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{{Short description|Sixth avatar of Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{Redirect2|Parasuram|Parashuram||Parashurama (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Parashurama with axe.jpg
| member_of = [[Dashavatara]] and [[Chiranjivi]]
| alt = 
| day = [[Thursday]]
| caption = Parashurama by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]
| other_names = {{plainlist|
*Bhargava Rama
*Jamadagnya Rama
*Ramabhadra}}
| Devanagari = परशुराम
| Sanskrit_transliteration = {{IAST|Paraśurāma}}
| father = [[Jamadagni]]
| mother = [[Renuka]]
| affiliation = [[Vaishnavism]]
| abode = [[Mahendra Mountains]]
| weapon = [[Parashu]] (''{{IAST|Parashu}}'')
| spouse = [[Lakshmi|Dharani]] <ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x2J2EAAAQBAJ&dq=Dharani+wife+Parashurama&pg=PT433 |title=Vishnu Purana - Bibek Debroy - Google Books |date=2022-06-30 |isbn=9789354926617 |accessdate=2022-09-25|last1=Debroy |first1=Bibek |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited }}</ref>
| siblings = Rumaṇvān, Suhotra, Vasu, and Viśvāvasu<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241636.html | title=Story of Jamadagni | date=28 January 2019 }}</ref>
| birth_date = [[Akshaya Tritiya]]
| birth_place = [[Janapav]]
}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = [[Dashavatara]] Sequence
| predecessor  = [[Vamana]]
| successor    = [[Rama]]
}}
'''Parashurama''' ({{Langx|sa|परशुराम|lit= Rama with an axe|Paraśurāma}})<!--Do not remove, WP:INDICSCRIPT doesn't apply to WikiProject Hinduism-->, also referred to as '''Rama Jamadagnya''', '''Rama Bhargava''' and '''Virarama''',<ref name="Leslie2014p66"/> is the sixth avatar among the [[Dashavatara]] of the preserver god [[Vishnu]] in [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/3725372/Dainik-Statesman/28TH-JUNE-2023|title=পুরীধাম ও জগন্নাথদেবের ব্রহ্মরূপ বৃত্তান্ত|page=4|language=bn|date=28 June 2023|access-date=28 June 2023|website=dainikstatesmannews.com|publisher=[[Dainik Statesman]] (The Statesman Group)|location=Kolkata|first=Yogabrata|last=Chakraborty|trans-title=Puridham and the tale of lord Jagannath's legendary 'Bramharup'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628053933/https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/3725372/Dainik-Statesman/28TH-JUNE-2023#page/1/1|archive-date=28 June 2023|url-status=live }}</ref> Hindu tradition holds him to be the destroyer of evil on Earth. He liberates the Mother Earth from felons, ill-behaved men, extremists, demons and those blind with pride. He is described as one of the ''[[Chiranjivi]]'' (Immortals), who will appear at the end of the ''[[Kali Yuga]]'' to be the guru of Vishnu's tenth and last incarnation, [[Kalki]]. 

Born to [[Jamadagni]] and [[Renuka]], the [[Brahmin]] Parashurama was foretold to appear at a time when overwhelming evil prevailed on the earth. The [[Kshatriya]] caste, with weapons and power, had begun to abuse their power, take what belonged to others by force, and tyrannise people. He corrected the cosmic equilibrium by destroying  these Kshatriyas twenty-one times (leaving some lineages). He is married to Dharani, an incarnation of [[Lakshmi]], the wife of Vishnu.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last1=Coulter|first1=Charles Russell |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC&q=Dharani&pg=PA285|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |date=2013-07-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-96390-3|language=en}}</ref> 

In the epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', he arrives after [[Sita Swayamvara]], upon hearing the loud noise when [[Rama]] uplifts and breaks the divine bow [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Pinaka]]. He later deduces that [[Rama]] is [[Vishnu]] himself, he himself asked [[Rama]] to destroy the fruits of his austerities. 
In the Mahabharata, Parashurama, the formidable warrior-sage and sixth avatar of Vishnu, is renowned for his unparalleled martial prowess.  While the epic does not explicitly state the exact number of days Parashurama would have taken to conclude the Kurukshetra war, his legendary feats suggest that he could have ended it swiftly.   

