Episode 27: The Story of Parashurama

Summary

In this episode of 'The Stories of Mahabharata,' the Pandavas' pilgrimage continues as they meet Lord Vishnu's avatar, the sage Parashurama. The narrative delves into Parashurama's birth, his obedience to a tragic command, and his divine mission to defeat the tyrant Kartavirya. The tale underscores dharma, the path of righteousness, and the consequences of actions, highlighting the importance of truth and morality over power and kingdom.

Takeaways

• 😇 The story of Mahabharata is retold by Sudipta Bhavik, highlighting the journey of the Pandavas and their encounters with various divine figures.
• 🌊 Bhagiratha's efforts to bring the Ganges to Earth and Rishyasringa's role in bringing rains to the kingdom of Loma Harsha are recounted.
• 🏞️ The Pandavas' pilgrimage includes visiting holy rivers and confluences, including the Kousiki, Ganga, Vaitarani, and their meeting with Rishi Lo Mahasha.
• 🌕 Lord Parashurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is known to meet visitors on the 8th and 14th day of the lunar month, as per the narrative.
• 🛡️ The tale of the ferocious King Kartavirya, who misused his powers granted by Rishi Dattatreya, leading to his downfall by Lord Vishnu's avatar.
• 💍 The story of Rishi Jamadagni's marriage to Satyavati, involving a quest for a thousand white horses with black ears as dowry.
• 🔮 Satyavati's request for boons for herself and her mother leads to a mix-up, resulting in her son being a Brahmin by birth but a Kshatriya by deeds.
• 🗡️ The life of Jamadagni's son, Parashurama, includes the tragic incident where he beheads his mother on his father's orders and is later granted wishes including the revival of his mother.
• ⚔️ Parashurama's battle with King Kartavirya, leading to the latter's defeat and the cleansing of the Earth from oppressive Kshatriyas.
• 🏰 The Pandavas' meeting with Lord Parashurama, who invites them to spend a night in the Mahendra mountains, symbolizing a spiritual encounter.
• 👑 The moral dilemma faced by the Pandavas and their commitment to Dharma, even in the face of hardships and the temptation to reclaim their kingdom by force.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Mahabharata in Indian mythology?

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. It is a central scripture and the longest poem in world literature, and it portrays the struggle for the throne of Hastinapura among the Kuru dynasty.

Who is Bhagiratha and why is he significant in the Mahabharata?

Bhagiratha is a king mentioned in the Mahabharata who is known for bringing the Ganges River to Earth to purify the ashes of his ancestors. His name is associated with the Ganges, which is also called 'Bhagirathi' in his honor.

What is the story of Rishyasringa mentioned in the script?

Rishyasringa, also known as Rishwasringa, was a sage who was brought to Ayodhya by King Dasharatha to help him beget sons. His story is significant as it led to the birth of Rama, who is a central figure in the Ramayana.

Why did Lord Vishnu incarnate as Parashurama?

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Parashurama to rid the Earth of the tyrant King Kartavirya, who had become too powerful and was causing great harm to all living beings. Lord Vishnu took this form to restore balance and protect dharma.

How did Parashurama's birth fulfill the prophecy against Kartavirya?

Parashurama, as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born with the specific purpose of killing Kartavirya. His birth was part of a divine plan to counter the atrocities committed by the powerful king and restore peace to the world.

What is the story of Sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka?

Jamadagni and Renuka were the parents of Parashurama. Jamadagni asked his sons to kill Renuka when he believed she had been unfaithful. Only Parashurama obeyed, and later, he was granted wishes including the revival of his mother and the restoration of his brothers' sanity.

Why did Parashurama kill his mother Renuka?

Parashurama killed his mother Renuka because his father, Jamadagni, ordered him to do so after he believed she had been overcome with desire for another man. This act was part of a tragic misunderstanding and test of Parashurama's obedience.

What was the mission of Parashurama as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu?

Parashurama's mission was to eliminate the tyrant King Kartavirya and cleanse the Earth of the oppressive Kshatriya warriors who were abusing their power, thus restoring dharma and balance to society.

How did Parashurama avenge his father's death?

After his father Jamadagni was killed by the sons of Kartavirya, Parashurama, filled with rage, killed all the sons and followers of Kartavirya. He also vowed to purge the Earth of Kshatriyas 21 times to cleanse it of such oppressors.

