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The Story of Shri Rambhadra ....
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He was born near the River Narmada in Mahishmati (now known as Maheshwar area in Central India) in the hermitage of His father - Rishi Jamdagni and mother - Renuka. They named Him as "Rambhadra"
Being the son of a Brahmin Father and a Kshatriya mother he had inclination towards the Vedas and the art of Warfare as well.
His mother Goddess Renuka was known for her chastity and devotion to her husband. Such was her faith, that she was able to fetch water from the river in a pot of unbaked clay, with the pot held together only by the strength of her devotion.
One day while at the river, a group of Gandharvas in a chariot passed by in the sky above. Filled with desire for only a moment, the unbaked pot she held dissolved in the river. Afraid to return to her husband, she waited at the river bank, uncertain of what to do next.
Meanwhile, Jamadagni noticed his wife had not returned. Through his yogic powers, he divined all that had taken place and was enraged. The rishi called his eldest son, handed him an axe and asked the boy to kill his mother.
Horrified, the boy refused and so Jamadagni turned him to stone. He then asked each of his sons and as they refused, one by one, he turned them to stone. Finally only his youngest son, Rambhadra was left. Ever obedient, the boy beheaded his mother.
Pleased Jamadagni then offered 2 boons . The boy asked that his mother be brought back to life and his brothers to be returned from stone to flesh and they should not remember anything about what happened. Impressed by the affection of his son, Jamadagni granted his request.
He was destined to achieve greatness in life and when he was still a teenager he visited his Great-Great Grandfather -Sage Bhrigu in his hermitage and he advised Him to do a severe penance at Mount Himavat and Gandhamadana to acquire Celestial Weapons.
The story of Parshuram belongs to the Treta yug. The word Parshuram means Lord Ram with an axe.
Parshuram had received an axe from Lord Shiva after undertaking terrible reparation. Lord Shiva had also taught his methods of warfare and other skills. Born in a Brahmin family, he was unlike the other Brahmins. Instead, Parshuram carried traits of a Kshatriya.
He carried a number of Khatriya traits, which included aggression, warfare and valour. Hence, he is called as a ‘Brahma-Kshatriya’ as he had skills from both the clan.
One story associated with Parshuram is that once King Kartavirya Sahasrarjuna and his army forcibly tried to take away Parshuram’s father’s magical cow named Kamdhenu. Being angry and revengeful, he killed the entire army and King Kartavirya.
In revenge for their father’s death, the king's son killed Jamadagni in Parshuram’s absence. Furious and hurt by their act, he went ahead killing all the king’s sons and corrupt Haihaya Kings and warriors on the earth.