Given these accounts, it's widely believed in various retellings and interpretations of the Mahabharata that Parashurama possessed the capability to end the Kurukshetra war in a single day.  However, he chose not to participate in the battle, adhering to his vow of renunciation and neutrality. 

In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' he was the guru of [[Bhisma]], [[Drona]], [[Rukmi]] and [[Karna]].<ref name="JonesRyan2006p324">{{cite book |author1= Constance Jones |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|author2=James D. Ryan |publisher= Infobase Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=324}}</ref><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld |url= https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N–Z|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/500 500]–501 |url-access=registration}}</ref> 

Parashurama is said to carry various traits including courage, aggression, and warfare along with serenity, patience and prudence. He was known to show his benevolence to Brahmins, children, women, old men and other weaker sections of the society.

== Legend ==
{{Hinduism}}

According to [[Hindu history]], Parashurama was born to the sage [[Jamadagni]] and his [[Kshatriya]] wife, [[Renuka]]. In local tradition, it is believed they lived in a hut located at [[Janapav]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parashurama|title = Parashurama &#124; Hindu mythology| date=6 August 2024 }}</ref> They had a celestial cow called [[Surabhi]], which gives them all that they desire.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500" /><ref>{{cite book|author= Khazan Ecosystems of Goa: Building on Indigenous Solutions to Cope with Global Environmental Change (Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research)|title = Khazan Ecosystems of Goa: Building on Indigenous Solutions to Cope with Global Environmental Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-r_EBAAAQBAJ&q=parashurama+was+saraswath+brahmin&pg=PA29|year=1995|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-9400772014|page=29}}</ref> A king named [[Kartavirya Arjuna]] (not to be confused with [[Arjuna]], the Pandava)<ref name="Leslie2014p64" />{{refn|group=note|The ''Mahabharata'' includes legends about both Arjuna, one is dharmic (moral) and other adharmic (immoral); in some versions, Arjuna Kartavirya has mixed moral-immoral characteristics consistent with the Hindu belief that there is varying degrees of good and evil in every person.<ref name="Leslie2014p64"/>}} learns about this cow of plenty and wants it. He asks Jamadagni to give it to him, but the sage refuses. While Parashurama is away from the hut, the king takes it by force.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500" /> When Jamadagni pleads his case and seeks for the return of the cow, the king strikes him with his fist, killing him. Parashurama learns about this crime, and is upset. With his axe in his hand, he challenges the king to battle. They fight, and Parashurama defeats and kills the king, according to the ''[[Padma Purana]]''.<ref name="Leslie2014p66"/><ref name=":1" />

{{Blockquote|text=The wicked-minded one lost his valour due to his own sin. The mighty son of Reṇukā, being angry, cut off his head, as mighty Indra did the peak of a big mountain, and he who was brave and angry, killed Sahasrabāhu and all the kings with his axe in the battle. Seeing Rāma, the very fearful one, all kings on the earth, struck by fear, ran away as elephants do on seeing a lion. The angry Rāma killed the kings even though they had fled due to the resentment against his father's murder, as the angry Garuḍa killed the serpents. The valorous Rāma made the entire [world] clear of the kṣatriyas, but protected [i.e. spared] only the very great family of Ikṣvāku, due to its being the family to which his maternal grandfather was related, and due to his mother's words.|title=[[Padma Purana]]|source=Chapter 241}}

The warrior class challenges him, and he slays every single member of the class, save for those belonging to the lineages of [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]] and [[Ikshvaku]]. The mighty son of Jamadagni, having rid the world of the Kshatriyas, then performs the [[ashvamedha]] sacrifice. He grants the earth with the seven islands to principal [[Rishi|rishis]] belonging to the Brahmin class. Having renounced the earth and his violent deeds, he retires to the hermitage of [[Nara-Narayana]] to engage in penance. The legend likely has roots in the ancient conflict between the Brahmin [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]], with knowledge duties, and the Kshatriya varna, with warrior and enforcement roles.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p324" /><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500" /><ref name="donaldson159">{{cite book|author= Thomas E Donaldson|editor= Umakant Premanand Shah|title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U. P. Shah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC |year=1995|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-316-8|pages=159–160}}</ref>

