Parashu

Sanskrit term for axe

Parashu

Parashurama holding a parashu

Type| Axe
Place of origin| India

Parashu (Sanskrit: Paraśu) is the Sanskrit word for a battle-axe, which can be wielded with one or both hands.[1][2][3][4]

## Construction

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The parashu could be double-edge bladed or single-edge bladed with a spike on the non cutting edge. It usually measures between 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m), though some are as long as 7 ft (2.1 m). The parashu is usually made of iron or wootz steel. The cutting edge is broader than the edge which is attached to the haft. The haft is often tied with a leather sheet to provide a good grip.[5]

## Hinduism

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The parashu named Vidyudabhi is the weapon of the god Shiva[6] who gave it to Parashurama,[7][8] the sixth avatar of Vishnu,[9][10] whose name means "Rama with the axe" and also taught him its mastery.[11] Parashurama was the guru of Drona, the guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. Bhishma and Karna, the half-brother of the Pandavas, also took instruction in weaponry from Parashurama. Parashurama was known to have terrible temper, having lost his father to the wicked Kshatriya Kartavirya Arjuna[12] (not to be confused with Arjuna of Mahabharata). Parashurama's weapon had supernatural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft.

The parashu was known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics. It is one of the weapons of Shiva, Parashurama, and Durga and is still depicted on their idols throughout India. It is also one of the weapons of Ganesha,[13] and the main weapon of Sahadeva and Shakuni.

## Legend

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The regional Hindu creation myth of Kerala is often attributed to the parashu of Parashurama. According to tradition, Parashurama was offered boons by both Varuna and Bhudevi, the deities who personify the ocean and the earth, respectively. He is stated to have travelled to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, and thrown his axe northward, recovering a swathe of land from the ocean, which would become Kerala.[14]

## References

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1. ^ Prasoon, Prof. Shrikant (2009). Rishis & rishikās. New Delhi: Pustak Mahal. ISBN 978-81-223-1072-6. OCLC 458319817.
2. ^ Rajan, Rahul (2016). Rudrāvan. Mumbai, India. ISBN 978-93-5201-765-2. OCLC 1039999907.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
3. ^ Agarwal, Himanshu (2016). Mahabharata Retold : Part - 1. Notion Press. ISBN 9789386073877.
4. ^ Bane, Theresa (2020). Encyclopedia of mythological objects. Jefferson, North Carolina. p. 120\. ISBN 978-1-4766-3920-8. OCLC 1156664542.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
5. ^ Ramsey, Syed (12 May 2016). Tools of War: History of Weapons in Ancient Times. Vij Books India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-86019-80-6. OCLC 971924562.
6. ^ Coulter, Charles Russell. Turner, Patricia (2020). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. S.l.: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-9179-7. OCLC 1288466239.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
7. ^ Rajendran, Abhilash (7 May 2016). "Parashu Weapon – The Divine Axe Weapon of Parshuram and Shiva". Retrieved 2022-03-27.
8. ^ Chaturvedi, B.K (1900). Brahmavaivarta Purana. Diamond Books. ISBN 978-93-5296-763-6. OCLC 1203945947. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
9. ^ Rout, Professor Sanjay (2021). Crystals and Life Transition. Lulu. ISBN 978-1-716-25108-5. OCLC 1259431189.
10. ^ Varma, Ravi. "Vishnu's sixth avatar Parashu Rama. Chromolithograph by R. Varma". Vishnu's Sixth Avatar Parashu Rama. JSTOR 24898574.
11. ^ Srinivasan, A. V (2011). Hinduism for dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. ISBN 978-1-118-11076-8. OCLC 745970735.[permanent dead link]
12. ^ Japan mini-set. F, F. London: Taylor & Francis. 2010. p. 472\. ISBN 978-1-136-90356-4. OCLC 1241441493.
13. ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2011). 99 Thoughts on Ganesha. Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House. p. 45\. ISBN 978-81-8495-152-3. OCLC 733724186.
14. ^ Bhargava, S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. (2006). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Kerala. Gyan Publishing House. p. 18\. ISBN 978-81-7835-370-8.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)