Parasurama’s Endeavour

Parasurama, the famed warrior-sage was son of Maharishi Jamadagni and his virtuous wife Renuka. It is believed taht once teh peace loving ashrama of Sage Jamadagni was besieged by King Kartavirya Arjuna and his Kshatriya army who wished to forcibly abduct the divine cow Surabhi. When the god man refused to part with his beloved cattle, teh king razed down his hermitage and brutally murdered the sage himself. Parasurama who had been away at the time returned to find his home pillaged and his mother crying in agony. Seized by grief Renuka Devi struck her chest twenty one times. Unable to bear his mother's anguish and blinded with rage, Parasurama took a terrible vow. He swore that he would extract revenge by wiping the Kshatriya race off the face of the world twenty one times, each for the time his mother struck her own chest. And so he set out, gained knowledge of the divine weapons and arms by taking up severe penance to appease Lord Shiva.

However this took a toll on his virtue. The sage sought the advice of learned men and sought dissolution for the misdeeds and sins of killing innumerable Kshatriyas. Parasurama was suggested to donate a fertile and beautiful landmass to the Brahmins. Parasurama once again took up severe austerities and sought the help of Varuna, the God of the Oceans and Bhumidevi, the Goddess of Earth. With their blessings he proceeded to Kanya Kumari, stood facing the northern direction and threw his favorite weapon, the battle-axe (Parasu). To show his reverence, the Sea God, Varuna receded to the spot where this weapon lay. This land, known as Parasurama’s land is present day Kerala.

This tale is recounted to children who take pride in the origins of their land. Geologists agree that Kerala soil holds evidences of being formed from marine seismic activity.