=== Epic Ramayana ===
In the ''Ramayana'', following Rama's wedding to [[Sita]] at [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] and during their homeward journey to [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]], his party comes across a number of inauspicious signs. Amid an earthquake and a dust storm, Parashurama appears before the party. After accepting the libation offered to him, Parashurama challenges Rama to combat, on the condition that the prince show his strength to the sage by placing a bow within the string of the latter's bow, [[Sharanga (Hindu mythology)|Sharanga]], and discharging it. Ignoring [[Dasharatha|Dasharatha's]] plea to spare Rama this task, Parashurama relays the divine origin of the bow and the history of its ownership, appealing to Rama's skills as a warrior. Rama seizes the bow from Parashurama and strings it, an act that causes the latter to become bereft of his divine power. Humbled, Parashurama acknowledges that Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu and requests the prince to allow him to return to the mountain Mahendra so that he could practice yoga and accrue [[Punya (Hinduism)|merit]]. After circumambulating Rama in worship, Parashurama returns to his hermitage.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valmiki |url=http://archive.org/details/TheRamayan |title=The Ramayana |date= |pages=139–144}}</ref>
[[File:Ramabhadracharya_Works_-_Painting_in_Sribhargavaraghaviyam_(2002).jpg|thumb|Painting in Sri Bhargavaraghaviyam]]

=== Epic Mahabharata ===<!--{{Copying within Wikipedia|Amba (Mahabharata)}}-->

==== Bhishma ====
In the ''Mahabharata'', Parashurama intercedes on the princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]'s behalf, promising to command his disciple [[Bhishma]] to do his duty and marry her after her abduction.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uberoi |first=Meera |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Cn_zJhh-rIC&pg=PA25 |title=The Mahabharata |date=2005 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-303358-5 |pages=25 |language=en}}</ref> When Parashurama arrives with his retinue at [[Kurukshetra]], he sends a message to Bhishma to inform him of his arrival. Bhishma comes to see his [[guru]], offering him the traditional respects. Parashurama commands Bhishma to accept Amba as his wife. Bhishma refuses, restating that he had taken a vow of celibacy. An infuriated Parashurama threatens Bhishma with death. Bhishma tries to calm the sage, but in vain, and he finally agrees to battle his guru to safeguard his [[Kshatriya]] duty. [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]] tries stopping the battle by beseeching her son as well as the great sage, but fails.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |title=Section CLXXXI |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05181.htm |work=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva |publisher=Sacred-texts.com}}</ref> The great battle lasts for 23 days, without any result. On the 24th day, when [[Bhishma]] chooses to use a deadly weapon, at the behest of the divine sage [[Narada]] and the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], Parashurama ends the conflict and the battle is declared a draw.<ref name="Mani">{{cite encyclopaedia |year=1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> |title=Amba |encyclopaedia=Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |last=Mani |first=Vettam |author-link=Vettam Mani |pages=27–29 |isbn=978-0-8426-0822-0}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |title=Section CLXXXVIII |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05188.htm |work=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva |publisher=Sacred-texts.com}}</ref> Parashurama narrates the events to Amba and urges her to seek Bhishma's protection. However, Amba refuses to listen to Parashurama's advice and angrily declares that she would achieve her objective by asceticism.<ref name="CLXXXIX">{{Cite web |author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli |title=Section CLXXXIX |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05189.htm |work=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva |publisher=Sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Parshuram Kshetra ===
[[File:Parshuramsaraswats.jpg|thumb|left|Parashurama, surrounded by settlers, commanding [[Varuna]], god of the waters to recede to make land known as '''Parashurama Kshetra''<nowiki/>' from Gokarna to Kanyakumari for the Brahmins]]
There are legends dealing with the origins of the western coast geographically and culturally. One such legend is the retrieval of the west coast from the sea, by Parashurama. It proclaims that Parashurama, an [[Dashavatara|incarnation]] of [[Mahavishnu]], threw his battle axe into the sea. As a result, the land of the western coast arose, and thus was reclaimed from the waters. The place from which he threw his axe (or shot an 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 Parshuram and there are footprints in the rock four times the size of normal humans. This fort on a lower plateau has a temple of goddess Renuka, Parshuram's mother and also a Yagya Kunda with pits for poles to erect a shamiyana on the banks of a big water tank.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} 

