Attributes of Sri Parashuram

‘Agratah chaturovedah prushthatah sasharam dhanuh I

Idam braahmam idam kshatram shaapadapi sharaasdapi II’

Meaning: Knows four veds by heart, means has full knowledge of them. Has arrows and bow on the back, means has valour; which also means has both, radiance of Brahma and of Kshatriya. Sri Parashuram will defeat anyone that opposes him, either by a curse or by shooting an arrow.

Test of Lord Shiva

Once, Deity Shiv challenged Sri Parashuram to a battle to test his skills in warfare. The spiritual master (Gurudev) Deity Shiv and the disciple Sri Parashuram were locked in a fierce battle. This dreadful duel lasted for twenty one days. While ducking to avoid being hit by the Trident (Trishul) of Deity Shiv, Sri Parashuram vigorously attacked Him with his Parashu. It struck Deity Shiv on the forehead creating a wound. Deity Shiv was very pleased to see the amazing warfare skills of His disciple. He passionately embraced Sri Parashuram. Deity Shiv preserved this wound as an ornament so that the reputation of His disciple remained imperishable and insurmountable. 'Khanda-parshu' (wounded by Parashu) is one of the thousand names (for the salutation) of Deity Shiv.

Period of Appearance

Sri Parashuram was born in the nineteenth Tretayug (in the transition period
between Treta and Dwapar Yug according to Mahabharat).