Shloka 18
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 116: Jamadagni–Reṇukā Narrative and the Kārtavīrya Conflict
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account
अप्रतिद्वन्धतां युद्धे दीर्घमायुश्न भारत । ददौ च सर्वान् कामांस्ताञ्जमदग्निर्महातपा:,“तात! तुमने मेरे कहनेसे यह कार्य किया है, जिसे करना दूसरोंके लिये बहुत कठिन है। तुम धर्मके ज्ञाता हो। तुम्हारे मनमें जो-जो कामनाएँ हों, उन सबको माँग लो।” तब परशुरामजीने कहा--'पिताजी! मेरी माता जीवित हो उठें, उन्हें मेरे द्वारा मारे जानेकी बात याद न रहे, वह मानस-पाप उनका स्पर्श न कर सके, मेरे चारों भाई स्वस्थ हो जायाँ, युद्धमें मेरा सामना करनेवाला कोई न हो और मैं बड़ी आयु प्राप्त करूँ।” भारत! महातपस्वी जमदग्निने वरदान देकर उनकी वे सभी कामनाएँ पूर्ण कर दीं
akṛtavraṇa uvāca | apratidvandhatāṃ yuddhe dīrgham āyuṣṇa bhārata | dadau ca sarvān kāmāṃs tāñ jamadagnir mahātapāḥ ||
Akṛtavraṇa said: “O Bhārata, the great ascetic Jamadagni granted him invincibility in battle and a long life, and he also bestowed all the boons he desired.” In context, this follows Paraśurāma’s obedience to his father’s severe command: having fulfilled a nearly impossible duty, he is invited to ask for wishes. Paraśurāma’s requests aim at restoring his mother’s life and mental purity, reviving his brothers, and securing unmatched prowess and longevity—showing a tension between harsh obedience and the ethical impulse to repair harm and reestablish familial and moral order.
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how tapas-backed authority can grant boons, but the ethical emphasis lies in using power to restore order: Paraśurāma’s wishes (as explained in the surrounding narrative) seek to undo harm to family and mind (reviving the mother, removing traumatic memory, restoring brothers) while also receiving martial invincibility and longevity—showing dharma as both obedience and responsibility to repair.
After Paraśurāma carries out his father Jamadagni’s extremely difficult command, Jamadagni offers him boons. This verse states that Jamadagni grants invincibility in battle, long life, and all desired wishes—summarizing the bestowal of the requested boons.