Shloka 34
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
पुन: स्वहस्तैरचलान् मृधेऽङ्घ्रिपा- नुत्क्षिप्य वेगादभिधावतो युधि । भुजान् कुठारेण कठोरनेमिना चिच्छेद राम: प्रसभं त्वहेरिव ॥ ३४ ॥
punaḥ sva-hastair acalān mṛdhe ’ṅghripān utkṣipya vegād abhidhāvato yudhi bhujān kuṭhāreṇa kaṭhora-neminā ciccheda rāmaḥ prasabhaṁ tv aher iva
When his arrows were cut to pieces, Kartaviryarjuna uprooted many trees and hills with his own hands and again rushed strongly toward Lord Parashurama to kill him. But Parashurama then used his axe with great force to cut off Kartaviryarjuna’s arms, just as one might lop off the hoods of a serpent.
FAQs
This verse depicts Paraśurāma overpowering the rushing kings, throwing them down and cutting off their arms with his axe—portraying decisive divine punishment when rulers become violent and irreligious.
In this narrative, Paraśurāma acts as an instrument of dharma to curb oppressive, adharmic rulers; the verse highlights the intensity of the conflict as the kings charge and are subdued.
It underscores accountability for power: strength and authority must serve dharma, and unchecked aggression leads to downfall—encouraging ethical leadership and self-control.