Day 6 and 7, July 29 and 30, Parashuramavatara
Parashurama incarnated on Vaishaka shukla tritiya. This day is popularly known as Akshaya tritiya. This is a frenzy incarnation. Akshaya tritiya is more famous for buying gold. We should practice both buying and donate. Parashurama incarnation and victory made this day auspicious. Why are Parashurama and the charity so closely knitted? Parashurama won the entire earth by killing all the egoistic kings and donated it to the revered sage Kashyapa rishi. According to Parashurama, residing on the land given away as charity is unrighteousness. Hence, using His axe He brought up a piece of land from the sea and resided there. The land Parashurama lifted from the sea is known as Kerala. It is also believed that Parashurama still resides there. Parashurama donated the entire land won by Him to Kashyapa rishi on Akshara tritiya. Hence, on Akshaya tritiya it is customary to buy gold. It is widely believed that the gold brought on that day is inexhaustible. On such auspicious day, practicing of both buying and donating is appreciative. Gold is preferred because it is a precious, sacred, and pricey metal.
In Ramayana we see Parashurama in a divine form. The word Parashu- axe is part of Parashurama’s name. Parashu means axe. Yati’s carry a stick with them all the time. A cloth is tied to top end of the stick in the form of an axe. A yati should carry such stick with a firm belief that it is a God given stick to firmly refute unrighteousness. Parashurama is born in Bhrigu maharshi dynasty. Being a son of Jamadagni, He is called Jamadagnyaha. Parashurama is always accompanied by an axe and a bow. Parashurama demonstrates both the penance – brahma radiance and valour- Kshatriya radiance at the same time. Parashurama is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and it further signifies that Parashurama destructs the six passions of mind or desire. It is believed that praying to Parashurama will not only remove the obstacles sown by our ill-wishes in our walk along the righteous path, but also grants us the win over the six internal enemies. Parashurama has both Naga and Sudarshana amshas- instances. Just as we pray Sudarshana to destruct our enemies, we must pray Parashurama. We remember Lord Datta just as we speak about Parashurama. Parashurama is closer to all our Datta devotees. Parashurama is present in Guru Lineage.
Lord Datta preached Tripura rahasyam to Parashurama. Lord Datta has preached to both Parashurama and Sage Shantatapa with the intention of spreading His message to the world. Parashurama got rid of all the egoistic kings and established righteousness again. He made necessary arrangements for all humans to walk on a good path. In Nam Dattanatha kshetra, we are taking about both Datta charitra and Parashurama. Parashurama incarnation is the root cause for the discourse for Dashavataras. In the initial stages of the discourse, many of the devotees were confused why well-known topics are being told. As the Dashavataras incarnation discourse moved forward, all were surprised with the disclosure of many unknown secrets and specialties. Such are those incarnations. God came close to us taking these incarnations. It makes it that more important for us to constantly ponder over them. One more incarnation namely Kalki is yet to come. We must express our deepest gratitude towards God for His untiring efforts in taking so many incarnations only for us. Not remembering Him will only be accounted as our ungratefulness towards Him.
A person who forgets the help received, the donor of the food, the parents, the Guru, the village where one took birth and grown up, the teachers who imparted education, the spiritual teacher, and the person who cheats the well-wishers or one who helps him in need, one does not know which kind of hell they will go to. Speaking about Parashurama such sins will be washed away. That is why we are speaking about the Parashurama incarnation.
Parashurama went around the world 21 times with His axe and killed all the egoistic kings. Here Parashurama is prayed thinking Him to be Krishna. Whenever ego grows, Parashurama incarnates to destroy it. It is the tattva of His incarnation. Prostrations to Parashurama. Lord Datta is mentioned in Parashurama incarnation for introduction of Kartavirya Arjuna. Being the son of Krutaveera, He was named as Kartavirya Arjuna. Kartavirya Arjuna was born with non-functioning hands and legs. There came a time where He was to be sworn as a king but Kartavirya Arjuna refused the kingdom. He attributed his refusal towards the non-functioning limbs. We must always be in the company of elders – those who are elder in age, penance and knowledge.
