Jamadagni (जमदग्नि)

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Jamadagni was the well-known son of Maharshi Richika and Princess Satyavati. An interesting story in the Puranas tells us how they came to be married. Nino Gadhi visited Richika's hermitage to pay his Fespects. He was shocked when the sage asked for the Hand of his daughter in marriage. How could he give hil daughter, used to royal comforts, in marriage to nascetic who had only the bare minimum to give?

Gadhi would have felt better if Richika had been Too young for marriage. That would have given him H euse to refuse. His mind was in a whirlwind as tried to think of a way out of the predicament. After a good deal of hesitation, he said that it was the tom of the kshatriyas, the warrior caste, to allow en to choose their own husbands, and that he ne say in the matter. However, if the sage could a thousand white horses, each with a black ear, become eligible to become the bridegroom. That was a trick, of course. Its impossibility would His courage the sage or keep him busy till he to his senses. Satisfied that he had sent Richika Wild horse chase,' the king returned to his palace.

Instead of running about in quest of the horses, Richika prayed to Varuna, the god of waters. Varuna granted the sage's prayer and gave him a thousand white horses with one black ear each. Richika excitedly drove the herd of horses to Gadhi's palace, and the king fainted when he learned the cause of the commotion outside. The trick had turned out to be terrifyingly cruel.

Regaining consciousness, Gadhi was forced to stick to his words and handed his tearful daughter to the sage. In due time, a son was born to them who was named Jamadagni. The great Brahmarishi Vishvamitra was Gadhi's youngest son, hence the uncle of Jamadagni. This increased Jamadagni's fame.

Being of orthodox habits regarding religious observances, Richika brought up his son to be the same way. This was complemented by the noble and loving nature of Satyavati. Jamadagni grew up in the peaceful and sylvan environs of his father's hermitage and diligently studied the Vedas. The Mahabharata mentions that Jamadagni was known to possess knowledge of the entire Vedas. He regularly meditated and performed austerities, and above all, was devoted to his godlike parents.

When Jamadagni grew up, he wanted to make long pilgrimage to the various sacred places and worship the presiding deities associated with them. On his return journey, he met King Prasenajit, who, observing his bright and calm visage, urged him to kindly accept his hospitality. While in the palace, Jamadagni became acquainted with the king's daughter, Princess Renuka and they fell in love. The king understood this and readily agreed when Jamadagni requested Renukai hand in marriage. They married and went to live on the bank of the river Narmada, where food was abundant and the scenery was breathtaking. They were happy together and in time had five sons. They were Rumanvat, Suhotra or Sushena, Vasu, Vishvavasu, and the best known, Parashurama.

One day Renuka sent her children, now adolescents, to gather fruits, their principal food, and proceeded to the river Narmada to bathe. From a distance, she saw the royal entourage of King Kartaviryarjuna in a festive mood engaged in water sports. Renuka backtracked and went further upstream in search of a secluded spot. After a while she found one, but on approaching it she spotted Chitraratha, prince of Mrittikavati, and his queen joyously swimming and playing in the waters, oblivious of everything else. Renuka felt envious of their beauty, felicity, and happiness, and stood gazing at them for a long time. She finally dragged away her eyes-but not her mind--and went still farther upstream.

She returned to the hermitage disquieted; cleansed, but not purified. Her mind had given way to very low thoughts. Jamadagni had been waiting for her impatiently. When he perceived her unworthy thoughts and realized that she had been shorn of her perfection, le reproved her. By then the children had returned.

jamadagni called Rumanvat, the eldest son, and ommanded him to kill his mother. Rumanvat refused I do so. One by one, Jamadagni commanded his rand, third, and fourth sons to kill their mother. All of them followed the stance of their elder brother. Enraged, Jamadagni cursed them to lose their minds and live as idiots.

When Parashurama was summoned, he stepped forward and slew his mother. However, he fainted, realizing the gravity and consequences of his gruesome and unthinking act. The other brothers were stunned.

His anger assuaged, Jamadagni revived Parashurama and asked him to choose a boon as a reward for his obedience. Parashurama wanted his mother to be brought back to life and his brothers to be restored to their natural condition. These requests were granted, along with the added boon of making Parashurama Invincible. Rishis want us to maintain high spiritual Mandards and are displeased at the slightest failure and punish us to teach us a lesson. However, their compassion makes them take back the punishment too.

Richika, Jamadagni's father, possessed the great bow of Vishnu. Legend has it that the engineer god Vishvakarma had fashioned two bows: one for Shiva and the other for Vishnu. The gods wanted to see which one was the best, and insisted on an archery Fontest. When the twanging sound of both bowstrings the universe with terror, the gods called for a halt. Later, Shiva gave away his bow to Janaka. This i the bow that was broken by Rama to win the W of Sita. Vishnu in turn gave his mighty bow I Richika, who in course of time handed it over to

image Jamadagni ordering his son Parashurama to slay his mother.

Jamadagni was once annoyed because the sun Surya, was giving off too much heat. Jamadagni W shooting arrows at Surya. This went on for a time, with Renuka taking care of the logistics. ng lamadagni's hopeless condition, Surya accepted at to humour him. In the guise of a brahmin Fant, Surya presented him with a pair of sandals and an umbrella. Thus these things came in vogue. Even today, these items are included in the gifts meant for brahmins on special occasions like shraddha (memorial ceremonies).

Kartaviryarjuna once visited the hermitage of Jamadagni when Renuka was alone. Though he was treated respectfully, he forcefully took away a prize Cow. When Parashurama was told about it, he fought with and killed the mighty king and scattered his army with arrows shot from the bow of Vishnu Kartaviryarjuna's sons attacked the hermitage in return and avenged their father's death by slaying Jamadagni and destroying everything around.