rishi

[Sivan Krishnan]

  

VEDHIC  MAHARSHIS -   NANGANALLUR  J K. SIVAN 

MAHARSHI  JAMADAGNI. 

This  revered maharshi, is of  Maharshi Bhrigu lineage.  He is  known for his immense  penance, thapas, mastery of weapons without  proper formal instruction and teaching. He is  well known as the father of  Lord Parasurama,  the sixth avathara, incarnation, of  Mahavishnu,. He is remembered for his  legendary temper, despite his extreme  spiritual power, righteousness, and profound devotion to the divine.

Maharshi Jamadagni was born to sage Richika and Princess Sathyavathi .

Born to the great Sage Richika and Princess Satyavati (daughter of the Kshatriya King Gadhi), Jamadagni was a descendant of Sage Bhrigu.  Puranas say that  due to some  divine mix up of sacred theerththa, or   Yaga porridge,  prepared by  Maharshi Richika, to  bless  Jamadagni's mother and Satyavati, Jamadagni was born with potent Kshatriya (warrior) vigor but firmly established himself as a supreme Brahmarishi. 

A sloka  from Mahabaratha,   Vanaparva, says;  

ततः सत्यवती गर्भं दधार ऋचिकाश्रितम् । तेजसा ब्राह्मणेनेव ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम् ॥
 Satyavati bore in her womb a child begotten by Richika, radiant like a blazing fire due to his Brahminic brilliance, who was none but  Maharshi Jamadagni.

Maharshi Jamadagni had in his ashram,the hevenly, divine cow, which fulfilled the wish of everyone,and the cow's name is Kamadenu.Her calf with same divine qualities is Nandhini. These divine cows, celestial beings, provided boundless food and offerings during fire rituals and to host guests. The miraculous creation of endless banquets from this cow was therefore the  primary sustenance and tool for hospitality extended by the Maharshi Jamadagni.

In Mahabharath,  Shanti Parva, I  quote a  sloka :
कामधेनुं ततः प्राह जमदग्निः कृताञ्जलिः। सुरभिं मातरं देवीं सर्वलोकस्य पूजिताम्॥

''Maharshi Jamadagni who had great regards and respects of the celestial cow Kamadhenu, approached her in his Ashram, and with folded hands, prayed  for universal welfare..''

Maharshi Jamadagni had such immence  spiritual prowess that he was able to  control the five elements. Angered by the scorching heat of the Sun, he once aimed his arrows into the sky. A terrified Surya appeared before the sage, bestowing him with the boon of the umbrella and sandals for the welfare of mankind. He also possessed Dhanurveda (science of weapons) knowledge without learning it from anyone.

In Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva  the following sloka is found:

तपसा दग्धपाप्मा च नियतात्मा जितेन्द्रियः।जमदग्निर्महातेजा ब्रह्मर्षिः संशितव्रतः॥
''With sins burned away by his penance, of restrained self, having conquered his senses, the highly radiant Brahmarishi Jamadagni strictly observed his holy vows.)

Jamadagni's greatest disciple and ultimate creation of his lineage was his own youngest son, Parasurama (Ramabhadra). Jamadagni tested Parasurama's absolute obedience by asking him to behead  his mother, Renuka (for a minor lapse of concentration), Subsequently  Parasurama using the boon granted by his father Rishi Jamadagni,  revived her and his other brothers who also lost their lives. Puranas hail  Parashurama as  an invincible warrior devoted to Dharma.

Bhagavata Purana, 9.15 says ; जमदग्नेस्तु रेणुकायां पञ्चाभून्मुनिसत्तमाः। तेषां कनिष्ठो भगवान् रामः कमललोचनः॥
Maharishi  Jamadagni had five sons from Renuka, the best among sages. The youngest of them was the lotus-eyed Lord Rama / Parasurama.)
Though Maharishi  Jamadagni was quicktempered and furious,  basically, he was  essentially a sage of deep compassion. When Dharma himself tested the sage's patience by entering his milk pot disguised as Anger, Jamadagni consumed it without losing his temper. His ultimate act of kindness was forgiving his wife and sons when tested, bringing his family back to life and blessing his children with immortality and invincibility. 

In Mahabharata, Ashvamedha Parva there is a sloka;  तं दृष्ट्वा शान्तभावं तु धर्मो ब्राह्मणरूपधृक्। आजगाम महातेजा जमदग्निं महामुनिम्॥
'' Seeing his peaceful disposition, Dharma, assuming the form of a Brahmin, approached the great and highly radiant sage Jamadagni....''

Being  an orthodox and strictly disciplined sage, Jamadagni continuously performed the Agnihotra and various Yagnas. He and his wife Renuka mastered the spiritual purification required to conduct complex fire rituals, famously carrying holy water in unbaked pots (made possible solely through her absolute marital fidelity.   

We find  many belonging to the  Jamadagni Gotra, honoring his foundation of moral, spiritual, and righteous living.