Chapter 12 : Power Hungry Parashuraam

Raam's father Jamadagni was meditating,

That left Raam patiently waiting.

When he opened his eyes

Raam disclosed his thought for prize.

Shiv's disciple he wants to become,

For that he requires father's green thumb.

"If you have to go, then go.

You have my blessings, knowledge should flow."

Raam went to Gandhamaadan mountain,

Severe penances he underwent.

At last Shiv appeared to him,

"Your penances have reached its brim.

I am satisfied, what is it you want?"

"Your axe, the parashu, I want to flaunt.

The world is now politically disturbed,

No good ruler, peace curbed.

Needs to be powerful common man,

To put the oppression forever ban."

Shiv nodded, "You are right.

But remember, might begets might.

You deserve parashu, I will give,

No warrior greater than you will live.

Come to Kailaash, I will train you,

Greater in weapons will be few."

So saying, Shiv took Raam to Kailaash,

In celestial weapons to make him pass.

Raam knew of many weapons mystery

And marshal art, non-transitory.

Even Paarvatee, Parashuraam loved,

Many of her weapons, She approved.

Devee Shaktti, with Her power,

Made Parashuraam valiantly empower.

Parashuram learnt skills of warfare,

None could reach Parashuraam there.

How to jump up when legs are attacked,

How to dodge when head is attacked.

How to attack even when defending,

How to move making foe blinding.

Shiv gave him his bow and arrows,

Taught him how an arrow bestows.

Then, one day, to test his power,

How much he learnt to that hour,

Shiv challenged Raam to a fight

To know how much his disciple is right.

That dreadful duel lasted twenty one days,

None of the two found ways

loophole in defense of others part,

Guru and shisya could not thwart

Each other, Shiv threw

His indomitable trident challenged by few.

Parashuraam ducked, in the moment of defense

hurled his axe to Shiv's head in offense.

Vigorous Raam's blow brought a wound

On Shiv's forehead to His joy abound.

"Great shot! I am very pleased

With your warfare, the opportunity you seized

To hit my head with a blow,

To think what will happen to your foe.

You have amazing warfare skills,

With great joy my spirit fills.

I will carry forever your mark,

Nowhere I saw such talent spark."

Raam stayed in Kailaas for some days,

Went on learning the spiritual ways.

*****

One day Mahaadev wished to meditate,

Called on Ganesh to stand at gate.

"Let nobody enter now,

While I am meditating, don't allow."

Paarvatee's son stood at gate,

While the great Shiv went to meditate.

Meanwhile Parashuraam was coming,

To see Shiv with heart full of being.

He saw Nandeeshwar sitting as always,

Mahaakaal the great time meditating sideways,

Ruru Bhairav standing in all glory,

Rudragans loitering discussing story

Of Mahaadev, the pishaachs and ghosts,

Each in their ability boasts

The greatness of Shiv, taker of rejected,

Giving shelter to whoever neglected,

Finally reaching the gate where

Ganesh was standing, shouting, "Beware!

None is permitted to reach for Father,

Wait! Don't go any more, don't dare!"

Parashuraam pleaded to have an entry,

Prayed to Ganesh standing as sentry.

Vigneshwar, the obstacles-god,

Was adamant, didn't give nod.

Parashuraam, enraged, with Ganesh fought,

Ganesh, the great power, made him brought.

Then Raam hit with axe,

That brought Ganesh to backs.

His father's weapon had to succeed,

He took it with left tusk and got it rid.

Chopped off by the axe, the tusk fell on ground,

Everywhere there was blood abound.

Paarvatee's son Kaarttik awed,

His brother getting wrong end of the rod.

Hurried to meet his Parents, he ran,

To help Their son as best as They can.

Paarvatee had a good mind to kill him,

But restricted Herself from being grim.

She is Jaganmaataa the Mother of the universe,

She should not be angry or give curse.

To Parashuraam She then said,

"You were better off in being dead.

In Brahma dynasty you are born,

To one of the illustrious sons

Of Maharshi Jamadagni and Renuka Devi.

You bore a burden on Me heavy.

Part of Lakshmi know your mother,

Concentration extreme, have no bother

Of difficulty existing in the worlds,

Peaceful, she never whirls.

Look, what you did to My son,

Think you do everything for fun.

My Husband is your guru for your countless weapons,

Does this your guru-dakshina - offering summons?

Perhaps it was better off cutting his head

Instead his tusk, the way he shed

Blood, he had never,

Cut tusk he will bear for ever.

My son Ganesh is the idol I made.

He is son of Shaktti, requires no aid.

He can tackle crores of animals cunning

Like you, when attacked make them running.

Ganesh was playful to you,

You do not have the least clue.

It was no accident, but an act of vengeance;

For credit you don't receive a pence.

He is worshiped around everywhere.

To remove obstacles he is there."

Parashuraam, ashamed, prostrated

To his Guru Shiv, Devi Paarvatee, retaliated,

And almighty Vishnu the ever forgiver.

He came in danger to deliver

As a Braahman boy suddenly visioned

Who properly analysed the situation.

"Jay Shiva, jay Maataa" He chanted,

"O Mother, Your devotee's prayer be granted.

Indeed Raam did great crime,

But divinity in heart You chime.

What Parashuraam did has no reason,

But remember, he is not seasoned.

His momentary indecision was his folly,

He could as well avoid that volley.

Treat him as your child, O Mother,

But he is Ganesh or Kaarttik, none other.

O Universal Parents, don't read much

Into the happening, incident such.

O Devee, I know your feelings hurt,

But keep Your chetanaa - sense - alert.

Don't impose Your angels personal,

But effort to make your anger terminal.

The situation unhappy has happened and passed,

All immaterial in Time vast.

Your son in eight names

In the three worlds will bring fames.

As Ganesh he is gana-leader,

Shiva's people, will have no fear.

Ekadanta - one-toothed - he will be called,

With singular concentration success hauled.

Heramba he is protector of the weak,

Unconfident, down and the meek.

Vighna Naayak, the hero in obstacles,

Everywhere will be written his chronicles.

Lambodar, the big-bellied one,

Will comprise all, no fun.

Surpakarna, the one with ears like winnowing basket,

Can hear all troubles, put them in pocket.

Gajavaktra, the one with elephant-mouth,

Will be known for his wisdom in scouth.

Guhagraaj, the one with heavy voice,

Will be heard by anyone at his choice."

So saying, braahman-lad Vishnu stopped.

Delight over anger in Paarvatee topped.

Parashuraam pleaded, "O Mother of universe -

Jaganmaata - I know the pain You inside nurse.

Have mercy on me by Your grace,

Or I won't be able to show Guru my face.

You the ever compassionate One,

In your kripaa my misery be gone.

I have learnt my lesson without doubt,

In me intelligence in moment may sprout."

He turned to Ganesh, "O Ganesh I beg

To pardon me. I fall on your leg.

My indiscretion resulted in this,

You lost your tooth, never to miss.

It is my promise to be careful from now,

At your greatness respectfully I bow."

Ganesh the graceful promptly said,

"Dear Raam, your point you made.

I was too stringent I admit,

Nevertheless you showed your grit.

I agree on my responsibility partial,

Let's end the subject controversial."

"Hail Mahaadev, hail Maa", lad-Vishnu exclaimed,

Vanished from the scene with situation tamed.

Raam prostrated to all,

Thus saved from his probable fall.