A renowned Hindu mythological character Parshuram or Parshurama, who is the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is one of the Chiranjeeves to appear at the end of kali yoga to be the guru of Vishnu’s tenth and last avatar, Kalki. He appeared in Dvapara Yuga, and He was the son of Renuka and Jamadagni. According to Hindu legends, Parashurama was born to the Brahmin sage Jamadagni and his Kshatriya wife, Renuka, living in a hut. According to Hindu Puranas, there are believes that his birthplace believed to be on top of the Janapav hills in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.  His personality traits comprise aggression, warfare, courage, serenity, prudence, and patience. According to Hindu mythology, Vishu’s incarnation happens whenever evil forces prevail on the earth. Just like that Parshuram appeared, when the Kshatriya class began to abuse their power with weapons to take what belonged to others by force and tyrannizing people. He corrected the cosmic equilibrium by destroying these Kshatriya warriors. Parashuram is also the guru of Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Karna.

Now let’s dive into the story that tells us why Parshuram beheaded his mother:

According to Bhagavata Purana, the story goes like this. His mother, Renuka, could collect water in unbaked pots by the power of her abstinence. She had absolute devotion to her husband, and this was one of her renowned personality traits. One day, when she went to the river to fetch water. She saw a Gandharva (distinct heavenly being) bathing in the river. She felt sexually attracted to him and began to feel a strong sexual desire for his company.   This moment of infidelity (being unfaithful) took away all her magical powers. She completely lost her sense of time. She forgot that her husband (Parashuram’s father, Jamadahni) was waiting for her return. When Renuka returned, Renuka’ss husband learned of her adulterous intentions through his meditative powers. As a result, he becomes enraged and ordered his sons to behead her. His four eldest sons refused to do so as killing off a woman and that to their mother, which was considered a great sin. But at the same time, not obeying the orders of an elder, especially their father’s, is also a great offence. But Parashuram obeyed his father without any question. He was aware of the fact that his father possesses magical powers due to his meditation. Consequently, Parashuram raised his axe and severed her head from her body, ultimately killing his disloyal mother. Furthermore, Jamadagni ordered him to kill his brothers too for disobeying their father. Parashuram killed his brothers also. Pleased with the obedience of his son, he asked his son to ask for a boon. Parashuram said, ‘Give me back my mother and brothers.’ His father grants him the boon, which brings his mother and brothers back to life. 

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