Parshuram Jayanti is celebrated every year as the birth anniversary of Bhagawan Parshuram, the Brahmin warrior, who was the sixth incarnation of Bhagawan Vishnu. The name ‘Parshuram’, is derived from the word ‘parasu’, which means axe. Parasu was the prime weapon of Parasurama or Parshuram. The Jayanti appears on the third day of Shukla paksha, the waxing phase of the moon, in the month of Vaishakha. It is mainly observed when Tritiya prevails during pradosh kaal, as it is believed that Parshuram ji was born in pradosh kaal.

Parshuram Jayanti

Parshuram Jayanti or Parshuram Dwadashi, is celebrated in reverence of a great Brahmin warrior who took birth with the purpose of ending the unrighteousness caused by kshatriyas. Parshuram, also known as Ram Jamadaganya, Ram Bhargava and VeerRama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatars of Vishnuji. He is said to be one of the Chiranjeevis, who are immortal or long-lived. He is believed to appear at the end of kalyug, as a martial guru of the last roop of Bhagawan Vishnu, ‘Kalki’. He was born on the third day of krishna paksh in the month of Vaisakh.  People celebrate Parshuram Jayanti by observing a fast and undertaking good deeds or charity. It is believed that observing a fast on this day, blesses the observer with an obedient child. According to Varaha Purana, people who fast on this day, gain a place in the Brahma lok. Some also believe that they are reborn as a mighty ruler. Satsangs and processions are arranged on this day, to celebrate the end of unrighteousness. This day is also celebrated as Akshay Tritiya. People strongly believe that the merits of good deeds performed on this day are reaped forever.

ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE:

Parshuram was the son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka and was born during Treta Yuga, when evil was prevailing on earth; an era when Kshatriyas had started to misuse their powers and harass the general public. He maintained the dynamics of the universe by defeating Kshatriyas twenty-one times. He is the epitome of bravery. Known as the Brahmin warrior, he displayed a number of traits such as aggression, warfare and bravery but was also known for his patience, calm and prudence. He was a great warrior who attained military training from Rishi Vishwamitra and mastered all weapons. He attained a parasu (axe) from Shiva, as a gift for his bravery and devotion. The purpose of Vishnu’s incarnation as Parshuram, was to remove the burden of sinful, destructive and unrighteous kshatriyas, who misused their powers and brought destruction and harassment to common people.

Parshuram was married to Dharani, an incarnation of Lakshmi. He had a prominent role in Ramayana, who competed with Shri Ram over Bhagawan Shiva’s broken bow. He was also mentioned in Mahabharata, as the guru of Bhishma, Dronacharya, Rukmi and Karna.

Parashuram, along with his parents, sage Jamadagni and Renuka, a kshatriya princess, lived in an ashram, which was located on a hilltop, and was called Jamadagni ashram. They had a celestial cow which was believed to fulfill all desires (she was the daughter of Kamdhenu). One day, a Kshatriya king Kartavirya Sahashrarjun, tried to snatch this cow from Jamadagni and Renuka, and in the process, killed Renuka. Jamadagni was beheaded and his body was cut into 21 pieces. When Parshuram learnt about the event, he decided to get rid of unrighteous kshatriyas 21 times. He killed 21 unrighteous kshatriya kings, defeating them in battles. His purpose was to crush the ego of kshatriyas and re-establish dharma on earth. After his purpose was achieved, he surrendered his weapon and went into tapasya in Mahendra Mountain. According to Hindu scriptures, Parshuram still lives on earth and unlike the other Bhagawans, he is not worshipped as a Bhagawan. Parshuram Jayanti is considered an auspicious day for Hindus, to start new ventures. It is celebrated across the country with devotion and some people also perform charity on this day.

In Ramayana, Parshuram appeared in Sita’s swayamvar, when Ram broke Shiva’s bow to win Sita. He was angered at Shiva’s bow being broken, and appeared to punish Ram. But as soon as he realized that Ram was an avatar of Vishnu, he blessed the couple and went back into meditation.

In Mahabharata, Parshuram is known to be the guru of Bhishma, Dhronacharya and Karna. It was Parshuram who gave Sudarshan chakra to Krishna, for the virtue of righteousness in the world.

His appearance in various yugas signifies his immortality. It is believed that he is alive even today, and hence he is not revered as a Bhagawan.

CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS AND RITUALS:

This day has a distinct religious representation for Hindus. Treating Brahmins on this day is considered very beneficial. The day is also called as Akshay Tritiya and is known to be an auspicious day to commence anything.

• People wake up early in the morning and wear neat clothes like any other festival.
• People observe a day-long fast that begins on the night before the main day.
• Generally, one can eat fruits, drink milk or curd on Parshuram Jayanti vrat.
• People worship Bhagawan Vishnu on this day, Parshuram is not worshipped directly as he is believed to be immortal.
• Sacred Tulsi leaves, kumkum, chandan, milk and fruits are offered to Shri Hari.