We often under-estimate the value of these learned ones saying they do not know about internet and mobile phones. It is a very wrong perception. The experiences they possess come only with time. It cannot be learned and compensated with anything. Their intellect accumulates all the lessons that time has taught them. We must take the advice of the above mentioned leaned persons and engage ourselves in good activities. We must pray God to bless us with such good company of learned persons. One who gives a good advice and makes us tread on good path is a true friend. We must always choose friends who study better than we do, who cultivate interest in education, one who relieves us of bad thoughts, one who saves us from sins. Shastras gives us guidelines about friendship. Those who are superior in knowledge, who are well educated and tell good things, here their age is not to be concerned. Here only their upadesha is of sole importance. Those who are elder in penance – who do their stipulated rituals constantly, we need the company of such people. Aged and elderly people are most important in our lives. This is the root principle to correct our lives.
Garga maharshi told Kartavirya Arjuna about Lord Datta that His abode is Sahyadri. Garga maharshi instructed Kartavirya Arjuna to go to Sahyadri, pray, and serve Lord Datta. Sahyadri teaches us tolerance just as Venkatadri removes our sins. I have travelled to Sahyadri in recent times. Lord Datta teaches and tests our tolerance. Lord Datta is there in every part of Sahyadri. Even today, He roams in Sahyadri.
Mahuri Pura Bhikshasi Shahyasai Digambaraha !!
Lord Datta rests in Sahyadri that enhances our tolerance. Each mountain has an inner meaning. We must inculcate that quality in us when we visit such sacred mountains. Sahyadri indicates and encourages us to increase tolerance in order to obtain priceless grace of Sadguru. Garga muni tells Kartavirya Arjuna a secret pertaining to Lord Datta. Garga maharshi says Lord Datta is not easily accessible/ available. He is omnipresent so none is sure about His physical whereabouts. Datta will show you many forms. Some of them appear to be gross. Some forms will make you lose devotion and respect towards Him. His behavior will prompt you to address His name in singular. Kartavirya Arjuna, be careful about your opinion on lord Datta. None can predict His behaviors at any given instance. Kartavirya Arjuna, He may not bless you for ages, so be tolerant and continue your service and worship towards Him. Do not come back until you have earned His grace. I will tell you a secret. Lord Datta likes the name Anagha. Anagha means the one who is free from sins and the one who removes the sins. Worship Lord Datta with the name Anagha. Now go. May you be victorious and earn full grace of Guru.
Kartavirya Arjuna went to Sahyadri all alone, leaving behind all the luxuries. In the initial stages he could not identify Lord Datta. He enquired around with all the disciples, devotees of Datta but none answered. All of them were either silent or chanted the mantra Jaya Guru Datta as an answer to Kartavirya Arjuna’s queries. Further, they asked him to find it out on his own just as they did it on their own. Kartavirya Arjuna did spiritual practice and finally managed to identify lord Datta. Lord Datta was happy that Kartavirya Arjuna has crossed the first step. The worship and service of Kartavirya Arjuna did not melt Lord Datta‘s heart. With tolerance, Kartavirya Arjuna endured all the irritation and physical violence enacted by lord Datta. Kartavirya Arjuna was determined to earn Datta’s grace.
The question is why so many difficulties or say tests. This is Sahyadri. It will enhance your tolerance. Who knows if you will maintain your composure after you get the boons you wanted. Datta is training Kartavirya Arjuna. One day Datta kicked Kartavirya Arjuna hard. Kartavirya Arjuna broke his hands and legs but was not depressed or pained. Kartavirya Arjuna surrendered his head on to the Lotus Feet of Lord Datta and prayed. Lord Datta was impressed with the devotion of Kartavirya Arjuna. Lord Datta said “Kartavirya Arjuna, you chanted my name as Anagha, so I bless you. To get my fullest blessings do Anagha Vratam. I will grant you all the boons you ask for without any more worship, but you will be more happy and satisfied when you get the fruit after employing your efforts. I will bless you with all you wanted”.
Today all of you have done the Anagha Vratam. The coincidence of this story and the Anagha Vratam done in ashram is definitely Lord Datta’s grace.
