As we prepare to celebrate Shree Parshuram Jayanti on May 10, 2024, we are reminded not only of the valour and righteousness embodied by the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu but also of the profound influence he had on the rich tapestry of Goan history.
Legend has it that Shree Parshuram, originally named Ram, earned his divine title when Lord Shiva bestowed upon him the iconic weapon, the Parashu, for his unwavering devotion. This celestial weapon became synonymous with Shree Parshuram’s righteous crusade to purge the world of sinners. His mastery extended far beyond the battlefield; he was a scholar of the highest order, well-versed in the Vedas, Puranas, and the intricacies of statecraft. Despite his Brahmin lineage, he wielded his weapon with unmatched skill, upholding the principles of righteousness and justice.
Shree Parshuram’s legend reverberates through the annals of time, his divine presence felt in every corner of Bharat. His encounters with Lord Ram during the Sita Swayamvar are immortalized in Hindu lore. His teachings continue to inspire generations, guiding towards righteousness and inspiring to stand firm against injustice.
At the heart of this celebration lies Goa, a land steeped in history and ancient lore. Known by myriad names in the annals of Puranas and ancient literature, from Gomanchala to Gopakapuri, Goa holds within its embrace a treasure trove of stories waiting to be unveiled.
Central to the aura of Goan history is the enigmatic figure of Parshuram, whose divine presence permeates every aspect of Goan history. According to ancient texts, it was Shree Parshuram who sculpted the Konkan region from the depths of the ocean, shaping its destiny and forging its identity. According to Puranic tradition the Konkan region is the creation of Shree Parshuram.
Quoting renowned historian Jose Nicolu da Fonseca in the book ‘Blood in the Sea: The dark history of Hindu Oppression in Goa” into the intricate connection between the origin of the Goan region and the legend of Shree Parshuram. Goa is a vivid portrait of a land steeped in history, where gods and heroes once walked the earth, leaving an indelible mark on its sacred soil, Fonseca writes “The island, with the remaining territory of Goa has from ancient times is known to the Hindus by the more familiar name of Gomant. This name occurs in the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, the Skanda and other Puranas, and is associated, in the Hindu mind, with many godly and heroic deeds. For it was Shree Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, after reclaiming the whole of Surparaka 6 (A name by which the Parshuram Kshetra, or the land wrested by Parshuram from the sea, is known to the Puranic Writers) from the sea, established ten muni, whom he had brought with him from the north of India. They were rishi Bharadvaja, Kausika, Vatsa, Kaundinya, Kasyapa, Vasistha, Jamadagni, Vishwamitra, Gautama, and Atri. Therehe performed the most Solemn of all sacrifices – the Ashvamedha, which is enjoined for the expiation of sins and the attainment of celestial bliss. The place where Ashvamedha was performed by Shree Parshuram is in the village of Haramal in the Pernem Mahal. Parshuram’s divine legacy reverberates through the annals of time, shaping the destiny of a land blessed by the gods.
Yet, amidst the glory of conquest, a poignant tale unfolds with Shree Parshuram relinquishing his claim to the land, gifting it to the sage Kashyapa for the maintenance of peace and order. There are hidden temples and sacred sites dedicated to Shree Parshuram, scattered across the length and breadth of the land, a testament to his enduring legacy and timeless presence.
As mentioned in the book ““there are many places in this area bound on the east by the Sahyadri dedicated to the worship of Shree Parshuram. In Goa there is a shrine dedicated to him in Poinguinim (paingin) village, Canacona (Kankon)taluka. In the northernmost zone of this strip there is again a shrine of Shree Parshuram on a Hill named Sallher and at the north of theshrine and about 100 cubits there are two footmarks carved in a rock to commemorate his position when he ordered the sea to roll back and release the land. In the southernmost zone of the strip, there is a place on the top of a mountain named Mahendragiri (Trivendrum district, Kerala state) which is considered by the people to be the permanent residence of Shree Parshuram, as he is supposed to be immortal. Outside this strip also there are many places throughout India linked with the name of Shree Parshuram as far North as the eastern boundary of Assam and the mountain Mahendra parvat in Orissa on the East.”
Quoting historian Dhume in the book, “The rock inscription of the Goutamiputra Satkarni mentioning Shree Parshuram as “ eka-brahman” is an important evidence that tells about Shree Parshuram as he was known in Goa ,Maharashtra and Karnataka as EkaVir “ Renuka , mother of Shree Parshuram , is worshipped in Maharashtra and Karnataka under the name of ‘Ekavira’. meaning mother of ‘Ekavir’. The records existing in the Goa Archives in Panaji provide accounts of demolished Hindu temples and shrines. There you can find the names of the dieties existing in the villages of Tiswadi, Salcete and Bardez Taluka at the time when temples were demolished by the Portuguese at the peak of religious fervour in the 16th and 17th century. Names of such deities were recorded simply as ‘Vir’.”
From the rocky heights of Sallher to the verdant slopes of Mahendragiri, Shree Parshuram lives on, immortalized in the hearts and minds of the Hindus. As the sun sets on another day in paradise, the echoes of ancient hymns and sacred chants mingle with the gentle lapping of the sea, a timeless reminder of the historical legacy of Goa.
On this auspicious occasion of Shree Parshuram Jayanti, as we pay homage to the divine warrior, let us also honour his timeless legacy of Goa, where history and ancient lore intertwine to create a tapestry of unparalleled richness and beauty. It is time to unearth the buried treasures of Hindu heritage, to dust off the relics of antiquity, and to weave a Goan identity. The identity that is ready to embrace their sacred heritage, to honour the legacy of their forebears, and to forge a future steeped in the timeless wisdom of the ages. For in the soul of Goa lies the essence of Bharat, a land rich in Hindu culture, steeped in tradition, and imbued with the spirit of resilience. Let us heed the call of our ancestors, let us reclaim our rightful place in the annals of history, and let us soar once more upon the wings of destiny.
(The writer is a Ph.D in Sociology has authored “Blood In The Sea: The Dark History of Hindu Oppression in Goa” and co-authored Ramjanmabhoomi : Truth Evidence Faith)
