What are the rituals to be performed on Parashuram Jayanti ?
The Lord Vishnu’s sixth incarnation was called Parshuram. Parshuram was an epitome in devotion and valor to his parents. He was a very obedient child of his father. Once his father fought with his mother and ordered him to kill her. He killed his mother to follow the saying of his father. After that Jamadagni asked him to bring his mother back. He very cleverly brought her back to life. That is how he showed devotion to his parents.
Kshatriya’s King was a cruel person, he killed Kama Dhenu and Jamadagni cow. Parshuram decided to kill all Kshatriyans to take revenge. All Kshatriyans started running away because of his terror and no one was there to protect the Earth. Because of all this Kashyap Muni ordered him to leave the area and start living in Mahendra mountain.
The birthday of Parshuram, that is on the third of Shukla Paksh in the month of Vaishakh, is called Parshu Rama Dwadashi or Akshaya Tritiya. People keep fast on this day stay at Brahmiok. They believe keeping fast on this day will help them to be reborn as a great king. It is also believed that all good done on this day helps in removing the sins of the past. It is said that this fast opens direct way to Treta Yug.
Birthday of Lord Parshuram is celebrated from the medieval period. It is mainly renowned in north India. It is celebrated by keeping fast, chanting mantras, and Satsang is held.
Who was Parashuram ?
Parashurama was the avatar of Lord Vishnu. His mother was a saptarishi named Renuka. He was the last Dvapara Yugas and treta yugas’ Hindu. He received his axe from Lord Shiva after praying to him for long time. He played a very important role in Ramayana and Mahabharata by giving his teachings to Bhishma, Karma and Drona.
Ravana’s son Indrajit and Parashurama were only human on earth that had three weapons namely Pashupatastra, Brahmada Astra and Vaishnava Astra. Parsshurama was a follower of Lord Shiva. He learned all arts of warfare and scriptures for him. Lord Shiva himself tought him the techniques of war. Lord Parshuram is also worshipped by the name ‘mulapurusa’. He was a founder of Chitpavan, Niyogi, Daivadnya, Devrukhe, Mohyal, Anavil, Nambudiri Brahmin and Tyagi communities. He was considered as one of the most famous rishis of Kaliyuga. It is said that he will reappear as tenth avtar of Lord Vishnu named Kalki.
What are the rituals of Parashuram Jayanti?
Following are the rituals that are followed on this day:-
- Fasts are kept one night before this day and continued till the next day. These are very hard fasts mainly kept by women. They pray for happy and prosperous lives of their families.
- Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. As Lord Parashurama is incarnation of Lord Vishu so they both are prayed together.
- Chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama is done, all night long without sleeping by the worshippers. People sing and dance all overnight to celebrate the Jayanti.
- People who worship on this day also make a donation of food to Sadhus and Brahmans.