 |
| SONS OF KARTYAVEERARJUNA ATTACKING THE
HERMITAGE |
 |
| JAMADAGNI BEING BEHEADED |
Parashurama did not hesitate even for a moment. Readily
he raised his axe, chopped off his mother's head and later killed his brothers. As he bowed before his father
in reverence, the latter's anger subsided. However, five persons had been killed.
Jamadagni said: "My son, your devotion to your father
has pleased me. Tell me what is your desire and I shall fulfill it.'"
Parashurama replied, "O father, nothing satisfies me more than fulfilling
your desire. If you want to grant me boons, please forgive
my mother and brothers for their disobedience and kindly bring them back to life." "As you
wish," said Jamadagni. The dead rose to life and prostrated before the sage.
The ashram's rituals were resumed unhindered. Thus Parashurama saved his mother
and brothers.
At the same time, the sons of Kartaveeryarjuna at Mahishmati were pining for
vengeance. Having once faced the wrath of the axe-wielding Parashurama, they
were afraid of confronting him again and hence conceived a secret plan.
Parashurama, accompanied by his brothers, had gone out on
an errand. Hearing of this from the spies, the sons of Kartaveeryarjuna laid
siege to the hermitage of Jamadagni. They vowed to seek their revenge by killing the sage. The sage
was sitting in meditation. Kartaveeryarjuna's sons stormed the place. Renuka,
realizing the danger confronting them, entreated the invaders to spare the life
of her husband. But her plea went unheeded. Jamadagni, in penance, was beheaded
and his skull was taken away to Mahishmati and the ashram was destroyed.
 |
| PARASHURAMA STALKING TO THE PALACE |
Renuka shouted 'O Rama! O Rama! O Rama!' Parashurama and his brothers who were
approaching the ashram heard their mother's cry and rushed to the place. They
were shocked to see the body of their father lying in a pool of blood his head
missing. Their mother had lost consciousness and collapsed.
The children helped
her to regain consciousness. She wept and narrated the happenings. Renuka and
the boys surrounded the headless body of Jamadagni and wailed and wailed. But
Parashurama did not sit quietly and cry. He learnt from the inmates of the ashram
the details of the incidents. Reddened with anger, Parashurama picked up his
axe and hurried towards Mahishmati.
 |
| PARASHURAM KILLING THE PRINCES |
On reaching the city, he first butchered the guards at the main entrance. Breaking
down the heavy gate, with his eyes like a couple of fireballs, he stalked to
the palace like an enraged lion. There he destroyed the whole army, which came
to attack him. He killed all the princes, picked up his
father's head and returned to the ashram. There the children performed all the obsequies in honor of the
departed soul.
|
