Parashurama Jayanthi...

6th in the line of Dasavatharas, Parashurama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to Sage Jamadagni (one of the Saptha Rishis) and Renuka in Tretha Yuga. Born in the clan of Sage Bhrigu he is also known as Bhargavarama. He derived his name as Parashurama from his weapon called Parashu (axe).  In sloka # 61 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram, Lord Vishnu is described as Khanda-Parashuh; Parashurama the axe wielder.  He is the one with a punishing axe.  The power of that axe was so immense that all Kshathriyas who were arrogant were destroyed by it. He is the Lord wielding the invincible axe which was like a thunderbolt.  We come across the character of Parashurama in the epics Ramayana and Maha Bharatha. He is one of the seven immortals (Saptha Chiranjeevi). Bheeshma, Drona and Karna of Mahabharatha fame were his disciples. Lord Parashurama was known for his ardent devotion towards his parents.

Known for his valor and aggression Lord Parashurama killed the evil minded Kshathriyas 21 times to protect the world from their oppression and to suppress their pride and arrogance. He later donated the land thus acquired to Brahmins and created a new land by pushing Samudra back throwing his arrow.  The area of land thus acquired came to be known as Parashurama Kshethra (Parashurama Srushti) which is believed to be the region between Arabian Sea and the western Ghats stretching from Nasik in Maharashtra up to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu covering the coastal belt of Kerala along with the Konkan region of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. 

Vaisakha Sukla Thrutheeya is celebrated as Parashurama Jayanthi the day Lord Vishnu took the avathara of Parashurama.  On this day Maha Vishnu is to be worshipped during Pradosha time (1½ hrs before sunset) in the form of Parashurama and Arghya to be given with the following sloka…

Jamadagnisutho Veera Kshatriaanthakara Prabho!

Gruhaanaarghyam Mayaa Dattam Krupayaa Parameswara!!

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu