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{{ | {{short description|Sanskrit term for axe}} | ||
{{Infobox weapon | {{Infobox weapon | ||
| name = Parashu | | name = Parashu | ||
| image = Parashurama.jpg | | image = Parashurama.jpg | ||
| image_size = 200 | | image_size = 200 | ||
| caption = [[ | | caption = [[Parashurama]] holding a parashu | ||
| origin = India | | origin = India | ||
| type = Axe | | type = Axe | ||
<!-- Type selection --> | <!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = | ||
| is_ranged = | |||
| is_bladed = Yes | | is_bladed = Yes | ||
| is_explosive = | | is_explosive = | ||
| is_artillery = | | is_artillery = | ||
| is_vehicle = | | is_vehicle = | ||
| is_missile = | | is_missile = | ||
| is_UK = | | is_UK = <!-- Service history --> | ||
<!-- Service history --> | | service = | ||
| service = | | used_by = | ||
| used_by = | | wars = <!-- Production history --> | ||
| wars = | | designer = | ||
<!-- Production history --> | | design_date = | ||
| designer = | | manufacturer = | ||
| design_date = | | unit_cost = | ||
| manufacturer = | | production_date = | ||
| unit_cost = | | number = | ||
| production_date = | | variants = <!-- General specifications --> | ||
| number = | | spec_label = | ||
| variants = | | weight = | ||
<!-- General specifications --> | | length = | ||
| spec_label = | | part_length = | ||
| weight = | | width = | ||
| length = | | height = | ||
| part_length = | | diameter = | ||
| width = | | crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> | ||
| height = | | cartridge = | ||
| diameter = | | cartridge_weight = | ||
| crew = | | caliber = | ||
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> | | barrels = | ||
| cartridge = | | action = | ||
| cartridge_weight = | | rate = | ||
| caliber = | | velocity = | ||
| barrels = | | range = | ||
| action = | | max_range = | ||
| rate = | | feed = | ||
| velocity = | | sights = <!-- Artillery specifications --> | ||
| range = | | breech = | ||
| max_range = | | recoil = | ||
| feed = | | carriage = | ||
| sights = | | elevation = | ||
<!-- Artillery specifications --> | | traverse = <!-- Bladed weapon specifications --> | ||
| breech = | | blade_type = | ||
| recoil = | | hilt_type = | ||
| carriage = | | sheath_type = | ||
| elevation = | | head_type = | ||
| traverse = | | haft_type = <!-- Explosive specifications --> | ||
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications --> | | filling = | ||
| blade_type = | | filling_weight = | ||
| hilt_type = | | detonation = | ||
| sheath_type = | | yield = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications --> | ||
| head_type = | | armour = | ||
| haft_type = | | primary_armament = | ||
<!-- Explosive specifications --> | | secondary_armament = | ||
| filling = | | engine = | ||
| filling_weight = | | engine_power = | ||
| detonation = | | pw_ratio = | ||
| yield = | | transmission = | ||
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications --> | | payload_capacity = | ||
| armour = | | suspension = | ||
| primary_armament = | | clearance = | ||
| secondary_armament = | | fuel_capacity = | ||
| engine = | | vehicle_range = | ||
| engine_power = | | speed = | ||
| pw_ratio = | | guidance = | ||
| transmission = | | steering = <!-- Missiles only --> | ||
| payload_capacity = | | wingspan = | ||
| suspension = | | propellant = | ||
| clearance = | | ceiling = | ||
| fuel_capacity = | | altitude = | ||
| vehicle_range = | | depth = | ||
| speed = | | boost = | ||
| guidance = | | accuracy = | ||
| steering = | | launch_platform = | ||
<!-- Missiles only --> | | transport = | ||
| wingspan = | |||
| propellant = | |||
| ceiling = | |||
| altitude = | |||
| depth = | |||
| boost = | |||
| accuracy = | |||
| launch_platform = | |||
| transport = | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Parashu''' ({{lang-sa| | '''Parashu''' ({{lang-sa|Paraśu|script=Latn}}) is the [[Sanskrit]] word for a [[Battle axe|battle-axe]], which can be wielded with one or both hands.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prasoon |first=Prof. Shrikant |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/458319817 |title=Rishis & rishikās |date=2009 |publisher=[[Pustak Mahal]] |isbn=978-81-223-1072-6 |location=New Delhi |oclc=458319817}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rajan |first=Rahul |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1039999907 |title=Rudrāvan |date=2016 |isbn=978-93-5201-765-2 |location=Mumbai, India |oclc=1039999907}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Agarwal |first=Himanshu |title=Mahabharata Retold : Part - 1 |publisher=Notion Press |year=2016 |isbn=9789386073877}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bane |first=Theresa |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1156664542 |title=Encyclopedia of mythological objects |date=2020 |isbn=978-1-4766-3920-8 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |pages=120 |oclc=1156664542}}</ref> | ||
==Construction== | ==Construction== | ||