Lord Datta then blessed Kartavirya Arjuna with all the boons he wanted. Kartavirya Arjuna asked the boons
1. I should be able to read the minds of the people
2. I should be fully aware of all the unrighteous incidents and go to that place just as they happen.
3. No one should obstruct my way to whatever place I want to go give me such an airplane.
4. I should be able to take different forms and make people tread on the righteous path. Give me such energy.
5. Give me 1000 hands.
6. You must kill me in my final stages of my life and then dissolve me in you.
7. With all these boons, I may become egoistic, in such circumstances; you must come and redeem me.
Lord Datta happily agreed and gave all the boons Kartavirya Arjuna asked for. Meanwhile Datta made a sankalpa that he would kill Kartavirya Arjuna in the form of Parashurama and dissolve him in Him.
According to Vishnu dharmottara purana, lord Datta, Chandra and durvasa muni have taken birth. We are all Datta devotees. It is mandatory for us to know the tattva of lord Datta. It will help us to gain his grace.
When the Veda dharma is not being studied and practiced in stipulated fashion, then lord Datta for the benefit and welfare of worlds uplifted the Veda dharma. Madhusudhana incarnated as lord Datta and established Veda dharma. Vishnu instance is more in lord Datta. Even though Lord Datta has the Brahma and Rudra instances, Vishnu instance is predominant. We have spoken about this previously.
When unrighteousness was on rise, when telling lies was prevalent and none was interested in knowing the truth, Lord Datta incarnated.
The people were perishing. Nobody knew reasons behind the difficulties they were facing. At this time, Datta came and guided the humans into the righteous path. When we are not able to succeed in fields of education or business, we must check the mistakes made in due course and do adequate compensation.
Datta initiated humans into doing good deeds and follow righteous code of conduct.
The four Varna Ashrams were installed up Datta.
Datta did upadesha of the dharma to people of each Varna Ashram dharma respectively.
There was famine everywhere. Once lord Datta went to a place, now called mount Abu in Rajasthan to perform penance. The penance was done for 300 years. After completing the penance, while returning, Datta was surprised to see the land was as if a desert and not greener as it was when He went to do penance. While analyzing the reason, Datta found a wolf crying out of hunger. He gave His satvika food to the wolf. The wolf did not eat it. Then He manifested spicy food and gave, but the wolf did not eat it. Then Datta took the meat of his thigh portion and gave it to the wolf. Tears rolled down the eyes of the wolf. It kept staring at Datta for His liberal grace, but did not eat the meat. Such is the grace of Datta. Seeing this sacrifice, the wolf changed and did not eat the meat. Then Datta made a provisional order. My temple will be built here. After naivedyam, the first food offering should be made to a wolf. A well was dug up for distributing Prasadam to Wolfs. Generally Wolfs do not eat sweet. They smell and go away. But here when the Prasadam is kept in a well and the bell is rung, many wolfs suddenly appear from nowhere, eat the Prasadam and disappear in the same way. Many people are witness to this incident. I wanted to go there many times but somehow it did not happen. Maybe this time it will happen. I will make an application to lord Datta via Nam Dattatreya Swami. The place is known as kala dungar. This is a very sacred place. Lord Datta incarnated to save us from famine and premature death.
Lord Datta gave back the previous glory to the earth.
Upon the destruction of impurity and unrighteousness on this earth, both king and the subjects will walk on the righteous path. Then the earth will be affluent. After ensuring all these things, Lord Datta went to Prayaga for penance. Lord Datta is omnipresent. He is there in Sahyadri, Prayaga, Mysore Datta peetham, and all the Datta Kshetras. Vishnu dharmottara purana says He has established a hermitage in Prayaga and stays there.
Kartavirya Arjuna was doing well as king but he made one mistake. In the war between the demons and the demigods, the demons were losing. They came to Kartavirya Arjuna and prayed for shelter and protection. Kartavirya Arjuna readily agreed and gave them shelter. Kartavirya Arjuna gave shelter to ill-natured people. This is a big mistake. All the demi- gods prayed God to save them from the pain and situation that raised out of Kartavirya Arjuna sheltering and protecting the demons. In ignorance, Kartavirya Arjuna did friendship with Ravana. Kartavirya Arjuna did wrong friendships and he had to be killed. We must be very careful of the company of ill-natured people.
