Desire Creates Misery

Parashurama was the son of Sage Jamadagni and Renuka. Though born as a Brahmin boy, he showed all the traits of a Kshatriya (warrior). One day, King Karthaviryarjuna and his men visited the hermitage of the Sage Jamadagni. Jamadagni welcomed them and provided them with a sumptuous meal. Karthaviryarjuna asked Jamadagni how he was able to provide such a great meal. Jamadagni told him he was able to do so with the help of Kamadenu (wish giving cow). Karthaviryarjuna wanted Kamadenu for himself and hence seized the animal and took it to his kingdom. Parashurama was away and was not aware of this. When he returned to his hermitage, Jamadagni told him what had happened. Parashurama was enraged and went to the kingdom of Karthaviryarjuna and killed him. He bought Kamadenu back to his hermitage. To avenge their father's death, Karthaviryarjuna's sons killed Jamadagni. Parashurama was again infuriated and wiped out twenty one generations of Kshatriyas as they had become a great burden on earth. To atone for his sin, Parashurama went to the Mahendra mountain, performed many penances and still lives there as he is immortal.

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