According to the Sangam classic ''[[Purananuru]]'', the [[Chera dynasty|Chera]] king [[Senguttuvan|Senkuttuvan]] conquered the lands between [[Kanyakumari]] and the [[Himalayas]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Kerala History and its Makers |last=Menon |first=A. Sreedhara |publisher=D C Books |year=1987 |isbn=978-8126421992 |page=24}}</ref> Lacking worthy enemies, he besieged the sea by throwing his spear into it.<ref name=":0" /><ref>''Ancient Indian History'' By Madhavan Arjunan Pillai, p. 204 {{ISBN?}}</ref> According to the 17th-century [[Malayalam]] work ''[[Keralolpathi]]'', the lands of [[Kerala]] were recovered from the sea by the axe-wielding warrior sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of [[Vishnu]] (hence, Kerala is also called ''Parashurama Kshetram'' 'The Land of Parashurama'<ref>S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava (2006) "Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: Volume 14", p. 18</ref>). Parashurama threw his axe across the sea, and the water receded as far as it reached. According to legend, this new area of land extended from [[Gokarna, India|Gokarna]] to Kanyakumari.<ref>{{cite book |author=Aiya VN |title=The Travancore State Manual |publisher=Travancore Government Press |pages=210–12 |year=1906 |access-date=12 November 2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RdzaPW-kEvQC}}</ref> The land which rose from sea was filled with salt and unsuitable for habitation; so Parashurama invoked the snake king [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]], who spat holy poison and converted the soil into fertile lush green land. Out of respect, Vasuki and all snakes were appointed as protectors and guardians of the land. [[P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar]] has theorised that [[Senguttuvan]] may have been inspired by the Parashurama legend, which was brought by early Aryan settlers.<ref>{{Cite book |title=History of the Tamils: From the Earliest Times to 600 A.D. |last=Srinivisa Iyengar |first=P. T. |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1929 |isbn=978-8120601451 |location=Madras |page=515}}</ref>

In present-day Goa (or Gomantak), which is a part of the Konkan, there is a temple in Canacona in South Goa district dedicated to Parashurama.<ref name="skanda">'' Shree Scanda Puran (Sayadri Khandha)'' – Ed. Dr. Jarson D. Kunha, Marathi version Ed. by Gajanan Shastri Gaytonde, published by Shree Katyani Publication, Mumbai</ref><ref>''Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti'' Part 1, p. 206, B. D. Satoskar, Shubhada Publication</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Aiya VN |title=The Travancore State Manual |publisher=Travancore Government Press |pages=210–212 |year=1906 |access-date=2007-11-12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RdzaPW-kEvQC }}</ref>

== Shastras ==
Parashurama is generally presented as the fifth son of [[Renuka]] and [[Rishi]] [[Jamadagni]].<ref name="donaldson159" /> The legends of Parashurama appear in many Hindu texts, in different versions:<ref name="Dimmitt2012p82">{{cite book|author=Cornelia Dimmitt|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=re7CR2jKn3QC |year=2012|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-1-4399-0464-0|pages=82–85}}</ref>

=== Devi Bhagvata Purana ===
In Chapter 6 of the ''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'', he is born from the thigh with intense light surrounding him that blinds all warriors, who then repent their evil ways and promise to lead a moral life if their eyesight is restored. The boy grants them the boon.<ref name="donaldson159" />
Parashurama retired in the [[Mahendra Mountains]], according to chapter 2.3.47 of the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Thomas E Donaldson|editor=Umakant Premanand Shah|title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U.P. Shah|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC |year= 1995|publisher= Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-316-8|pages=174–175}}</ref>