The parashu could be double-edge bladed or single-edge bladed with a spike on the non cutting edge. It usually measures between 3 – 5 feet though some are as long as 7 feet. The parashu is usually made of iron or [[wootz steel]]. The cutting edge is broader than the edge which is attached to the haft. The haft is often tied with a leather sheet to provide a good grip. | The parashu could be double-edge bladed or single-edge bladed with a spike on the non cutting edge. It usually measures between 3 – 5 feet though some are as long as 7 feet. The parashu is usually made of iron or [[wootz steel]]. The cutting edge is broader than the edge which is attached to the haft. The haft is often tied with a leather sheet to provide a good grip.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramsey |first=Syed |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/971924562 |title=Tools of War: History of Weapons in Ancient Times |publisher=Vij Books India Private Limited |isbn=93-86019-80-9 |location= |oclc=971924562}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Hinduism== | ||
The parashu named Vidyudabhi is the weapon of the god [[Shiva]] who gave it to [[Parashurama]], sixth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], whose name means "Rama with the axe" and also taught him its mastery. | The parashu named Vidyudabhi is the weapon of the god [[Shiva]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=COULTER |first=CHARLES RUSSELL. TURNER, PATRICIA |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/encyclopedia-of-ancient-deities/oclc/1288466239 |title=ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANCIENT DEITIES |date=2020 |publisher=MCFARLAND |isbn=978-0-7864-9179-7 |location=S.l. |language=English |oclc=1288466239}}</ref> who gave it to [[Parashurama]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Abhilash |date=7 May 2016 |title=Parashu Weapon - The Divine Axe Weapon of Parshuram and Shiva |url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2012/01/parashu-divine-weapon-of-parashuram-and.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chaturvedi |first=B.K |url=http://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/product/openreader?id=none&isbn=9789352967636 |title=Brahmavaivarta Purana |date=1900 |publisher=Diamond Books |isbn=978-93-5296-763-6 |language=English |oclc=1203945947}}</ref> the sixth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rout |first=Professor Sanjay |url=https://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/product/openreader?id=none&isbn=9781716251085 |title=Crystals and Life Transition |date=2021 |publisher=Lulu |isbn=978-1-716-25108-5 |language=English |oclc=1259431189}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Varma |first=Ravi |title=Vishnu's sixth avatar Parashu Rama. Chromolithograph by R. Varma. |url=https://jstor.org/stable/community.24898574 |journal=Vishnu's Sixth Avatar Parashu Rama |via=JSTOR}}</ref> whose name means "Rama with the axe" and also taught him its mastery.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=A. V |url=http://www.123library.org/book_details/?id=18312 |title=Hinduism for dummies |date=2011 |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |isbn=978-1-118-11076-8 |location=Hoboken, N.J. |language=English |oclc=745970735}}</ref> Parashurama was the guru of [[Dronacharya]], the guru who instructed the [[Pandavas]] in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. [[Bhishma]] and [[Karna]], half brother of Pandava also took instruction in weaponry from Parashurama. Parashurama was known to have terrible temper, having lost his father to the wicked Kshatriya [[Kartavirya Arjuna]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/japan-mini-set-f-philosophy-religion/oclc/1241441493 |title=Japan mini-set. F, F |date=2010 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |isbn=978-1-136-90356-4 |location=London |pages=472 |language=English |oclc=1241441493}}</ref> (not to be confused with Arjuna of Mahabharata). Parashurama's weapon had supernatural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft. | ||
The parashu was known as the most lethal close combat | The parashu was known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics. It is one of the weapons of [[Shiva]], [[Parashurama]], and [[Durga]] and is still depicted on their idols throughout India. It is also one of the weapons of [[Ganesha]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/733724186 |title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha |date=2011 |publisher=[[Jaico Publishing House]] |isbn=978-81-8495-152-3 |location=Mumbai |pages=45 |oclc=733724186}}</ref> and the main weapon of [[Sahadeva]] and [[Shakuni]]. | ||
==Legend== | |||
