Parashurama Jayanti Vrat Katha | Legends of Parashurama Jayanti

Parashurama Jayanti Vrat Katha

In ancient times, there was a king named Gadhi who ruled in Kannauj. King Gadhi had a very virtuous daughter named Satyavati. In due course, King Gadhi married his daughter Satyavati to Richika, the son of Sage Bhrigu. After the marriage, Sage Bhrigu asked his daughter-in-law to seek a boon as a blessing. Satyavati requested Sage Bhrigu to grant a boon of a son for her mother.

Sage Bhrigu gave Satyavati Charu, that is, sacrificial food known as Havishyanna in a vessel, and said - "O daughter! When your mother and you become purified after the ritual bath, then your mother should embrace the Peepal tree with the desire for a son, and you should also embrace the Gular tree with the desire for a son. Thereafter, carefully consume the Charu given by me separately." Satyavati bowed to her father-in-law and took the Charu to give to her mother.

As soon as Satyavati's mother came to know that Sage Bhrigu had given Charu to his daughter-in-law for obtaining an excellent child, she, out of jealousy, exchanged her Charu with that of her daughter. In this way, Satyavati consumed the Charu that was meant for her mother.

Through his Yogic power, Sage Bhrigu came to know that Satyavati's mother had exchanged the Charu vessels. Therefore, he appeared before his daughter-in-law and said - "O daughter! Your mother has deceitfully consumed the portion of Charu meant for you. Therefore, due to the effect of that Charu, your son, though born a Brahmin, will perform actions like a Kshatriya, and your mother's son, though born a Kshatriya, will perform actions like a Brahmin."

Hearing these words from Sage Bhrigu, Satyavati humbly said - "O revered sage! Kindly grant me this blessing that my son should perform the duties of a Brahmin, even if my grandson behaves like a Kshatriya."

Accepting Satyavati's request, Sage Bhrigu happily said - "So be it! Do not worry, O daughter, it shall happen as you desire."

In due course, a divine son was born from the womb of Satyavati, who became famous in the entire world as Sage Jamadagni. Jamadagni was a great ascetic and a righteous sage. When he attained the proper age, Sage Jamadagni was married to Renuka, the daughter of King Prasenajit. From the womb of Renuka were born five radiant sons named Rukmavan, Sukhen, Vasu, Vishwanas, and Parashurama. Thus, Lord Parashurama manifested in this world.

According to the descriptions found in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana, the great Sage Bhrigu had named Parashurama as Rama during the Namakarana Samskara. However, after receiving the Parashu weapon named Vidyudabhi from Lord Shiva, he became renowned as Parashurama. Being the son of Sage Jamadagni, he was also known as Jamadagnya. Parashurama received his early education and training in the Ashrams of Sage Vishwamitra and Sage Richika. Sage Richika had given Parashurama the divine Vaishnava bow named Sharnga. Brahmarshi Kashyapa also bestowed upon him the imperishable Vaishnava Mantra through proper ritual procedure.

From Lord Shiva, Parashurama received the Trailokya Vijay Kavacha of Lord Krishna, Stavaraja Stotra, and Mantra Kalpataru. Thereafter, Parashurama resided at Chakratirtha and performed intense penance. Pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon that after the episode of Tejoharana during the Rama Avatara in the Treta Yuga, he would remain immortal on earth and continue performing penance until the end of the Kalpa.

Lord Parashurama was highly skilled in warfare and was the supreme teacher. Pitamaha Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Karna, the son of Surya, all received the knowledge of warfare from him. Although Parashurama did not impart martial knowledge to Kshatriyas, Karna deceitfully presented himself as a Brahmin and learned warfare from him. However, when Karna's truth was revealed, Lord Parashurama cursed him that at the time when he would need this knowledge the most, it would fail him.

Lord Parashurama composed the Shiva Panchachatvarimshanama Stotram consisting of eleven metres. He supported the principle of one-wife vow throughout his life. With the help of Anasuya, the wife of Sage Atri, Lopamudra, the wife of Sage Agastya, and his dear disciple Akritavrana, he led a great movement for the upliftment of women.

In the Kalki Purana, it is mentioned that when Lord Vishnu incarnates as Kalki on earth, Parashurama will become his Guru and impart the knowledge of warfare to him.