King Kartavirya trying to take the divine cow of sage Jamadagni

Jamadagni Ashrama: King Kartavirya trying to take the divine cow of sage Jamadagni:

(Brahmanda Purana - 26 to 30)

Lord Parashurama

• Meditation: I meditate on the Parashurama Avatara of Lord Vishnu.

• King Kartavirya going on a hunting spree: During that time, king Kartavirya, the lord of the Haihaya, went on a hunting spree on the Vindhya mountain accompanied by the army of four constituents. During that time the sages were performing their early morning duties on the bank of river Narmada. Due to the killing of various animals, the forest was agitated. When the Sun reached the zenith in the sky, the king and the army felt thirsty and went to the bank of river Narmada. They drank its cool waters, took bath and rested there. When the Sun came down in the firmament, the king started returning towards his capital.
(Brahmanda Purana - 26)

• King Kartavirya visiting the hermitage of sage Jamadagni: When the king was returning towards his capital he saw the hermitage of sage Jamadagni on the bank of river Narmada. The king keeping his army away visited the sage with a few attendants. Sage Jamadagni extended his hospitality to the king with Arghya, Padya and Asana. After conversing for sometime, when the king was about to return, the sage Jamadagni invited him to be his guest. The king said that he is accompanied by a great army and it will be difficult for the sage to extend hospitality. Also, the indisciplined soldiers may disturb the religious observances of the hermitage. However, sage Jamadagni said that he will provide hospitality to the king along with the armies.
(Brahmanda Purana - 26)

• Sage Jamadagni extending hospitality to the king through the holy cow: Sage Jamadagni then called the holy cow to extend the hospitality to the king and the army in a fitting manner. The holy cow with its power created entire city with palaces filled with luxury for the hospitality of the king and his armies. The cow also created men and women to serve the king. The women were beautifully adorned and expert in various love gestures which can attract the mind. The king and his army was filled with wonder seeing all this which surpassed the city of the king. They greatly enjoyed their stay in that city for a night. In the morning the king took leave of sage Jamadagni and said that they have seen the power of penance of the sage. It is by that power that the worlds are supported. When the king was returning the entire created city merged within the cow.
(Brahmanda Purana - 26 to 28)

• Minister advising the king to take the cow; preceptor Garga protesting: While the king was returning, his minister advised the king to take possession of the cow. Garga, the preceptor of the king protested saying that taking possession of the property of a brahmana will lead to his downfall. The minister insulted the preceptor saying that brahmanas do not understand the state of affairs of a king, and they only take charitable gifts. Therefore, the king should take possession of the cow. The king should offer other valuables to the sage in return for the cow. The king told the minister to propitiate the sage and bring the cow in return for other valuables.
(Brahmanda Purana - 28)

• Minister trying to take the cow and killing sage Jamadagni: When the king had departed, Parashurama along with Akritavana went to the forest to collect sacrificial twigs. During that time the minister entered the hermitage of the sage accompanied by the army. The minister initially told the sage to give the cow in exchange of various gifts but sage Jamadagni refused saying that the cow provides him with the means of Homa and he will not part with it even if Indra asks for it. Then the minister by force tried to take away the cow. Sage Jamadagni furiously resisted by holding to the neck of the cow while the cow was being dragged away. The soldiers hit him and separated him from the cow. Sage Jamadagni even though endowed with the power of penance to destroy the enemy did not give vent to anger. He was hit by the soldiers and became unconscious (and died). The minister became afraid and tried to take away the cow hastily by tying it with ropes. The cow then in anger set itself free and with its horns routed the soldiers, ascended to the sky and disappeared. The minister then tied the calf and took it to the king. The minister was agitated and narrated everything to the king. The king felt distressed at the turn of events and repented for not having heeded to the words of his priest. With grief-stricken heart, he returned to his capital.
(Brahmanda Purana - 28 to 30)

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

• Stotras

• Scriptures

• Pilgrimages - by Groups - by Deities - by States - by Geography

• Sacred Geography - Mountains - Rivers

• Festivals

• Sages - Hermitages - Penances

• Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

• Sadhana

• Sanskrit

• Nature

• Arts and Sciences

• Bharatavarsha - Puranic History - Puranic Lineage