A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1506

c5.1506

RENUKĀ. Daughter of King Prasenajit or Renu, wife of Jamad-agni, and mother of Parasu-rāma. A sight of the connubial endearments of King Chitra-ratha and his wife inspired her with impure thoughts, and her husband, perceiving that she had “fallen from perfection,” desired her sons to kill her. Rumanwat, Su-shena, and Vasu, the three seniors, declined, and their father cursed them so that they became idiots. Parasu-rāma, the fourth son, cut off her head, which act so gratified his father that Jamad-agni promised him whatever blessings he desired. Among other things, Parasu-rāma asked that his mother might be brought back to life in ignorance of her death and in perfect purity. He also desired that his brothers might be restored to their senses. All this Jamad-agni bestowed. She was also called Konkanā.