Character
Renuka
रेणुकाReṇukā
- verses
- 120
- books
- 16
- chapters
- 46
- Consort of
- Jamadagni
What the texts say
In the Mahabharata, the sage Jamadagni asked King Prasenajit for his daughter Renuka in marriage, and the king gave her to him. Mahabharata (Gita Press) 3.116.2Mahabharata 3.116.2 Her youngest son was Parashurama. Mahabharata 3.116.4Bhagavatam 9.15.12 Jamadagni ordered Parashurama to kill his mother, and in the Mahabharata Parashurama took up his axe and removed her head. Bhagavatam 9.16.6Mahabharata 3.116.14 The Skanda Purana tells that, after a boon of life was granted to Renuka, she was restored to life. Skanda Purana 7.1.121.5 The Skanda Purana also speaks of a goddess Renuka, and tells that people who behold her are blessed. Skanda Purana 5.3.218.55
Where to read
Every verse that names Renuka, book by book.
- 13.97.7
Reṇukā would then retrieve all the arrows released by that radiant one and repeatedly hand them back to him, O Acyuta.
- 3.116.2
Having approached King Prasenajit, the ruler of men, he sought Reṇukā in marriage, O king; and that monarch gave her to him.
- 1.28.18
The sky-ranging one (Garuḍa) engaged in contest with Aśvakranda the hero, with the bird Reṇuka, with Krathana the valiant, and with Tapana as well.
- 13.97.7
Skanda Purana
20 verses · 9 chapters
- 2.1.9.60
After bowing and receiving permission, he then went from forest to forest. There he beheld the goddess Reṇukā, abiding in a form like an anthill.
- 3.1.44.66
“Salutations to you who shone in the festive rite of taking Maithilī’s hand in marriage; salutations to you who brought about the defeat of the son of Reṇukā (Paraśurāma).”
- 5.2.29.3
Born from the womb of Reṇukā, Rāma himself appeared. He was none other than Viṣṇu descended, due to the formidable curse of Bhṛgu.
- 2.1.9.60
Brahmanda Purana
14 verses · 4 chapters
- 2.30.5
When the king returned to the city with all his household, O king, Renukā suddenly came forth from the āśrama.
- 2.1.97
From the ‘jamana’ of the Vaiṣṇava fire was born Jamadagni; and from Reṇukā, Jamadagni begot a son whose valor was equal to Śakra (Indra).
- 2.45.11
Seeing her husband slain and fallen upon the ground, Renuka instantly collapsed in a faint, like a vine struck by lightning.
- 2.30.5
Mudgala Purana
12 verses · 2 chapters
- 3.36.1
Chapter 36 begins: The Revival of Renuka and Jamadagni. Mudgala said: When the king had gone, the great sage Jamadagni called Renuka and told her the news himself.
- 3.37.2
O Renuka, O Jamadagni, choose an excellent boon from me. I am pleased by your penance performed with the single-syllable rite.
- 3.36.21
Then Renuka rebuked that lowest of kings. The king pierced her everywhere with twenty-one arrows.
- 3.36.1
Key chapters
The chapters where Renuka matters most.
Chatra-Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative (Jamadagni-Reṇukā-Sūrya Saṃvāda)
Embodied vulnerability and dutiful service
Reṇukā-vilāpa and the Aftermath of Jamadagni’s Slaying (अर्जुनोपाख्यान-प्रसङ्गः)
The Origin and Merit of Donating Umbrellas and Sandals
The Revival of Renuka and Jamadagni
The Story of Parashurama
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 116: Jamadagni-Reṇukā Narrative and the Kārtavīrya Conflict (Akṛtavraṇa’s Account)
Embodiment of household virtue tested by a fleeting desire
Paraśurāma Avenges Jamadagni; Restoration Through Sacrifice; Viśvāmitra’s Line and Devarāta (Śunaḥśepha)
Mother whose momentary mental deviation becomes the narrative…
Vasu the Niṣāda, Raṅgadāsa’s service, Toṇḍamān’s encounter, and the Padma-saras glory
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