The Probert Encyclopaedia of Hindu Mythology

PARASHURAMA

In Hindu mythology, Parashurama was the sixth avatar of Vishnu. He was the youngest son of a forest dwelling hermit with a family of sons. He was both a devout servant of the gods and a keen huntsman. In return for his prayers the gods gave him unerring skill with a bow, but demons afraid that he would use his archery against them stole his bow. Vishnu answered his prayers and entered him and gave him a battle-axe and told him to use it to fight the enemies of the gods. While Parashurama was praying on a mountain, his mother coming home saw two people making love in a forest pool and became sexually excited. Returning home her husband detected her impure thoughts and ordered each of his sons in turn to behead her, each refused and their father punished them by making them as stupid as the cattle they looked after. When
Parashurama arrived home with the battle- axe he understood his father's request, and cut off his mothers head. Immediately her head touched the floor she was restored to life cleansed of her impure thoughts, and
Parashurama's father rewarded him with immunity from death in war.
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