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Normally the occupation of Brahmins
in India were that of teaching, priesthood,
officiating of sacrifices, performing of penaces
etc. But some of them were warriors. They also
taught the science of warfare. The Bhrigus or
Bhargavas were one among the warrior class of
Bhrahmins. Their main weapon was battle-axe which in
Sanskrit was known as Parasu. Hence Bhargava
Rama was popular in the name Parasu-Rama.Parasurama
got his name Parasu since his favourate weaon was
axe or parusu in sanskrit. His original name is
Bhargava Rama Bhargava is also the first name of
many indians especially from the south India (Mostly
brahmins)
Parashurama, a Brahman or Parasurama the sixth
avatar of Vishnu, belongs to the Treta yuga, and is
the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. Parashu means axe,
hence his name literally means Rama-with-the-axe. He
received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance
to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of
warfare and other skills. He fought the advancing
ocean back thus saving the lands of Konkan and
Malabar (Maharashtra - Karnataka - Kerala
coastline). The coastal area of Kerala state along
with the Konkan region, i.e., coastal Maharashtra
and Karnataka, is known as Parashurama Kshetra (Parashurama's
area). Some say it extends all the way to Mumbai in
Maharashtra. Parashurama is said to be a "Brahma-Kshatriya"
(of the duty between a Brahmana and a Kshatriya),
the first warrior saint and a descendant of the
Brahmarshi Vishvamitra. |