Shloka 28
Paraśurāma Avenges Jamadagni; Restoration Through Sacrifice; Viśvāmitra’s Line and Devarāta (Śunaḥśepha)
गाधेरभून्महातेजा: समिद्ध इव पावक: । तपसा क्षात्रमुत्सृज्य यो लेभे ब्रह्मवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥
gādher abhūn mahā-tejāḥ samiddha iva pāvakaḥ tapasā kṣātram utsṛjya yo lebhe brahma-varcasam
Viśvāmitra, son of Mahārāja Gādhi, blazed with power like a kindled fire. By severe austerities he renounced the kṣatriya station and attained the spiritual splendor of a brāhmaṇa.
Now, having narrated the history of Lord Paraśurāma, Śukadeva Gosvāmī begins the history of Viśvāmitra. From the history of Paraśurāma we can understand that although Paraśurāma belonged to the brahminical group, he circumstantially had to work as a kṣatriya. Later, after finishing his work as a kṣatriya, he again became a brāhmaṇa and returned to Mahendra-parvata. Similarly, we can see that although Viśvāmitra was born in a kṣatriya family, by austerities and penances he achieved the position of a brāhmaṇa. These histories confirm the statements in śāstra that a brāhmaṇa may become a kṣatriya, a kṣatriya may become a brāhmaṇa or vaiśya, and a vaiśya may become a brāhmaṇa, by achieving the required qualities. One’s status does not depend upon birth. As confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.11.35) by Nārada:
FAQs
This verse states that through tapasya one can renounce worldly identity and attain brahma-varcasa—spiritual brilliance and brāhmaṇical excellence.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the genealogies and events in the Ninth Canto to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
By adopting disciplined practices—self-control, truthfulness, study, and devotion—one can refine character and gain inner clarity beyond social labels or status.