"What curse did Parshuram's mother Renuka, receive from her husband, Rishi Jamdagni? How did Parshuram receive the boon of immortality (Chiranjivi)? Why is the great story of Parshuram's devotion to his father so famous?"
"Shri Parashurama's Devotion to His Father"
(श्री परशुराम जी की पितृ-भक्ति):
The Filial Devotion of Shri Parashurama
Once, Sage Jamadagni was engaged in a religious discussion at home with his five sons. They were talking about the creation of the universe, its maintenance, dissolution, measurements, and cycles of time. They also discussed the incarnations of God, the various Manus, and the duties of the ages (Yuga Dharma).
Goddess Renuka, his wife, was also participating in this discourse. Such spiritual discussions and storytelling were a regular occurrence in the sage’s household. In a household of such a detached, supremely austere, and realized sage, what else could the daily routine be?
At the conclusion of the discourse, the five sons went to the forest to gather sacred materials like Samidha (twigs) and Kusha grass for the rituals. Mother Renuka also left to bathe in the river. While returning, humming gently, “Tulsa Maharani Namo Namo, Hari Ki Patarani Namo Namo,” her gaze suddenly became fixed on a scene across the river. On the other side, the Gandharva king of the Yārtikāvarta region, Chitraratha, was playing in the water with his wife, adorned with fragrant lotus flowers and divine scents.
The young royal couple was indulging in passionate play, unrestrained and heedless of propriety. Such an open display of sensuality could not only attract but also corrupt any observer — this is natural. Renuka kept watching the scene, and her mind was affected. A thought of sensual pleasure arose in her, and she sat in the water, overwhelmed by those desires. When her mind settled again, she returned to the ashram, albeit delayed.
Sage Jamadagni asked why she had taken so long to return from bathing. She remained silent, unsure of what to say. But the sage, being a trikaladarshi (seer of all three times), knew everything through his spiritual power. He decided to punish his wife, thinking: Even when a cause for distraction arises, the minds of discerning and powerful people should remain unaffected. If it doesn’t, what makes them different?
Just then, all five sons returned from the forest with the ritual materials. The sage thought this was a good opportunity to test their filial devotion. He believed that there should be no hesitation in following the orders of one’s father, mother, or teacher.
He called his eldest son, Vasu, and loudly commanded, “Son, kill this sinful woman. She has sinned in her mind today.” Vasu stood silent, thinking: We’ve been taught ‘Matru Devo Bhava’ (Mother is like God) before ‘Pitru Devo Bhava’ (Father is like God). Mother comes first, then father. I cannot obey this command. It would be a grave sin. But how can I disobey Father directly? That would be arrogance. So he remained silent.
The sage summoned the remaining sons one by one and gave the same order. But all four elder sons stood stunned and silent. No one dared to carry out the order, all overcome with devotion to their mother. The sage was furious: These four have blatantly disobeyed me. Why hesitate in following my command? Am I not a knower of dharma? Do I lack the wisdom to give proper orders? My command should have been obeyed immediately, without doubt. In anger, he cursed all four sons: “Because you disobeyed my command and stood dumb as if mute and deaf, may you become senseless and speechless like mutes.”
Then came the turn of the youngest son, Parashurama. The sage called him and gave the same command: “Son, kill this unfortunate sinner of a mother, and do not feel any regret in your heart.” Parashurama, without hesitation, took his sharp axe and struck off his mother's head.
Sage Jamadagni was deeply satisfied to see that his youngest son had carried out such a dreadful order immediately and completely. He said joyfully, “Son, you have done an impossible task that no one else in the world could do. I am pleased with you. Ask for any boon you wish.”
Parashurama respectfully requested, “Father, if you wish to grant me a boon, first, please bring my revered mother back to life and ensure that she remembers nothing of this incident. Second, cleanse her completely of the mental sin. Third, restore my four brothers to their original, healthy state.”
Overjoyed, the sage granted all three boons and embraced Parashurama. He declared, “You possess the true understanding of what is and isn’t your duty. You performed this act without hesitation, without selfish desire or concern for the result. Your fame will grow. In the age of Kali too, people will look up to your life as an example and will remain virtuous. Your name shall live forever.”
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All creation emerged from Lord Narayana. From his navel-lotus was born Lord Brahma, and thus the universe came into being, originally pure and sattvic (goodness-based).
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Later, as passion (rajas) and darkness (tamas) increased, other beings such as Kshatriyas emerged. Of these, the Suryavansha (Solar Dynasty) and Chandravansha (Lunar Dynasty) became prominent, with Lord Rama born in the Solar Line, and Lord Krishna in the Lunar.
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Among the Saptarishis (seven sages) was Atri, whose sons were Durvasa, Dattatreya, and Chandra (the Moon). From Atri's eyes, the Moon (Chandra) was born — cool, radiant, and eventually made lord of stars, herbs, and Brahmins.
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Chandra became arrogant and forcefully took Tara, the wife of Guru Brihaspati. Despite pleas, he refused to return her.
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This led to a devastating war between the gods and demons. Chandra, now corrupt, sided with the demons. Shukracharya (guru of demons) supported him, while Shiva and the gods stood by Brihaspati.
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Eventually, Brahma intervened and ordered the war to stop. Tara was returned to Brihaspati but was found to be pregnant.
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Both Brihaspati and Chandra wanted the child. When asked, Tara initially said nothing. Finally, she privately revealed to Brahma that Chandra was the father. The child was named Budha (Mercury), known for his intelligence.
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Budha later married Ila, a unique offspring of Manu who was both male and female. From Budha and Ila came Pururava, a famous and powerful king.