What is the moral dilemma faced by the Pandavas during their pilgrimage?

The Pandavas faced the moral dilemma of adhering to their principles of dharma and truth despite the hardships they endured during their pilgrimage. They chose to continue their path of righteousness rather than seeking revenge or shortcuts.

What is the significance of the meeting between the Pandavas and Krishna?

The meeting between the Pandavas and Krishna during their pilgrimage signifies the support and emotional connection between them. It also highlights the dilemma of choosing between immediate action against their oppressors and adhering to their principles of dharma.

Outlines

00:00

🌌 The Arrival of Pandavas and the Tale of Kartavirya

In this episode, Sudipta Bhavik continues the epic saga of Mahabharata, recounting the Pandavas' pilgrimage and their encounter with Lord Vishnu's avatar, the Great Sage Parashurama. The narrative begins with a recap of the previous episode, mentioning Bhagiratha's efforts and Rishyasringa's reign. The Pandavas, on their journey, visit holy sites and reach the Mahendra mountains, where they are expected to meet Parashurama. The episode also introduces the story of the tyrannical King Kartavirya, who misused his powers granted by Rishi Dattatreya, leading the gods to seek Lord Vishnu's intervention.

05:00

🔮 Satyavati's Boons and the Birth of Jamadagni

The second paragraph delves into the story of Satyavati, daughter of King Gadhi, and her marriage to the sage Rishi. To win her hand, Rishi must fulfill the king's demand for a dowry of a thousand white horses with black ears. After their marriage, Satyavati's mother tricks her into drinking a potion meant for her, leading to a prophecy that her son will be a Brahmin by birth but a Kshatriya by deeds. The narrative follows the birth of Satyavati and Rishi's son, Jamadagni, who grows up to be a wise and skilled warrior. The story sets the stage for the birth of Parashurama, the youngest of Jamadagni's five sons and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

10:01

🗡️ The Tragic Order and the Rise of Parashurama

This paragraph narrates the tragic events that lead to the emergence of Parashurama. Rishi Jamadagni's wife, Renuka, is overcome by desire after witnessing the king's amorous play. When Jamadagni senses her lust, he orders his sons to kill her. Only Parashurama obeys, beheading his mother. Afterward, he is granted wishes by his father, including the revival of his mother and the forgetting of the incident. The story also covers the attack on Jamadagni's hermitage by King Kartavirya, leading to a fierce battle where Parashurama defeats and kills the king, thus fulfilling Lord Vishnu's mission.

15:02

🏰 The Pandavas' Encounter with Krishna and the Path of Dharma

In the final paragraph, the Pandavas reach Prabhasha and are visited by Krishna and Balarama, who are saddened by the Pandavas' deteriorated condition. Despite the hardships, Yudhisthira remains steadfast in his commitment to Dharma. Krishna and Balarama discuss the possibility of intervening against Duryodhana, but Yudhisthira insists on adhering to the path of truth and righteousness. The episode concludes with the acknowledgment of the Pandavas' unwavering moral resolve and a brief mention of the podcast's production team and distribution license.

Keywords

💡Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic that narrates the story of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes. It is central to the video's theme, as the script retells various stories from this epic. For instance, the script mentions 'the stories of Mahabharata' and the journey of the Pandavas, which are key elements of the narrative.

💡Bhagiratha

Bhagiratha is a mythological figure known for bringing the Ganges River to Earth to absolve his ancestors' sins. In the script, Bhagiratha's story is referenced to establish the context of the Pandavas' pilgrimage and their encounters with holy rivers, symbolizing the spiritual journey and the quest for redemption.

💡Pandavas

The Pandavas are the five heroic brothers from the Mahabharata who are central to the epic's plot. In the script, their pilgrimage and the lessons they learn from various sages are highlighted, showcasing their adherence to dharma and their pursuit of righteousness.

💡Parashurama

Parashurama is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and a significant character in Hindu mythology, known for his strength and the act of reclaiming land for the Aryans. The script describes his encounter with the Pandavas and his role in the story of Kartavirya, illustrating the theme of divine intervention and the balance of power.

💡Kartavirya

Kartavirya, also known as Kartavirya Arjuna, is a powerful king with a thousand arms in the script. His misuse of power and the ensuing conflict with Parashurama exemplify the consequences of abusing authority and the necessity of justice in the narrative.