=== Vishnu Purana ===
In Chapter 4 of the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'', Rcika prepares a meal for two women, one simple, and another with ingredients that if eaten would cause the woman to conceive a son with martial powers. The latter is accidentally eaten by Renuka, and she then gives birth to Parashurama.<ref name="donaldson159" />

=== Vayu Purana ===
In Chapter 2 of the ''[[Vayu Purana]]'', he is born after his mother Renuka eats a sacrificial offering made to both [[Rudra]] (Shiva) and [[Vishnu]], which gives him dual characteristics of Kshatriya and Brahmin.<ref>{{cite book|author=Thomas E Donaldson|editor=Umakant Premanand Shah |title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U.P. Shah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC |year=1995|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-316-8|pages=160–161}}</ref>

=== Mahabharata ===
Parashurama is described in some versions of the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' as the angry Brahmin who with his axe, killed a huge number of Kshatriya warriors because they were abusing their power.<ref name="Conquest of Parasurama">{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07067.htm|title=Drona Parva Section LXX|date=1883|publisher=Sacred Texts|work=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|access-date=15 June 2016|author=Ganguly KM}}</ref> In some versions, he even kills his own mother because his father asks him to in order to test his obeisance.<ref name="Leslie2014p64" /><ref name="daniel30" /> After Parashurama obeys his father's order to kill his mother, his father grants him a boon. Parashurama asks for the reward that his mother be brought back to life, and she is restored to life.<ref name="daniel30">{{cite book|author=Daniel E Bassuk|title=Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k3iwCwAAQBAJ |year=1987|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-349-08642-9|page=30}}</ref> Parashurama remains filled with sorrow after the violence, repents and expiates his sin.<ref name="Leslie2014p64">{{cite book|author=Lynn Thomas|editor=Julia Leslie|title=Myth and Mythmaking: Continuous Evolution in Indian Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QrLKAgAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-77881-0|pages=64–66 with footnotes}}</ref> After his Mother comes back to life, he tries to clean the blood-stained axe but he finds a drop of blood which he was unable to clean and tries cleaning the blood drop in different rivers. This is when he moves towards the south of India in search of any [[holy river]] where he could clean his axe, finally, he reaches [[Thirthahalli|Tirthahalli]] village in [[Shimoga district|Shimoga]], Karnataka and tries to clean the axe and to his surprise, the axe gets cleaned in the holy river of [[Tungabhadra Dam|Tunga]]. With respect towards the holy river, he constructs a Shiva linga and performs pooja and the temple is named as Rameshwara temple. The place where Parashurama cleaned his axe is called Ramakunda.

He plays important roles in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' serving as mentor to [[Bhishma]] (chapter 5.178), [[Drona]] (chapter 1.121) and [[Karna]] (chapter 3.286), teaching weapon arts and helping key warriors in both sides of the war.<ref name="Karna the conqueror of the entire world">{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03252.htm|title=Mahabaratha, Digvijaya yatra of Karna |date=1896 |publisher=Sacred Texts|work=The Mahabharata|access-date=11 June 2015|author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Lynn Thomas |editor=Julia Leslie|title=Myth and Mythmaking: Continuous Evolution in Indian Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QrLKAgAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-77881-0|pages=66–69 with footnotes}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|The Sanskrit epic uses multiple names for Parashurama in its verses: Parashurama, Jamadagnya, Rama (his name shortened, but not to be confused with [[Rama]] of Ramayana), etc.<ref>{{cite book|author=Lynn Thomas|editor=Julia Leslie|title=Myth and Mythmaking: Continuous Evolution in Indian Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QrLKAgAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-77881-0|pages=69–71 with footnotes}}</ref>}}

