Nakula as king of Northern Madra and Sahadeva as the King of southern Madra. While Draupadi remained in Hastinapur as the empress, Sahadeva and his wife Vijaya lived with their son Suhotra in Madra. It is also said Sahadeva had two other wives - Bhanumathi and Jarasandha's daughter and their childrens' name is not known.

The Pandavas reign at Hastinapur lasted for 36 years. Emperor Yudhishthira then renounced the throne and passed the mantle to Arjuna's grandson Parikshit. Draupadi and four Pandavas—Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva who grew weak died during the journey to the Himalayas while seeking heaven. Sahadeva was the second one to fall after Draupadi. When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Sahadeva fell, Yudhishthira replied that Sahadeva took much pride in his wisdom. Yudhishthira, the lone survivor and being of pious heart, was invited by Dharma (Yama) to enter the heavens as a mortal.

Narasipur Char