God responded to the prayers of the demi gods. He said He would kill Kartavirya Arjuna in the Parashurama incarnation. The Parashurama incarnation is a peculiar incarnation. Gadhi king marries off his daughter to Rucheeka maharshi. In the old days, there was a tremendous science especially in the procreation of progeny. There is a peculiar description of progeny procreation procedures in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, and other epics. 60,000 children were born to a single woman. Such things are beyond imagination. Such impossible topics have been described in a lucid way. It only means that they had the knowledge of science that we do not know it now. This science depends upon our qualities and deeds.
Gadhi king had a daughter, but no son. Both Gadhi queen and her daughter prayed to Rucheeka maharshi for progeny. Rucheeka muni conducted a yagna to fulfill the desire of the mother and daughter. I am of the opinion that research should be conducted in this topic. Unless scientifically explained, we will not understand. Keeping in mind that Gadhi king is of the warrior caste, he bless the prasadam to Gadhi queen to conceive a warrior caste son. To his wife who is the daughter of Gadhi king, is given Prasadam to conceive a son with Brahma splendour. Mother says to her daughter that she is interested in conceiving a son with Brahma splendor, so asks for the Prasadam allotted to the daughter. The daughter happily gave away the Prasadam allotted to her. The Prasadam were exchanged. Rucheeka maharshi came to know of these latest developments and was angry that both the mother and the daughter did not realize the values of the Prasadam. Even though you have the same disease as the other person, the medical prescription of that person should not be used by you. It will not give you good health. Medication is tailor made to each patient.
Rucheeka maharshi cursed that his wife would conceive a son with warrior caste quality and his mother-in-law would conceive a son with brahma splendour. Both mother and daughter pleaded Rucheeka maharshi to give concession to the curse. Rucheeka maharshi blesses his wife with a concession that she would give birth to a child with Brahma splendor but her grandson will be with warrior caste qualities. The Gadhi couple was blessed with a son named Vishwamitra. Even though he was born with warrior caste qualities, he did penance and earned the Brahma splendour.
Vishwamitra is synonymous with penance. He gave Gayatri mantra to this world. Vishwamitra realized the fact that we cannot win the world with wars. Even if the world is won, certainly God’s heart cannot be won with war. He made this upadesha to us. Vishwamitra maharshi proved to the world that one could attain peace only with penance. Vishwamitra means friend to the world. Grammar was redefined a bit to define his name. The new principle “mitre cha rushow” was born. Rucheeka maharshi’s wife – Satyavathi was blessed with a son named as Jamadagni maharshi. Parashurama is son of this Jamadagni maharshi. Thus, the foretelling of Rucheeka maharshi came true. That is how Parashurama always carries an axe and held on the warrior caste dharma. The attributes of His birth are essentially the pre dispositions of the past life. This is the reason why children should be taught good qualities. Good qualities are preferred more than riches. The above story defines this principle.
Jamadagni maharshi got married to Renuka, the daughter of Renu maharshi. Renuka mata in Mahur is revered as one of the deities of the Ashtadasha Shakti peethas. There are three mountains in Mahur. They are Renukadri, Anasuyadri – the place of Datta incarnation, Anjanadri- place of Hanuman incarnation. God is there everywhere. Does it matter where He incarnates? Faith gives fruit unlike doubts. In spirituality, faith works. In material world, knowledge is gained by questioning. If spirituality doubts are unending, we have to put a full stop to those doubts to gain God’s grace. Some people have doubts regarding previous and future birth. Both of them exist just as current birth exists. We have not gained the body arbitrarily. To a person with a proper intellect, the reasoning that this birth is only for food is of no avail. There is some secret. That secret is the previous and future birth. To humans, the main goal is salvation. We should keep this in mind and do spiritual practice. If one believes that this is the only birth, then there is no need for spirituality at all. We are doing spiritual practice to unravel the hidden secret. That secret is this birth lineage.
