The festival of Parashurama Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Parashurama, who is considered sacred in Hinduism as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and has great religious significance. It occurs on the Tritiya Tithi of the brilliant lunar fortnight, Shukla Paksha, in the Vaishakha month. It is scheduled for Friday, May 10, 2024, this year.
Parashurama’s father was a guru and a descendant of Bhrigu Maharishi. He was born as the son of Jamadagni Rishi and Renuka Devi. Parashurama was well known for his unwavering devotion to Dharma and his deep respect for his father.
His incarnation was intended to relieve the Earth of its responsibilities and to usurp the world of its corrupt, tyrannical, and irreligious rulers. Parashurama’s acts demonstrate the significance of resisting injustice and defending Dharma since they were motivated by a feeling of duty rather than a personal grudge. Though he lived a warrior’s life, Parashurama was also a great scholar and teacher, teaching his students martial arts and weaponry.
It is well known that Parashurama, although born a Brahmin with traits similar to a Kshatriya, removed the Kshatriyas from Earth 21 times. The sad event between Jamadagni, Parashurama’s father, and Kamadhenu, a heavenly cow, opens the story. The Kshatriya king Kartavirya Arjuna coveted Kamadhenu and forcibly seized it from Jamadagni’s ashram. Taken aback by this deed, Parashurama swore to exact revenge on his father for his humiliation. He made a solemn pledge to destroy all Kshatriya rulers who misused their authority and turned away from Dharma, promising to use his powerful axe, Parashu, to destroy 21 generations of Kshatriyas.
Hindu texts state that Lord Parashurama would train Lord Kalki, who is the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in martial arts and give knowledge and skill in Shastra and Shaastra. Hindu scripture gives Lord Vishnu a prominent place.