Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 36
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
कृत्तबाहो: शिरस्तस्य गिरे: शृङ्गमिवाहरत् । हते पितरि तत्पुत्रा अयुतं दुद्रुवुर्भयात् ॥ ३५ ॥ अग्निहोत्रीमुपावर्त्य सवत्सां परवीरहा । समुपेत्याश्रमं पित्रे परिक्लिष्टां समर्पयत् ॥ ३६ ॥
kṛtta-bāhoḥ śiras tasya gireḥ śṛṅgam ivāharat hate pitari tat-putrā ayutaṁ dudruvur bhayāt
Parashurama memenggal kepalanya bagaikan puncak gunung. Melihat ayah mereka terbunuh, putra-putranya lari ketakutan. Ia lalu mengembalikan sapi Kamadhenu yang menderita kepada ayahnya, Jamadagni.
FAQs
This verse shows that when a ruler becomes oppressive and is defeated, even vast power and a large dynasty cannot protect him—fear and collapse follow swiftly.
In this narrative, Paraśurāma punishes the king’s violent misuse of power and the harm done to brāhmaṇas, establishing dharma by removing tyranny.
Power without humility leads to ruin; leadership must be restrained by ethics, respect, and accountability.