The place of incarnation of Datta and Parashurama are the same. The stories of Vashista and Vishwamitra in the Ramayana and the story between the Jamadagni and Kartavirya Arjuna here, highlight the reverential aspect associated with the holy cow. These stories define the glory of the holy cow. Cows contribute so much of good to us. The dosage of pancha gavya (mix of the cow’s milk, curd, butter, urine and dung in stipulated proportions. One should mix the mixture with sacred grass- Darbha) will act as preventive medicine against many diseases. It is our dharma to protect and look after the holy cows. Does anyone hurt a birth-giving mother? How can we hurt a cow? How can one reason that we are eating a cow just as we are eating other animals? How foolish is this explanation? Many animals give milk. Even donkeys also give milk. Will you drink donkey’s milk. This is a meaningless explanation. There is none other than the holy cow that eats grass and gives nectar like milk. Is there anything from the cow that goes unutilized? Cows dung is used for gas. It is sinful to use the skin of the cow.
Sarva Veda rupini gomata, sarva deva rupini gomata.
The Cow is the manifestation of all the Vedas and Deities. Holy cows have a unique and strong memory. Many people question the specialty of holy cow’s milk. They compare the milk of the cow with that of the buffalo. The cow and buffalo are miles apart. Buffalo forgets itself seeing and staying in water. Did you ever see a cow land its feet in water? It’s nature is satvika nature. It cares for the purity of the water that is used for other beings for drinking purposes. Many of the farmers who are unable to maintain the cow in desperate situations, are giving it away to slaughter houses. We must do our share of duty to save the holy cow. There are many types of animals to be eaten in this world. God had permitted to eat them. Why the cow? Is it only because of its size and it works out cheaply? Eating cow’s gifts you brain tumor. These are not my words. This is proved by research in UK and US. It is a major sin to eat a cow. We speak so much about protection, but it is all words. To maintain a cow, which in not giving milk is difficult to the owner of the cow, He finds it better to sell it to the slaughterhouses. Let us all promote gobar gas – the gas prepared from cow’s dung. This will help us to save the holy cows. This will promote agriculture in villages in good way and saves the holy cow. All of you promise me to do your bit for saving cows. We should not ignore such things. We must help and do our bit in such things. Milk should come from villages. Only such milk will be pure. In the city, the milk we get is a chemical mixture. The consumption of milk has gone up prompting the mixing of chemicals. The milk does not drip down the fingers. It drips from the finger tips. It is not milk but chemicals mixture. The chaos in the world can be reasoned hence. We are the cause of the previously mentioned mistakes, hence we must protect the cows in the way said above.
It is advised that we do not forget the five important words that start with the alphabet G. They are Guru, Govinda, Ganga, Gomata, and Gita. Adding Guru Seva and Gomata seva to the above would be appreciated. Listening to these stories will help us to know about our dharma or duty and how to practice. Bestowal of merit is essential by product. Yoga, Veda, and dharma are there too for practicing. Mere listening is not enough.
Kartavirya Arjuna comes to the Jamadagni muni’s hermitage and enquires about his well-being. Jamadagni muni invites the king and the entire army for lunch. King seeing this as unfeasible refuses politely but agrees on the insistence of Jamadagni muni. Jamadagni muni then calls his cow and asks her to look after the arrangements. His cow makes the arrangements, knowing the mind of the guests. No menu was required. The grand feast was thoroughly enjoyed by the king and the army. While going back, the king insisted that the cow should be sent with him. Jamadagni muni resisted saying this cow not only is dear to him, but also it arranges all the required things for his daily rituals. There was a battle for a brief time. Jamadagni muni withdrew from the battle saying fighting is not his dharma. Penance is duty. When the cow was forcibly taken, she came back to Jamadagni muni and pleaded for protection, but to no avail. Kartavirya Arjuna took the cow along with him. Coming to know about the incident, Parashurama’s anger knew no bounds. There was a fierce battle between Kartavirya Arjuna and Parashurama. Parashurama killed Kartavirya Arjuna for the following mistakes