💡Dharma

Dharma, often translated as 'duty', 'moral law', or 'cosmic order', is a fundamental concept in Hinduism. In the script, the Pandavas' adherence to dharma is emphasized, as they choose to suffer in the forest rather than abandon their principles, reflecting the video's message about the importance of moral conduct.

💡Krishna

Krishna is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and a key figure in the Mahabharata, known for his wisdom and guidance to the Pandavas. The script mentions Krishna's visit to the Pandavas, highlighting his role as a moral compass and a symbol of divine support in their journey.

💡Satyavati

Satyavati is a character in the script who is involved in a complex story of marriage, dowry, and divine intervention. Her story is used to illustrate the themes of desire, duty, and the consequences of actions within the narrative.

💡Jamadagni

Jamadagni is a sage and the father of Parashurama in the script. His story, including the tragic command to kill his wife Renuka due to a perceived unfaithfulness, is used to explore themes of obedience, morality, and the complexity of dharma.

💡Renuka

Renuka is the wife of Jamadagni and the mother of Parashurama. Her story, involving a moment of desire and the tragic consequences that follow, is a narrative device used to explore themes of temptation, loyalty, and the harsh judgments of dharma.

💡Shudras

In the context of the script, Shudras are one of the four varnas, or social classes, in ancient Hindu society. The story of the transformation of certain characters into Shudra roles due to a divine curse serves to illustrate the themes of social order and divine retribution within the narrative.

Highlights

Bhagiratha's mission to bring Ganga to Earth to fill the oceans.

The tale of Rishyasringa and his role in bringing prosperity to the kingdom of Loma Harsha.

Pandavas' pilgrimage and their visit to the holy confluence of the Ganga and the ocean.

Encounter with Rishi Lo Mahasha at the Mahendra mountains and the anticipation of meeting Lord Vishnu's Avatar, Parashurama.

The story of the ferocious King Kartavirya who misused his power granted by Rishi Dattatreya.

Lord Vishnu's decision to incarnate as a human to stop Kartavirya's tyranny.

The marriage of Rishi Jamadagni to King Gadhi's daughter, Satyavati, and the dowry of a thousand white horses with black ears.

Satyavati's request for boons for her and her mother, leading to a mix-up with the potions and the destinies of their sons.

The birth of Jamadagni's son, Parashurama, who would later be revealed as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Renuka's temptation by King Chitra and the tragic consequences leading to her beheading by her son, Parashurama.

Parashurama's wish for his mother's revival, the pardon for his actions, and his brothers' return to normalcy.

The revenge of Kartavirya's sons on Jamadagni and Parashurama's vow to cleanse the Earth of shatriyas like Kartavirya.

Parashurama's 21 times purging of the Earth to rid it of shatriyas, and his eventual retreat into the Mahendra mountains.

The meeting of the Pandavas with Lord Parashurama and their extended stay in the Mahendra mountains.

The emotional reunion of the Pandavas with Krishna and Balarama and the discussion on the path of Dharma.

Krishna's perspective on not accepting a kingdom won without effort and the Pandavas' commitment to their path of truth and struggle.

The production details of the Stories of Mahabharata podcast, including the writer, director, and audio engineering credits.

Transcripts

[Music]

the stories of Mahabharata

retold by

sudipta bhavik

[Applause]

[Music]

welcome dear friends to another episode

of the stories of Mahabharata

in the last episode we heard how

bhagiratha brought ganga to the Earth to

fill the oceans we also heard the story

of rishwas ringa and how he brought

Reigns to the kingdom of Loma pada

[Music]

thank you

[Music]

the pandavas continued their pilgrimage

from the banks of the kaushiki river

they visited the holy Confluence of the

river ganga and the ocean and then the

vaitharani river in Kalinga province

when they arrived at the foothills of

the Mahendra mountains Rishi Lo Masha

stopped and said

here we will meet Lord vishnu's Avatar

the Great Sage parishurama

Rishi parishurama's disciple akrita

Brana greeted the pandavas and welcomed

them to the ashram

asked when can we have the privilege of

meeting Lord parishurama

said

Lord parashurama is aware of your visit

he meets his visitors only on the 8th

and the 14th day of the Moon

tonight you take rest and tomorrow which

is the 14th day of the Moon

he will receive His blessings

tell us about the glory of Lord

parishurama we are eager to know

then narrated this story

[Music]

