Parshuram Jayanti 2023: Why Did Parshurama Kill His Mother?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Devi Renuka herself was considered a powerful God like being because of her devotion to her husband. She was known to possess the power to bake a pot from the river sand, which she would use to collect water for her husband's daily puja rituals. She was a superwoman who had mastery over her mind.

The Day That Changed Renuka's Fate

One fateful day, while she was walking towards the river, just before she could make a pot with the sand, her gaze fell up on a Gandharva Couple who were engrossed in each other. Renukas mind wavered for a fraction of a second, as a consequence of which she lost her powers and the pot could not be made. Jamadagni, who was in a meditative state, gathered all the information intuitively and flew into a rage for her indiscreet behaviour..

Jamadagni's Reaction

He was so overcome with rage that he ordered his sons to kill their mother to which all sons disagreed except Bhargava Rama, or Parshurama. These children turned into stones immediately but. Parshurama, with out batting an eyelid obeyed his father at that time. He thought that it is best to listen to his father as he was on the side of the truth. But his feeling towards his mother were so strong that when Jamadagni asked Parshurama for boons, He asked his mothers and siblings lives be restored back to them,. Jamadagni granted the boons and the family was back to happiness and safety.

Consequences of Killing

But killing the mother amounts to the worst of sins and hence the axe which he used on his mothers neck stuck to his hands and never left him, So parashuram in order to separate it from his hands, he travelled to Arunachal Pradesh, to the Lohit river and washed his hands there. The axe finally separated from his hand. This place later came to be known as Parashuram Kund.

But the blood stains were still intact on his hands for which he travelled up to Tungabhadra River and washed his hands in its pristine waters. This place later came to be known as Ambuteertha, and the village came to be known as Tirthahalli. The blood stains were washed away in the pious waters of Tungabhadra and Parshurama got riddance of the sin that he had committed.

Why Did He Slay His Own Mother?

Lord Parashurama was one of the avatars of Vishnu who dispensed justice to everyone who ever it be. He loved his parents equally and his obedience was unparalled. He was calm and unruffled while wielding his axe on his mother. He was equally at peace when Jamadagni was pleased with his obedience and gave him a chance of asking two boons.

If Parashurama was one of those kind of sons who killed his mother in a rage or avarice, then he could not have asked for revival of Renuka and his other brothers. He did not want to disturb their peace of mind to such an extent that he asked Jamadagni to grant peace for his brothers and mother. Power of his truth was actually responsible for reviving his mother and siblings