Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2136

c7.2136

7) Kārtavīrya and Reṇukā's Death. One day when Paraśurāma was fourteen years old, his father sage Jamadagni went to the forest to fetch some Samits (sacrificial twigs). Jamadagni's wife, Reṇukā swept and cleaned the Āśrama and went to the river Revā to fetch water and Paraśurāma was left behind in the Āśrama. When she reached the river bank, she saw Kārtavīryārjuna indulging in amorous pleasures with his wives in the water. She waited unobserved on the bank for some time and after they left the place, she stepped into the river. But since the water was muddy, she had to go to another place in the river to get clear water. There also she lingered for a few minutes, looking at the amorous amusements of Citraratha, King of Sālva, with his wives. It was only after they had departed that she was able to return to the Āśrama with water. Meanwhile Jamadagni who had returned to the Āśrama earlier was angry at her delay and was waiting impatiently for her arrival. As soon as she reached the Āśrama, the sage, in a fit of fury, ordered Paraśurāma to cut off her head and the latter obeyed him. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 58).