Who Is Parashurama (Parasurama)?
The axe-wielding brahmin warrior
Parashurama is a brahmin warrior from Indian mythology who carries an axe (parashu). He is the son of the sage Jamadagni. Angry over his father's murder, he is said to have wiped out the kshatriyas (the warrior and royal class) again and again, and he is also counted as one of Vishnu's avatars.
In the Ramayana, he appears in a terrifying form as Rama and his party head home after Rama's marriage to Sita. Having heard that Rama broke Shiva's bow, Parashurama holds out his own bow, the bow of Vishnu, and challenges Rama to try to draw it.
When Rama takes the bow and easily fits an arrow to it, Parashurama realizes Rama is no ordinary man. He shows him respect and quietly leaves for the mountains.