The regional Hindu creation myth of [[Kerala]] is often attributed to the parashu of Parashurama. According to tradition, Parashurama was offered boons by both [[Varuna]] and [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]], the deities who personify the ocean and the earth, respectively. He is stated to have travelled to [[Kanyakumari]], the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, and thrown his axe northward, recovering a swathe of land from the ocean, which would become Kerala.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhargava |first=S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TDCKdPpbFPAC&dq=parashurama+kerala+axe&pg=PA18 |title=Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Kerala |date=2006 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-370-8 |pages=18 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology]] | [[Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Axes]] | ||
[[Category:Ancient weapons]] | [[Category:Ancient weapons]] | ||
[[Category:Indian melee weapons]] | [[Category:Indian melee weapons]] | ||
[[Category:Weapons of India]] | [[Category:Weapons of India]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:33, 21 December 2022
| Parashu | |
|---|---|
 Parashurama holding a parashu | |
| Type | Axe |
| Place of origin | India |
Parashu (Sanskrit: Paraśu) is the Sanskrit word for a battle-axe, which can be wielded with one or both hands.[1][2][3][4]
Construction[edit | edit source]
The parashu could be double-edge bladed or single-edge bladed with a spike on the non cutting edge. It usually measures between 3 – 5 feet though some are as long as 7 feet. The parashu is usually made of iron or wootz steel. The cutting edge is broader than the edge which is attached to the haft. The haft is often tied with a leather sheet to provide a good grip.[5]
Hinduism[edit | edit source]
The parashu named Vidyudabhi is the weapon of the god Shiva[6] who gave it to Parashurama,[7][8] the sixth avatar of Vishnu,[9][10] whose name means "Rama with the axe" and also taught him its mastery.[11] Parashurama was the guru of Dronacharya, the guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. Bhishma and Karna, half brother of Pandava also took instruction in weaponry from Parashurama. Parashurama was known to have terrible temper, having lost his father to the wicked Kshatriya Kartavirya Arjuna[12] (not to be confused with Arjuna of Mahabharata). Parashurama's weapon had supernatural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft.
The parashu was known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics. It is one of the weapons of Shiva, Parashurama, and Durga and is still depicted on their idols throughout India. It is also one of the weapons of Ganesha,[13] and the main weapon of Sahadeva and Shakuni.
Legend[edit | edit source]
The regional Hindu creation myth of Kerala is often attributed to the parashu of Parashurama. According to tradition, Parashurama was offered boons by both Varuna and Bhudevi, the deities who personify the ocean and the earth, respectively. He is stated to have travelled to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, and thrown his axe northward, recovering a swathe of land from the ocean, which would become Kerala.[14]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Prasoon, Prof. Shrikant (2009). Rishis & rishikās. New Delhi: Pustak Mahal. ISBN 978-81-223-1072-6. OCLC 458319817.
- ↑ Rajan, Rahul (2016). Rudrāvan. Mumbai, India. ISBN 978-93-5201-765-2. OCLC 1039999907.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ Agarwal, Himanshu (2016). Mahabharata Retold : Part - 1. Notion Press. ISBN 9789386073877.
- ↑ Bane, Theresa (2020). Encyclopedia of mythological objects. Jefferson, North Carolina. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-4766-3920-8. OCLC 1156664542.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ Ramsey, Syed. Tools of War: History of Weapons in Ancient Times. Vij Books India Private Limited. ISBN 93-86019-80-9. OCLC 971924562.
- ↑ COULTER, CHARLES RUSSELL. TURNER, PATRICIA (2020). ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANCIENT DEITIES. S.l.: MCFARLAND. ISBN 978-0-7864-9179-7. OCLC 1288466239.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Rajendran, Abhilash (7 May 2016). "Parashu Weapon - The Divine Axe Weapon of Parshuram and Shiva". Retrieved 2022-03-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Chaturvedi, B.K (1900). Brahmavaivarta Purana. Diamond Books. ISBN 978-93-5296-763-6. OCLC 1203945947.
- ↑ Rout, Professor Sanjay (2021). Crystals and Life Transition. Lulu. ISBN 978-1-716-25108-5. OCLC 1259431189.
- ↑ Varma, Ravi. "Vishnu's sixth avatar Parashu Rama. Chromolithograph by R. Varma". Vishnu's Sixth Avatar Parashu Rama – via JSTOR.
- ↑ Srinivasan, A. V (2011). Hinduism for dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. ISBN 978-1-118-11076-8. OCLC 745970735.
- ↑ Japan mini-set. F, F. London: Taylor & Francis. 2010. p. 472. ISBN 978-1-136-90356-4. OCLC 1241441493.
- ↑ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2011). 99 Thoughts on Ganesha. Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House. p. 45. ISBN 978-81-8495-152-3. OCLC 733724186.
- ↑ Bhargava, S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. (2006). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Kerala. Gyan Publishing House. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7835-370-8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)