there lived the Ferocious King named

Cartier virya who had a thousand arms

he received a boon from Rishi dattatreya

that gave him immense power

however instead of using his power for

the good of humanity

cartiviria abused the Boon by torturing

all living beings

the gods were fed up with atrocities

they went to Lord Vishnu and said O Lord

karte Villa Must Be Stopped else he will

destroy the Earth he has become too

powerful and now nobody can kill him

except you

Lord Vishnu smiled and said

don't worry I will kill cartiviria but

to do that I need to appear on the earth

as a human being

[Music]

during that time

a king named gadhi ruled the province of

kanyakumja

he had a beautiful daughter named

satyavati

rishik the Brahmin sage and the son of

the Great Sage Maharishi bragu sauce

activity and fell in love

he went to King gadhi and asked for a

hand in marriage

was not very keen on giving his only

daughter in marriage to a prime Min

Rishi but he couldn't refuse him either

to make things difficult for richik he

said

I can give you my daughter

but as per my family traditions you must

give me a handsome dowry

Richard said for satyawati I will get

you whatever you want

get me one thousand white horses with

black ears said the king

Richard went out on a quest to find the

horses

soon enough he acquired the horses from

varuna the god of water and gave them to

King gadhi as his dowry

the king had no other option but to give

his daughter in marriage to richik

few months later Maharishi bhrigu and

his wife came to visit his son richik

and daughter-in-law satyawati

satyavati received her parents in law

with respect and took good care of them

to make sure they had nothing to

complain about

pleased with her hospitality and offered

her a boon

satyawati knew what she wanted

a son

but she was also pained by her father's

ill Fortune of not having a son as an

heir to the throne

O Father if you permit I would like to

ask for two Boons please bless me and my

mother to have a son each

Maharishi raised his hand and said

so be it

he gave her a bowl of a sacred portion

and said ask your mother to drink this

portion and she will have a son

then you give another bowl of potion to

satyavati this is for you to drink and

you will be the mother of a handsome and

Powerful son worthy to be my grandson

satyawati gave her mother the portion

her mother the queen of King gadhi

thought that Maharishi must have done

special favors to his daughter-in-law

and gave her a more powerful portion

swap the potions and drank the one that

was for a daughter

drank the one for our mother

however satyawati's mother couldn't fool

the wise and all-knowing Rishi brigu he

called satyawati and said

your mother has tricked you and swept

the portions

for this your son will be born a Brahman

but he will be a shatriya by profession

and your mother's son will be born

shatriya but will be a Brahmin by his

vocation

satyawati threw herself at brigo's feet

and said oh Father please please be kind

to me do not penalize me for my mother's

sin

brego was formed in his resolve he said

I am sorry satyawati

I cannot do anything about it

satyawati cried and said please have

pity on me I can accept if my grandson

becomes a shatriya but not my son please

said

all right then

your grandson will be a shatriya

thank you

[Music]

satyawati gave birth to a boy he was

named jamadagni

jamad Agni grew up to be a learned wise

man and a skilled Warrior

he married renuka the beautiful daughter

of King prasenjit

jamadagni and renuka gave birth to five

Sons

the youngest of them was Rama or

parashurama

he was the wisest and the strongest of

the brothers

but nobody knew that parashurama was the

Incarnation of Lord Vishnu and he was

born to fulfill a mission

[Music]

one day Rishi jamadagni's wife renuka

went to the river to fetch water

there

she saw the handsome king chitra

swimming and playing in the waters with

his wives

was kissing his wives caressing them

fondling them

the women laughed and tried to swim away

while the king chased them in the water

and pounced on whom he could get his

hands on

from a distance

renuka felt a surge of Desire

overwhelmer senses

she fought hard to control herself and

ran back to her home in her wet clothes

she entered the house

she found her husband jamadagni waiting

for her

asked I am thirsty

Where is my water

renuka couldn't answer

she was still trying to recover from her

condition

looked at her flushed face and knew that

she has been a victim of desire and lust

he was Furious he said you unfaithful

woman you have been overcome with desire

for another man you are a disgrace to

this house to this family you have no

right to live

he called his sons

the four Sons except parushrama came to

the room jamad Agni ordered them kill

this wretched woman now

the four brothers were shocked to hear

this

how could their father ask them to kill

their mother

they stood speechless

the Furious Rishi cursed the sons

and they turned into mindless creatures

foreign

was in the forest to fetch some firewood

when he returned home with a pile of

wood and his ax in hand

the angry Rishi jamadagni ordered him

Rama I order you to kill this Unfaithful

woman right now

[Music]

