Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 31
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
यतो यतोऽसौ प्रहरत्परश्वधो मनोऽनिलौजा: परचक्रसूदन: । ततस्ततश्छिन्नभुजोरुकन्धरा निपेतुरुर्व्यां हतसूतवाहना: ॥ ३१ ॥
yato yato ’sau praharat-paraśvadho mano-’nilaujāḥ para-cakra-sūdanaḥ tatas tataś chinna-bhujoru-kandharā nipetur urvyāṁ hata-sūta-vāhanāḥ
Lord Paraśurāma, being expert in killing the military strength of the enemy, worked with the speed of the mind and the wind, slicing his enemies with his chopper [paraśu]. Wherever he went, the enemies fell, their legs, arms and shoulders being severed, their chariot drivers killed, and their carriers, the elephants and horses, all annihilated.
In the beginning, when the army of the enemy was full of fighting soldiers, elephants and horses, Lord Paraśurāma proceeded into their midst at the speed of mind to kill them. When somewhat tired, he slowed down to the speed of wind and continued to kill the enemies vigorously. The speed of mind is greater than the speed of the wind.
FAQs
This verse depicts Paraśurāma as extraordinarily swift and unstoppable—wherever he struck with his axe, enemy warriors fell immediately, dismembered and defeated along with their charioteers and mounts.
In the narrative, Paraśurāma combats oppressive and hostile kṣatriya forces; this verse emphasizes how he annihilated opposing formations with decisive blows, earning the epithet “paracakra-sūdanaḥ.”
Unchecked arrogance and violence lead to ruin; the verse urges respect for dharma and accountability, reminding leaders and individuals that power must be restrained by righteousness.