PARASURAMA
EPISODE
The
kshetra goes by and other name of Parasuram kshetra. It has an odd
background too. Parasurama the sixth incarnation of Lord Sri
mannarayana is a man of strange oppsotes and wild extremes., either
in his attitude towards his family members or others. At the bidding
of his father he severed with his potent parasu the head of
Renukadevi, his own mother without remorse. But when asked to
express his desire for boons, he opted for the life of his mother.
It was granted and the mother was rejuvenated, but the sin of
killing mother could never be expiated until and unless he undergoes
due prayaschitta. He was advised penance and bhupradakshana. Going
round and round, he came to Garalapura, and attracted by the
sublimity of the thick wood, he decided to begin his tapas here.
Before that he started clearing the thick wood to making his seat.
Unfortunately Lord Mahavishnu who was doing penance then received
the blow of his parasu. Blood flowed down. Seeing it, Parasuram was
paralyzed and grieved. Then said Mahavishnu to him to bring Smritika
- soil from the spot where Kesi was killed and that would stop
bleeding. And also help to reliving him from the sin of matricide.
He fetched it in a flash, and when applied, the flow was stopped
anon. He too felt the weight of matricide removed there. Thus a
pinch of soil of this punyadham is capable of removing sins and
relieving one from the distress of ailments. As Parasuram lived and
was relieved here, this kshetra was called Parasuram kshetra too.
Legends embody this in detail to attracting people for expiation of
sins and alleviation of pain as well.
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