Jamadagni is one of the Saptarishi and the father of Bhagwan Parshuram – the 5th avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu. He is believed to be a noted expert of arts, science, and weaponry.
‘Sapta’ means seven, and ‘Rishi’ means a sage or seer in Sanskrit hence, Saptarishi literally means ‘seven seers’. Saptarishi are the Brahmarishi or scholars who wrote the scientific Indian scriptures such as Ved, Puran, and Upanishad. They created and updated them from time to time. The legends say, Brahma created a series of scholars as ‘Manas Putra’ to impart wisdom and education to human beings.
Jamadagni telling Parasuram about Kartyaveerarjun; Image Source: Internet Archive
Rishi Jamadagni
Rishi Jamadagni is one of the revered seven sages of Hinduism called Saptarishi. He comes from the family lineage of Bhrigu Rishi. He was the son of Rishi Richik and Mata Satyavati. Rishi Jamadagni was an expert of arts, science, and weaponry; and he spent his entire life doing research on scriptures. It believed that he used to discuss the art of war with Guru Shukracharya. His timeline is considered to be the crossover of Treta Yug and Dwapar Yug.
He married the daughter of King Prasenjit – Renuka with whom he had 5 sons. His youngest son Parshuram was known for his extraordinary valour and courage. Parshuram is believed to be the 5th avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu. He is considered to be immortal.
Mata Renuka is worshipped in southern India as village guardian goddess called Yellamma or Manchalamma. A ritual called Joga Bedodu in Karnatak, Jogawa in Maharashtra and Yellamma Jogu in Telangana – is performed by ladies to remember the penance of Mata Renuka.
A curious tale is about the death and subsequent reincarnation of Mata Renuka. Once doubtful and angry about Renuka’s lust, Rishi Jamadagni ordered his sons to kill her. All the sons refused to obey his command except Parshuram, who executed his own mother.
This brought the anger of Jamadagni down, and he offered Parshuram anything that he wished for. Parshuram then asks for his mother to be alive again with Jamadagni’s forgiveness. Rishi Jamadagni agrees and brings back Mata Renuka alive.
The legends say that Rishi Jamadagni had Surabhi – a ‘Kamdhenu’ cow – which is believed to be the source of endless riches.
Once King Kartivirya Arjun/ Sahastrabahu, on a journey, reached the ashram of Jamadagni Rishi. He was welcomed there and was offered food and shelter. But when he came to know about the divine cow Kamdhenu, his mind got filled up with greed, and he forcibly took away Kamdhenu and kidnapped Jamadagni Rishi’s wife Renuka. He also killed Rishi Jamadagni on the spot.
Angry Parshuram then raided his castle in Mahishmati, killed Sahastrabahu, and freed his mother & Kamdhenu. Later the sons of Sahastrabahu raided Rishi Jamadagni’s ashram for revenge and killed him as well as Mata Renuka.
Enraged by this massacre, Parshuram took an oath to end the reign of the Haihay clan.
It is believed that Rishi Jamadagni’s ashram was situated at the place which is near Jaajanapur in today’s Haryana state. However, some people believe its real location to be near today’s Uttarkashi.
Also, there are numerous Renuka Mata temples across India – including Mahur [Maharashtra], Zamania [UP], and Vellore [Tamilnadu].
