"Parshudhari Parshuram (परशुधारी परशुराम)", a Marathi book by Sudhakar Shukla (सुधाकर शुक्ल). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in Aug 2008 and has 264 pages.
The book is narrated in first person by Parshuram. It starts with the story of his grandfather Ruchik to his parents Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), a sage with legendary temper, and Renuka (रेणुका). Then it comes to the story of Parshuram.
He considered himself Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) by birth who is also a Kshatriya (क्षत्रीय). He learns brahmavidya from his father and shastravidya from Sage Kashyap. He conducts strict meditation and obtains Shivadhanushya from Lord Shiva, Vaishnav dhanushya from his grand father Ruchik and Parshu (परशु) from Lord Ganapati. This Parshu gives him the name Parshuram.
His life goal is to salvage the populace from oppressive kings. If that calls for war, so be it. If he has to kill the kings to achieve his goal, so be it. War and killings were not considered job of a Brahmin in those days. A Brahmin carrying weapons was a curious sight in those days. It is said that Parshuram got the earth rid of all Kshatriyas, 21 times. This book, however, is exponent of the theory that he got rid of bad Kshatriya kings and not all Kshatriyas. The first big war he fought was with Sahastrarjun (सहस्त्रार्जुन), a very bad and oppressive king, and all his ally kings. The second big war was against Vimalasur (विमलासूर), a demon who made life difficult for everyone.
His second life goal was to create a new land by asking the sea to retract, invite all kind of people to relocate there, build important temples and make a heaven out of the barren land. This land is present day Kokan.
Finally the meeting of two legends; Ram and Parshuram, takes place. This meeting is the devine signal to Parshuram that his work on Earth is coming towards end and there is someone else to fight the bad guys.
Parshuram is a very interesting character. He is Brahmin by birth and Kshatriya at heart. Forgiving, austerity and non violence are characteristics of Brahmin and war, violence and opulence are characterized in a Kshatriya. There is a constant dual between these two personalities within Parshuram. On one hand he wants to follow path of non violence and on other hand he can not accept the reign of unjust kings. Various sages, including his father and his guru, try to contain his anger and rage so that he doesn't go too far in his revenge and harm or kill the innocent.
Although the story of Parshuram is fascinating, author has chosen to narrate it blandly. Either he has missed the opportunity to make the narration interesting or he has done so deliberately. Thus the book just manages to keep you interested but you have a feeling that it could have been better.
The narration is decent. Some of the events are wrapped up too quickly and others are stretched. Author has used the word haslo (laughed), more than 100 times in this book, in the form of मी हसलो or तो हसला or ते हसले.
All in all a good book due to the fascinating story. If you are interested in Parshuram, read it.
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