Believed to be the incarnation of Vasudeva, he was named as Rama (Parasurama) and considered the 6th avatar of the Lord. The tejas of this Rama was such that no ordinary being could look up at him. Only those who did Japa / Homa daily like Sage Vashishta could look at Parasurama’s face; such was the Brahmavarchas on his forehead. He was considered part manifestation of Lord Vasudeva.
Swami Desikan in his “Dasavatara Stotram” describes Parasuram as “Rusha Rama”. His was described as “Ferocious” Avatar. Parasuraman the grandson of Sage Rchika and Satyavati and the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. On the request of Satyavati desirous of having sons, Sage Rchika prepared a rice preparation called Charu which he divided into two portions – one for his wife Satyavati and the other for his mother-in-law. The Sage while going for his morning bath asking Satyavati to give her portion of Charu to her and the one meant for the mother Satyavati drank. Thus the two portions got exchanged. Sage Rchika knowing what had happened was in rage and told Satyavati that she will get a cruel son. On Satyavati imploring Sage Rchika said then your grandson will be cruel. Parasuram was this grandson of Satyavati, the youngest son of the number of sons of Renuka and Jamadagni.
While Karthaveeryarjuna (ruler of Haihayas) was entertained in the hermitage of Jamadagni, he saw the cow of plenty (Nandini), which was the chief cause of affluence of the hermitage. He without seeking the permission of the sage, ordered that this cow may be taken away to his capital Mahismati. When Parasuram returned to the hermitage he learnt what had happened. He at once flew into a rage, picked up his formidable axe, set out to avenge the insult meted out to his father Jamadagni. Karthaveeryarjuna seeing from a distance sent out a part of his army to confront this ferocious foe. But Parasuram was all too powerful and killed his assailants. Then he chopped the thousand hands and the head of Karthaveeryarjuna. Parasuram then drove back the cow of plenty to his father’s hermitage and reported what had happened. Jamadagni was full of remorse on hearing what had happened. He asked Parasuram to go on a pilgrimage to atone for his sins. He came back after a year.
But Karthaveeryarjuna’s sons who had not forgotten the way their father’s head was cut off and waited for an opportunity to avenge his death. They went to Jamadagni’s hermitage when he was alone. Inspite of the entreaties of his wife Renuka not to harm Jamadagni, they cut off his head. Renuka called out “Rama, Rama, Please come here”. Parasuraman who was nearby, hearing his mother’s cry of distress came running and saw the chopped head of his father. Immediately he vowed that he would destroy the Kshatriya race and thus he did 21 times and at Kurukshetra filled the tanks with blood of Kshatriyas. Karthaveeryarjuna, a Kshatriya was so powerful that he held all 10 heads of Ravana between his thumb and the pointing finger and dragging him put him in exile for same time and then released him out of sheer pity.
Parasurama defeated this Raja Karthaveeryarjuna also, so one can imagine the ferociousness of this Rama!
After the mass killing he gave away his possessions – Eastern quarter to Hota, west of Adhwarya, South to Brahma, North to Updata and Central part to Sage Kashyapa. He then returned to Mount Mahendra.
In the meanwhile when Lord Sri Rama was returning from Janakpuri along with his wife Sitadevi, his brother, then wives and king Dasaratha Sage Vashishtar saw Parasurama coming towards them with his bow and arrow. He thought “Oh, Why is he coming now, when he has already rid the earth of the Kshatriya race and returned to the Mount thereafter?”
Parasurama on seeing Lord Rama spoke thus “I have heard about your exploits and the breaking of Siva Dhanus”. So I have come to test your strength and valour. If you take my bow and strike with the arrow I should accept your strength. You are aware that Vishwakarma made two bows and arrows – Shiva Dhanus and Vishnu Dhanus. Shiva Dhanus you broke. This Vishnu Dhanus was handed over to Rishikeshar who handed it over to Jamadagni and that is how I got the bow. When Jamadagni returned having given up all weapons Kartaveeryarjuna gave maximum trouble and he was ultimately beheaded. So I took revenge on the Kshatriya race. If you are a real Kshatriya and if you can terminate your enemies, then take this Vishnu Dhanus and shoot your arrows.
Dasartha who was standing by hearing this conversation pleaded with Parasuraman not to drag Sri Rama in this combat as he was still young. Dasaratha continued stating that “I heard you returned to Mount Mahendra relinquishing all your weapons and kingdom to Sage Kashyapa in front of Indra. Then why have your come back!” But this fell on deaf ears. The Serengeti it may be noted, of Dasaratha did not yield any remits as he had no powers to grant any boon.
Sri Rama who was silent addressed Parasurama thus “I have heard all your exploits and your courageous feats. That does not mean I am afraid and that I have no courage and valour. Give me the Vishnu Dhanus”, and put his arrow to the bow. It was such a wonderful scene that Brahma with other devas and rishis stood in amazement and prostrated to HIM. When Sri Rama looked at Parasuramar all the “Shakti” of Parasuraman got transferred to Sri Rama and Parasuraman stood totally subdued here of all his powers. Once the arrow leaves bow, Rama said, “It will take away your legs, you will not be able to travel anywhere or else you give up all the “Punya” you have earned so far and the Mokshaloka you have earned through your tapas.
Parasuraman with folded hands appealed to Sri Rama, “Take away my Mokshaloka but not my legs as I have to return to Mount Mahendra. I don’t come to earth and even if I come I don’t stay overnight. Sri Rama, please shoot the arrow. I am aware that you are Lord Vishnu and all the devathas are waiting to have your Darshan.” When the arrow was shot by Sri Rama it took away the Mokshaloka and Parasuraman returned to Mount Mahendra. Thus ended the Parasurama avatar of the Lord.