Karthaveeryarjuna

[Guest guest]

KARTHAVEERYARJUNA, the ruler of HEHAYA was a great king. He got boons

from Datta AatrEya and other deities to become invincible. Puffed

with ego due to the newfound powers acquired by him, he became

tyrannical and began tormenting every one. Once, he even tried to

confront Ravana, the ruler of Lanka but was defeated and so he made

truce with him. With a thousand arms, with weapons and power, with a

powerful ally in Ravana, nothing could stop

him from his evil ways.

 

It is to quell Karthaveerya and his ilk and to protect the righteous

from his claws that Lord Vishnu descended down to earth and was born

as BHARGAVA RAMA the youngest of the five sons of Jamadagni and

Renuka. Jamadagni's

father was RISHIKAN who married a Kshatriya girl SATYAVATI, daughter

of one KHADI. Because of this Varna sangaraha (mixing up of castes)

and other circumstances, BHARGAVA Rama though born as a Brahmin

exhibited Kshatriya traits and had a liking for weapons, archery etc.

Indeed, his favorite weapon was an axe, which he got as a gift from

Siva. Parasu means Axe. Hence, he was called PARASU RAMA.

 

Once, when the five brothers had gone out, Karthaveeryaarjuna entered

the hermitage of Jamadagni and demanded food for himself and his

retinue. With the help of Kaamadhenu, Jamadagni got food prepared for

the host of guests.

Karthaveerya knowing this demanded Kaamadhenu. But, Jamadagni would

not part with it. The king forcibly took away the cow and the calf.

 

When PARASU RAMA learnt of the incident, he marched towards

MAHISHMATI, the capital of the king. The king dispatched 17

battalions of Ratha (Chariots) Gaja (elephantry), Turaga (Cavalry)

and Pathadhi (infantry) each one called an Akshouhini. Single-handed,

PARASURAMA destroyed the entire lot and then cut off the thousand

arms of Kaarthaveerya and killed him with his axe. Retrieving

Kaamadhenu and her calf, he returned to the hermitage where life was

proceeding peacefully for some time.

 

On another occasion, Renuka who went to fetch water from a nearby

river happened to see some celestial Devas playing. Since her

attention was distracted, it became too late when she returned with

the water required. Jamadagni got angry and asked his sons to behead

her. But, none would carry out his commands. Then entered PARASU RAMA

when his father ordered him to behead not only Renuka but also his

brothers. Without hesitation, PARASU RAMA carried out the orders.

Pleased, the father asked what boons he wanted.

 

All that PARASU RAMA wanted was that his mother and brothers should

come alive and be oblivious of whatever had happened. Jamadagni

granted the boon and they did come alive and life was again peaceful

at the hermitage.

 

But, not for long.

 

Kaarthaveerya's sons stormed the hermitage to avenge the death of

their father Only Jamadagni and Renuka were there at that time,

Ignoring the pleadings of Renuka, they cut off the head of Jamadagni

who was deep in meditation. Renuka was beside with grief and was

crying aloud as PARASU RAMA returned. She beat her breast 21 times.

PARASU RAMA vowed that he would wipe out 21 generations of Kshatriyas

and proceeded to do the `Samskaras' for his father. Jamadagni gained

the realm of the seven Rishis (Saptarishi mandalam). PARASU RAMA

carried out his vow, wrested the land and properties of Kshatriyas

and finally gave them away to sage KASYAPA and retired to the

southwest corner of India. Swami Sri Vedanta Desika describes him

as 'ROSHA RAMA' (Indignant Rama)

 

When, Parasu Rama confronted Dasaratha who was returning from Mithila

after the wedding of Rama and Sita, RAMA the AVATAR took back all the

powers of PARASURAMA since the purpose of PARASURAMA AVATAR was

completed.

 

Parasurama threw his axe into the western ocean. The ocean receded

upto the point where the axe fell and the land so reclaimed is known

as Parasurama Kshetram. Scholars say that modern Kerala is this

Kshetram.