In the regional literature of [[Kerala]], he is the founder of the land, the one who brought it out of the sea and settled a Hindu community there.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p324"/> He is also known as Rama Jamadagnya and Rama Bhargava in some Hindu texts.<ref name="Leslie2014p66">{{cite book|author=Julia Leslie|title=Myth and Mythmaking: Continuous Evolution in Indian Tradition |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Z7LKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA63|year=2014|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-136-77888-9|pages=63–66 with footnotes}}</ref>  He is the only incarnation of Vishnu who never dies, never returns to abstract Vishnu and lives in meditative retirement.<ref name="Leslie2014p64"/> Further, he is the only incarnation of Vishnu that co-exists with other Vishnu incarnations Rama and Krishna in some versions of the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata'', respectively.<ref name="Leslie2014p64"/>{{refn|group=note|These texts also state that Parasurama lost the essence of Vishnu while he was alive, and Vishnu then appeared as a complete avatar in Rama; later, in Krishna.<ref name="Leslie2014p64"/>}}

=== Samanta Panchaka ===
According to the [[Adi Parva#Structure & Chapters|Sangraha Parva]], after killing 21 generations of Kshatriyas, he filled their blood in five pools collectively known as the ''Samantha Panchaka'' (Sanskrit: {{lang|sa|समंत पञ्चक}}). He later atoned for his sin by severe penance. The five pools are considered to be holy.

The [[Adi Parva#Structure & Chapters|Anukramanika Parva]] says that the Samantha Panchaka is located somewhere around Kurukshetra. It also mentions that the Pandavas performed a few religious rites near the Samantha Panchaka before the [[Kurukshetra War]].

==Parashurama Kshetra==
Legend tells that before retiring to Mahendragiri mount, Parashurama threw his axe in the Arabian Sea, and land rose out of it, called Parashurama Kshetra.
There is much interpretation of 'Parashurama Kshetra' (Land of Parashurama) mentioned in the [[Puranas]].

The region on the western coast of India from [[Gokarna, Karnataka|Gokarna]] to [[Kanyakumari]] was known as Parashurama Kshetra.<ref>{{Cite book|last=L Eck|first=Diana|title=India : A Sacred Geography|publisher=Harmony/Rodale|date=27 March 2012 |page=37 |language=English}}</ref>

The region of [[Konkan]] was also considered as Parashurama Kshetra.<ref>Stanley Wolpert (2006), Encyclopedia of India, Thomson Gale, {{ISBN|0-684-31350-2}}, page 80</ref>

The ancient [[Coastal South West India|Saptakonkana]] is a slightly larger region described in the Sahyadrikhanda which refers to it as Parashuramakshetra (Sanskrit for "The Land Of Parashurama"), [[Vapi]] to [[Tapi district|Tapi]] is an area of South [[Gujarat]], India. This area is called "Parshuram Ni Bhoomi".<ref name="encyc">{{cite book|last = Chandra|first=Suresh |title=Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods & Goddesses |publisher= Sarup & Sons|year= 1998|page= 376|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=mfTE6kpz6XEC|isbn=9788176250399 }}</ref>

==Iconography==
[[File:2 iconographic representations of Parasurama.jpg|thumb|right|Parashurama with his axe (two representations)]]
The Hindu literature on iconography such as the ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' and ''Rupamandana'' describes him as a man with matted locks, with two hands, one carrying an axe. However, the ''[[Agni Purana]]'' portrays his iconography with four hands, carrying his axe, bow, arrow and sword. The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' describes his icon as one with four hands, carrying his axe, bow, arrows and a shield like a warrior.<ref name="donaldson178">{{cite book|author=Thomas E Donaldson|editor=Umakant Premanand Shah|title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U.P. Shah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC |year=1995 |publisher= Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-316-8|pages=178–180}}</ref> Though a warrior, his representation inside Hindu temples with him in war scenes is rare (the Basohli temple is one such exception). Typically, he is shown with two hands, with an axe in his right hand either seated or standing.<ref name="donaldson178" />