1. Insulting his father, a revered personality
2. Hurting the house which has extended hospitality to him
3. Taking the cow forcibly without the consent of his father and cow herself.
Jamadagni reprimanded Parashurama on his return to ashram. Jamadagni explained the importance of tolerance for people whose duty is doing penance. With tolerance comes Lakshmi – riches, vak siddhi – ability to speak and make changes to the material universe. and all luxuries. Patience and tolerance are needed for achieving anything. It is called asana siddhi. Siddhi’s do not occur in fast track process. Hari recognizes and likes people possessing qualities of tolerance. Jagamadani says, “Parashurama, You did a mistake losing Your tolerance.” Parashurama prays His father to show Him a way out. Jamadagni orders Parashurama to go for a pilgrimage and asks Him to undergo all the difficulties of a pilgrimage. This way you will inculcate tolerance. Pilgrimage should be done with less baggage. The local food should be taken. We see many people undergoing difficulties. Only then we understand our comforts.
Meanwhile an unpleasant incident happened. The son of Kartavirya Arjuna came into the Jamadagni muni hermitage and beheaded him. Seeing this atrocious act, Renuka mata shouted 21 times for Parashurama. By the time Parashurama came, everything was finished. Parashurama did all the necessary rituals to be done to the parents under the leadership of Datta. Later Parashurama took a vow that He would go round the world 21 times and kill all the egoistic kings. After completion of the act, He cleansed His axe in the Saraswati River.
Renuka mata is the head of all the village deities. Village dieties roam around the villages, save, and protect the villages. Renuka mata, Shyamala and Varahi mata are village dieties. We must not ignore one’s village dieties and house deities and Guru Sampradayam. We must teach all these things to our children. Shiva orders Parashurama that once Parashurama meets Rama he should not touch the weapon again. Parashurama entered the marriage hall of Rama. Seeing Parashurama in the hall, all was scared. Dasharatha fainted seeing Parashurama. Some fainted. some did japa and yagna in mind for peace to prevail. Parashurama walked up to Rama and asked Rama to hold the Vishnu bow and to tie the thread to the bow. Until now Rama did not speak. This is the moment where the two incarnations of Vishnu came face to face. How divine the moment should be!
Rama said that owing to His father’s presence, He is not speaking until now, but now that you are insulting my dharma and me, I shall speak. In Bala kanda, just before this incident, where Vashistha and Vishwamitra meets, the duties of a warrior are being described in detail. Penance won over the war there. Between Rama and Parashurama, valour beat the penance. Here Valmiki maharshi highlights that attributes and the spiritual practice of a person is main and that caste has no bearing. Parashurama put forward the Vishnu bow and challenged Rama to catch it and tie the thread. Rama readily agreed and the moment Rama touched the bow the entire Vishnu energy form Parashurama flowed into Rama.
Parashurama was unable to stand on His feet. He became that weak. Rama continued to tie the thread to the bow and then loaded the arrow on to the bow. Normally Rama is not hasty to load the arrow on to the bow, but once loaded it is mandatory to shoot it. Rama asked Parashurama where to shoot the arrow, and gave Him two choices. Should He aim it at Parashurama and restrict his moments or should He aim at all the merits earned by Parashurama? Parashurama agreed for the latter option. Parashurama reasoned and prayed not to restrict his moments as he has donated the entire land to Kashyapa rushi and hence he has to move away from there. Parashurama says, “Losing in the hands of Rama is a matter of pride and not insult.” Even today, Parashurama responds to prayers and protects people walking on the dharmic path. He is maintaining dharma. In deep trouble if you pray Parashurama, then his shadow along with axe will appear. May the health, merit, and knowledge be in- exhaustive for us. This is the incarnation of Parashurama. Rama is an incarnation of the Lord in a human form. In His previous incarnation to Rama, He incarnated as angry Parashurama. To make it clear to humans that anger is not appreciated and to show the completeness, Rama incarnated as a human. He came down to earth as supreme practitioner of righteousness and calm and composed personality. He came down to earth as exemplary human personality.
Sri Guru Datta