 

This Avatar is not a direct Avatar. Lord Vishnu entered the soul of a

Brahmin son of Jamadagni (By Avesa or Anupravesa). Of the 10 Avatars,

except Parasurama avatar all the others are Amsa avatars (i.e.)

Direct descent of Lord Vishnu

 

COMMENTS:

 

1. We can find shells called " Kilinjals " in Kerala even today to

substantiate this event.

2. It may be noted that in the entire Stotra, this is the only one

having some details of the story.

3. Abhramanyam apaakarothu: = This is the shrill call usually

signaled whenever anything was noticed against the SAtvika Brahmins

in those days.

Amaram says-

" Abhrahmanyam avadhyokthaih "

4. This story shows that gifting landed property (Bhoo daanam) was

the greatest gift.

5. It also shows that Brahmins are born not only take Daanam but they

also give Daanam.

6. Yet another lesson is that one should not desire to stay on land

already gifted away.

7. Sam tharpayishyan = This refers " Tarpanam " made with blood

(Kurudhi Tarpanam)

8. Tris sapta krutva = 3 x 7= 21 times his mother beat her breasts

and he vowed to destroy 21 generations of Kshatriyas.

9. Bhagavaan Munih = Nowhere else has this peculiar expression

of " Muni " employed. Why? To denote that this was not a Poorna Avatara

but only an AavEsa Avatara, in which the Lord entered the soul of a

Muni.

10. In 12th Sloka, SD refers to this Avatara as " ROsha

Rama " . " ROsham " does not mean mere anger but the spirit of revenge

for injustice, which is a natural instinctive response of a

Kshatriya. As will be seen from the story, though he was born in a

Brahmin household, due to some circumstances, he acquired the

characteristics of a Kshatriya.

[Guest guest]

Dear sir,

Your posting was interesting to read but one doubt sir.

In this you mention Karthaveerarujuna's thousand hands were cut by

Parasurama but elsewhere it is given that Lord Datatteray cut his

thousand arms, which is correct?

What is the sginificance of thousand arms?

 

M.Sathyadev

 

Smarthrugaami-Dattavaibhavam , " rompellarajesh "

<rompellarajesh wrote:

>

> KARTHAVEERYARJUNA, the ruler of HEHAYA was a great king. He got

boons

> from Datta AatrEya and other deities to become invincible. Puffed

> with ego due to the newfound powers acquired by him, he became

> tyrannical and began tormenting every one. Once, he even tried to

> confront Ravana, the ruler of Lanka but was defeated and so he made

> truce with him. With a thousand arms, with weapons and power, with

a

> powerful ally in Ravana, nothing could stop

> him from his evil ways.

>

> It is to quell Karthaveerya and his ilk and to protect the

righteous

> from his claws that Lord Vishnu descended down to earth and was

born

> as BHARGAVA RAMA the youngest of the five sons of Jamadagni and

> Renuka. Jamadagni's

> father was RISHIKAN who married a Kshatriya girl SATYAVATI,

daughter

> of one KHADI. Because of this Varna sangaraha (mixing up of castes)

> and other circumstances, BHARGAVA Rama though born as a Brahmin

> exhibited Kshatriya traits and had a liking for weapons, archery

etc.

> Indeed, his favorite weapon was an axe, which he got as a gift from

> Siva. Parasu means Axe. Hence, he was called PARASU RAMA.

>

> Once, when the five brothers had gone out, Karthaveeryaarjuna

entered

> the hermitage of Jamadagni and demanded food for himself and his

> retinue. With the help of Kaamadhenu, Jamadagni got food prepared

for

> the host of guests.

> Karthaveerya knowing this demanded Kaamadhenu. But, Jamadagni would

> not part with it. The king forcibly took away the cow and the calf.

>

> When PARASU RAMA learnt of the incident, he marched towards

> MAHISHMATI, the capital of the king. The king dispatched 17

> battalions of Ratha (Chariots) Gaja (elephantry), Turaga (Cavalry)

> and Pathadhi (infantry) each one called an Akshouhini. Single-

handed,

> PARASURAMA destroyed the entire lot and then cut off the thousand

> arms of Kaarthaveerya and killed him with his axe. Retrieving

> Kaamadhenu and her calf, he returned to the hermitage where life

was

> proceeding peacefully for some time.