== List of Temples ==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2025}}
{|
!Name
! Deity
! Location
! State
! Image
! Speciality
|-
! [[Anantheshwara Temple, Udupi|Anantheshwara Temple]] 
| Parashurama || [[Udupi]] || [[Karnataka]] || || Parashurama is worshipped in the form of a [[lingam]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Tulu Tales: A Soota Chronicle|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMRlAAAAMAAJ|author=G. Kameshwar |publisher= Rupa & Company|year=2004|page=31|isbn = 9788129104274|quote=The association of Parasurama, an incarnation of Vishnu, with the Linga, came to be known as Anantheshwara and the place of worship is the present Anantheshwara temple.}}</ref> 
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashuram || Thiruvallam, [[Thiruvananthapuram]] || [[Kerala]] || 
|-
| Athyarala Temple
| Parashurama || [[Rajampet|Rajempet]] || [[Andhra Pradesh]] ||
|-
| [[108 Shiva Temples]]
| Shiva || 108 Locations || [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] ||  || Believed to be consecrated by Parashurama
|-
| [[Parshuram Kund]] 
| Parshurama || [[Lohit district|Lohit District]] || [[Arunachal Pradesh]] || || Pilgrims visit in winter season on   every year, especially in the [[Makar Sankranti]] day for a holy dip which is believed to wash away one's sins.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 January 2017|title=Thousands gather at Parshuram Kund for holy dip on Makar Sankranti |url= http://thenewsmill.com/thousands-gather-parshuram-kund-holy-dip-makar-sankranti/|access-date=2017-01-13|publisher=The News Mill}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=Jan 18, 2013|title=70,000 devotees take holy dip in Parshuram Kund|newspaper=Indian Express |url= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/70000-devotees-take-holy-dip-in-parshuram-kund/1061283/|access-date=2014-06-29}}</ref>
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Banganga Tank|Banganga]] [[Parshuram Mandir, Walkeshwar|Parshuram Mandir]]
| Parashurama || [[Mumbai]], [[Walkeshwar]]|| [[Maharashtra]] || || [[Ramayana]] shrine
|-
| Mahurgad 
| [[Renuka]], Parashurama || [[Nanded district|Nanded District]] || [[Maharashtra]] || || [[Shakti Pitha]] shrine
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama || Chiplun, [[Ratnagiri District]] || [[Maharashtra]] || ||
|-
| [[Parshuram Mandir, Mokama|Parshuram Mandir]]
| Parashurama || [[Mokama]]|| [[Bihar]] || || Kalash Yatra
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama ||[[Kollur, Udupi district|Kollur]]|| [[Karnataka]]||
|-
!
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama ||[[Koteshwara]]|| [[Karnataka]] ||
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama ||[[Kukke Subrahmanya]]|| [[Karnataka]] ||
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama ||[[Udupi]]|| [[Karnataka]]||
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama ||[[Gokarna, Karnataka|Gokarna]]|| [[Karnataka]]||
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama || [[Anegudde]] (Kumbhasi)||[[Karnataka]] ||
|-
| Parashurama Temple
| Parashurama || [[Shankaranarayana]] || [[Karnataka]] ||
|-
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180px">
File:A Parasurama temple in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Kerala India.jpg|A Parashurama temple in [[Kerala]]
File:Peechi Dam Garden Statue of Parasurama.JPG|Parashurama in a garden
File:Parashurama-statue-at-mango-meadows-agricultural-theme-park-kaduthuruthy.jpg|Statue @ Mango Meadows, Kaduthuruthy
File:Parashurama_Theme_Park_05.jpg|Statute @ Bailur, [[Udupi]]
File:Parashu_Rama_challenged_Rama_who_was_on_his_way_back_to_Ayodhya,_Dasaratha_begged_him_to_leave_the_teenage_boy.jpg|Rama and Parashurama with Dasharatha
</gallery>

== In popular culture ==
The Parashurama avatar symbolizes the strict and non-relinquishing aspect of showing ''daya'' (mercy), where he has to be harsh for the well being of the ''srushti'' (world).<ref>{{cite web| date=17 August 2024 | title=दशावतार कीर्तनमाला  परशुराम अवतार श्रावण विशेष ह.भ.प. डॉ. चारुदत्तबुवा आफळे #vishnu Dashavtarv |  url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCPMsz30Mn8}}</ref>

