History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.334

v6.c81.334

On the third of Vaiśākha bright half is celebrated 'Paraśurāmajayantī'.²²⁴ It is to be celebrated in the first *prahara* (watch) of the night ('sūryāstottaram trimuhūrtaḥ pradoṣaḥ' Dharmasindhu p 9) It is stated in the Skanda²²⁵ and Bhaviṣya purāṇas that Viṣṇu was born from Reṇukā on the third of the bright half of Vaiśākha when the nakṣatra was Punarvasu and in the first watch of the night and when six planets were *ucca* (in exaltation) and Rāhu was in the zodiacal sign Mithuna (Gemini) The image of Paraśurāma is to be worshipped and *arghya* is to be offered to it with the mantra quoted below²²⁶ If the third tithi is *śuddhā* (i e not mixed with another tithi) the vrata (i e fast) is to be performed that day, but if on two days there is third tithi in the evening first watch even partially, then the later one is to be the day of the fast, otherwise (if the third is *viddhā*, but does not extend up to the first watch of the night) the fast should be observed on the first of the two days There are some temples erected in honour of Paraśurāma, particularly in the Konkana such as the one near Chiplun in which Paraśurāma-jayantī is celebrated with great ceremony Vide N S p. 95, Sm. K p 112, P. C 89 for further details H V I p 117 gives directions as to the image or painting of Paraśurāma But Paraśurāma-jayantī is not observed in several parts of India (such as Saurāṣtra), though observed in South India