>

> On another occasion, Renuka who went to fetch water from a nearby

> river happened to see some celestial Devas playing. Since her

> attention was distracted, it became too late when she returned with

> the water required. Jamadagni got angry and asked his sons to

behead

> her. But, none would carry out his commands. Then entered PARASU

RAMA

> when his father ordered him to behead not only Renuka but also his

> brothers. Without hesitation, PARASU RAMA carried out the orders.

> Pleased, the father asked what boons he wanted.

>

> All that PARASU RAMA wanted was that his mother and brothers should

> come alive and be oblivious of whatever had happened. Jamadagni

> granted the boon and they did come alive and life was again

peaceful

> at the hermitage.

>

> But, not for long.

>

> Kaarthaveerya's sons stormed the hermitage to avenge the death of

> their father Only Jamadagni and Renuka were there at that time,

> Ignoring the pleadings of Renuka, they cut off the head of

Jamadagni

> who was deep in meditation. Renuka was beside with grief and was

> crying aloud as PARASU RAMA returned. She beat her breast 21 times.

> PARASU RAMA vowed that he would wipe out 21 generations of

Kshatriyas

> and proceeded to do the `Samskaras' for his father. Jamadagni

gained

> the realm of the seven Rishis (Saptarishi mandalam). PARASU RAMA

> carried out his vow, wrested the land and properties of Kshatriyas

> and finally gave them away to sage KASYAPA and retired to the

> southwest corner of India. Swami Sri Vedanta Desika describes him

> as 'ROSHA RAMA' (Indignant Rama)

>

> When, Parasu Rama confronted Dasaratha who was returning from

Mithila

> after the wedding of Rama and Sita, RAMA the AVATAR took back all

the

> powers of PARASURAMA since the purpose of PARASURAMA AVATAR was

> completed.

>

> Parasurama threw his axe into the western ocean. The ocean receded

> upto the point where the axe fell and the land so reclaimed is

known

> as Parasurama Kshetram. Scholars say that modern Kerala is this

> Kshetram.

>

> This Avatar is not a direct Avatar. Lord Vishnu entered the soul of

a

> Brahmin son of Jamadagni (By Avesa or Anupravesa). Of the 10

Avatars,

> except Parasurama avatar all the others are Amsa avatars (i.e.)

> Direct descent of Lord Vishnu

>

> COMMENTS:

>

> 1. We can find shells called " Kilinjals " in Kerala even today to

> substantiate this event.

> 2. It may be noted that in the entire Stotra, this is the only one

> having some details of the story.

> 3. Abhramanyam apaakarothu: = This is the shrill call usually

> signaled whenever anything was noticed against the SAtvika Brahmins

> in those days.

> Amaram says-

> " Abhrahmanyam avadhyokthaih "

> 4. This story shows that gifting landed property (Bhoo daanam) was

> the greatest gift.

> 5. It also shows that Brahmins are born not only take Daanam but

they

> also give Daanam.

> 6. Yet another lesson is that one should not desire to stay on land

> already gifted away.

> 7. Sam tharpayishyan = This refers " Tarpanam " made with blood

> (Kurudhi Tarpanam)

> 8. Tris sapta krutva = 3 x 7= 21 times his mother beat her breasts

> and he vowed to destroy 21 generations of Kshatriyas.

> 9. Bhagavaan Munih = Nowhere else has this peculiar expression

> of " Muni " employed. Why? To denote that this was not a Poorna

Avatara

> but only an AavEsa Avatara, in which the Lord entered the soul of a

> Muni.

> 10. In 12th Sloka, SD refers to this Avatara as " ROsha

> Rama " . " ROsham " does not mean mere anger but the spirit of revenge

> for injustice, which is a natural instinctive response of a

> Kshatriya. As will be seen from the story, though he was born in a

> Brahmin household, due to some circumstances, he acquired the

> characteristics of a Kshatriya.

>