On top of the hills of Janapav is a [[Shiva]] temple where Parashurama is believed to have worshipped [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]], the ashram is known as Jamadagni Ashram, named after his father. The place also has a Kund (Pond) that is being developed by the state government.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 May 2008 |title=Janapav to be developed into international pligrim centre |url= https://www.oneindia.com/2008/05/08/janapav-to-be-developed-into-international-pligrim-centre-1210264311.html |access-date=Nov 17, 2019 |work= One India}}</ref>

The [[Bhumihar]] caste of eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]] claim to be descendants of Parashuram.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 January 2024 |title=सभी भूमिहार-ब्राह्मण परशुराम के वंशज: आशुतोष |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/samastipur/story-all-bhumihar-brahmins-are-descendants-of-parshuram-ashutosh-9145902.html |website=[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Hindustan]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=भूमिहार ब्राह्मण एकता व संस्कार मंच ने मनाई परशुराम जयंती |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/bettiah/news/bhumihar-brahmin-unity-and-sanskar-forum-celebrated-parshuram-jayanti-133002843.html |website=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]}}</ref> As Parashurama was a Brahmin who carried out [[warfare]] like a [[Kshatriya]], Bhumihars thus claim the traits of both the [[Varna (Hinduism)|varnas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bihar Politics: बिहार में 'भगवान परशुराम वंशियों' के गढ़ में कड़ी फाइट, इस दफे फायरब्रांड के लिए आसान नहीं मैदान |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/begusarai/bihar-news-begusarai-loksabha-election-2024-giriraj-singh-seat-will-see-tough-fight/articleshow/109052154.cms |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=मुजफ्फरपुर में भगवान परशुराम की मूर्ति स्थापित करेगा भूमिहार ब्राह्मण सामाजिक फ्रंट - Bhumihar Brahmin Social Front to install statue of Lord Parashurama in Muzaffarpur |url=https://www.jagran.com/bihar/muzaffarpur-bhumihar-brahmin-social-front-to-install-statue-of-lord-parashurama-in-muzaffarpur-21506793.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}</ref>

In [[Kannada]] folklore, especially in devotional songs sung by the [[Devdasi]]s he is often referred to as a son of [[Yellamma]]. Parashurama legends are notable for their discussion of violence, the cycles of retaliations, the impulse of ''[[Krodha (Mental factor)|krodha]]'' (anger), the inappropriateness of ''krodha'', and repentance.<ref>{{cite book |author=Thomas E Donaldson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fETebHcHKogC |title=Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U.P. Shah |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1995 |isbn=978-81-7017-316-8 |editor=Umakant Premanand Shah |pages=161–70}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Bhagwan Parshuram]]''
*[[Bhagavad Gita]]
*[[Chiranjivi]]
*[[Heheya Kingdom]]
*[[Kalachuris of Mahishmati|Kalachuri Kingdom]]
*[[Parasuram Express]]
*[[Śānkarasmṛti (Laghudharmaprakrāśikā)]]
*[[Vijaya (bow)]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last= KM |first=Ganguly |title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07067.htm |edition= Drona Parva Section LXX|date=2016 |orig-year=1883 |publisher=Sacred Texts }}
* {{cite book |last= Mackenzie|first=Donald A|title=Indian Myth and Legend|url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/iml/index.htm |year=1913|publisher=Sacred Texts }}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Parashurama}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-reg|[[Dashavatara|6th Avatar of Vishnu]]
}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Vamana]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = [[Dashavatara]]<br/>{{small|[[Treta Yuga]]}}
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[Rama]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{HinduAvatars}}
{{HinduMythology}}{{Ramayana}}{{Mahabharata}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chiranjivins]]
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[[Category:Sages in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Akilattirattu Ammanai]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi mythology]]
[[Category:Avatars of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Savior gods]]
[[Category:Salakapurusa]]
[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Jain mythology]]
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