parishurama did not hesitate

with one powerful blow of his ax

he beheaded his mother

[Music]

anger subsided

he called parashurama to his side and

said

my son

you have obeyed my orders and carried

out the most difficult task

ask what you want

and I will fulfill your wishes

parashurama said

father

I wish my mother to be alive again

I wish to forget this incident forever

and may I be pardoned for my terrible

and sinful Act

I also wish my brothers to regain their

usual self

bless me with a long life and may I

become the most powerful and

undefeatable warrior in the world

[Music]

granted him all his wishes

[Music]

end here

one day while jamad agni's Sons were not

home

King karthavirya attacked and plundered

jamad agnis Hermitage and stole his

sacred cow

when parashurama returned home and saw

the destruction he was mad with rage he

picked up his ax and ran after

kartiviria soon a fierce battle ensued

between parashurama and karthavirya but

karthavirya was no match for parusurama

parashurama soon overpowered carthaviria

and with his ax chopped off his thousand

arms before decapitating him

dead body

crashed to the ground

and the Earth was rid of a Tyrant

shatriya King

Lord Vishnu fulfilled his promise

the angry sons of katavirya decided to

avenge their father's death and attacked

jamad agnis Hermitage

jamad Agni was busy with his daily

prayers when karthavirya's Sons pounced

on him with their weapons

jamadagni although a powerful Warrior

refrained from defending himself as he

was in his place of worship

he tried to call his son Rama

Rama

but before he could say any more

cut the various Sons

killed him

was devastated to find his father dead

in his prayer room

with the fire of Vengeance burning in

him

parashurama completed his father's

funeral and his last rights then he

proceeded to destroy the sons of

cartiviria with his soul hands

parashurama killed the sons and

followers of karthaviria still he was

not satisfied he vowed to cleanse the

Earth of shatriyas like karthavirya he

traveled around the world and purged the

Earth of shatriya's 21 times

his grandfather Richard pleaded him to

stop killing the shatrias

richex plea finally calmed the angry

Sage

he stopped the killings

and retired into the Mahindra mountains

foreign

the next day

Lord parasurama met the pandavas and

their Entourage

he asked yudhisthira to spend one more

night with him in the Mahendra mountains

yudhisthira was happy to oblige

the following day the panda was left the

Mahindra mountains and began their long

Trek South to continue their pilgrimage

the pandavas visited the godavari River

Basin The dravira Province and many

other holy places of pilgrimage before

arriving in prabhasha

the land of the vishnis

when Krishna heard of the arrival he and

balarama along with a small contingent

of Warriors came to visit

Krishna and balarama were hurt broken to

see the pandavas

the long and arduous Journey has taken

its toll on their health they looked

frail and tired their clothes were

tattered their hair unkempt and matted

their body covered with dirt

yudhisthira welcomed them and paid them

his respects balarama embraced

yudhisthira and said

following the path of Dharma does not

ensure happiness and not following

Dharma does not ensure unhappiness

either

turn towards Krishna and the other

vishnis and said look at yudhisthira

look at our cousins look at draupadi

they were tattered clothes

their hair knotted their skin blistered

the rulers of indraprastha are suffering

in the jungles while that evil Prince

duryodhana and his brothers enjoy the

luxuries of the palace

watching this people would think it is

better to avoid the path of Truth and

righteousness

how could they enjoy their life in the

palace by punishing their own

descendants

said

no point in lamenting now

we must do the right thing even if

yudhisthira doesn't want us to

let us the vishnis the bhojas and the

andhaka Clans get together and attack

duryodhana and destroy him

let chidishtira keep his promise and

live in the forest for the remaining

period

we would install abhiman new as the

ruler of asthinapur until he returns

um

Krishna with his calm voice said

satyaki we could have followed your

advice

however I don't think you this year I

would like to accept a kingdom that he

didn't win with his own hands

yudhisthira his brothers and draupadi

none would give up their morality for

the sake of their Kingdom

stood up and said

truth is the only thing we need to

protect not the kingdom

Krishna knows me well and I know him too

satyaki

when Krishna thinks the time has arrived

to exercise our might go and attack

duryodhana

till then let us follow our path of

Truth and struggle

[Music]

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[Music]