It is said that keeping fast on this day blesses the person with a male child.

PUJA VIDHI AND VRAT KATHA:

Puja and prayer of Parshuram form of Shri Hari is done for blessings of wealth and property. Puja is mainly done when there is uttar phalguni nakshatra in Hindu month. It is considered highly beneficial to perform the puja when there is an amalgam of both the Krishna and Shukla paksha tithis. It is mainly performed after sunrise or during pradosh period (before sunrise)

Puja Vidhi:

• Worship is done in the north direction of the house.
• Place the image of Bhagawan Vishnu on a platform, covered with red cloth.
• Take a kalash, fill it with clean water and place 5 grains of moong dal in it.
• Cover the kalash top with coconut and place 5 Ashoka or mango leaves on the edge and then place the Kalash on red cloth near to Shri Hari murti.
• Start puja by worshipping Shri
• Ignite the bronze lamp with red oil.
• Offer Ashoka leaves, roli, Rock sugar (mishri).
• Offer dhoop, especially with Tagar flower.
• Offer bhog of jaggery. Jaggery roti is often offered in this puja, as bhog.
• Chant the mantra: Ohm Brahmakshtraya vignamahe, Kshatriyaantay dhimahi tanno Parshuramahprachodayat.
• After puja completion, bury or deposit the contents of kalash under a peepal

Special offerings like dried figs, to attain wealth and property, red coral beads for
financial stability is made on this day. People also write the name of their adversaries on bhoj patra, and offer it along with roli, to Parshuram, and burn it in order to attain victory over the enemy.

Katha:

Once, there was a king named Gadhi, who was the emperor of Kannauj city. He had a very beautiful daughter, Satyavati, whom he got married to Rishik, who was the son of Rishi Brighu. Once, Rishi Brighu visited Satyavati and granted her a boon. She asked for a brother. Rishi Brighu was very happy and blessed her mother and Satyavati, both, and gave her Charu (left over from hawan) to eat. She was advised to cuddle Gulhar tree and her mother to hug a peepal tree and then have the charu. When Satyavati’s mother came to know that Satyavati had also been given charu for a son, she exchanged her charu with Satayavati’s and ate it. Rishi Brhigu came to know about this deceit, and he informed Satyavati that she would get a son who would have qualities of Kshatriya because she ate the charu that was given for her mother. Her mother would have a son with qualities of Brahmin. On this, Satyavati prayed to rishi Bhrigu, that she should have a son with qualities of Brahmin only. Her grandson could have the qualities of kshatriya instead. Rishi Bhrigu blessed her with this desire.

After some time, Satyvati gave birth to Jamadagni who was a very wise saint. Saint Jamadagni got married to Renuka and they gave birth to 5 sons, the last one was Ram. As he was blessed with a divine weapon ‘parasu’ or axe, by Shiva, he was called Parshuram. Once, when Jamadagni wanted to do a yagya, he asked Renuka to collect some water from the banks of ganga. When she reached the bank, she saw Gandharvraj Chitrarath performing with apsaras. When Renuka saw the sight, she was enchanted. When she tried to take the water in her mud pot, the pot couldn’t hold the water as she was distracted by the sight of Chitrarath and apsaras. She returned home and apologized to rishi Jamadagni. However, Jamadagni was angered by Renuka’s distraction and punished her. He asked the 4 sons to kill her. Parshuram had gone into the forest while this incident took place. None of the sons could gather the courage to kill their own mother and refused to obey Jamadagni’s order. When Parshuram returned, he learnt about the entire incident and agreed to behead his mother and four brothers, as per the order of Jamadagni. He severed their heads and killed them all. Jamadagni was happy with the obedience of Parshuram and granted him a boon. Parshuram asked for life for his mother and four brothers. Jamadagni was pleased by Parshuram’s wisdom and brought Renuka and his four sons back to life. He also regretted his anger and took an oath to not get angry ever in life. Parshuram was also blessed that he could not be defeated in any battle and have immortality.

CELEBRATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY:

Parshuram Jayanti is celebrated by all Hindus across the country, especially, vaishnavas. Parshuram fought the advancing ocean, which was going to hit Kokan and Malabar, thus the area between Maharashtra and Karnataka is known as Parshuram Kshetra. The Parshuram temple in Chiplun (Maharashtra), is a well-known temple and every year, great celebrations are held on the occasion of Parshuram jayanti. Fasting, along with recitation of the Vishnu Shastranaam mantra, is considered very important.

BENEFITS OF CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL:

This day is considered very auspicious in Hinduism. Donation of food and other alms to Brahmins, is of great significance on the day of Parshuram Jayanti. Any important work done on this day, gives immediate fruitful results. A person with the desire of male kid also performs Parshuram Jayanti vrat. This day is considered very auspicious for starting new ventures, entering into partnerships, buying vehicles, buying a house, kalash puja in the new home or any other important commencement.