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Rishi Jamadagni
जमदग्नि
Ancient Vedic sage of the Bhrigu lineage.
- Lineage
- Bhrigu
- Related Gotras
- 1
- Primary Location
- Ashram in the Narmada river valley
⚡Key Life Events
The Kamadhenu Incident and Death
(*Mahabharata* Vana Parva 115-117, *Bhagavata Purana* 9.15-16): Jamadagni possessed Kamadhenu (or her descendant Surabhi). The Haihaya king Kartavirya Arjuna (Sahasrarjuna — the thousand-armed king) visited his ashram and was fed lavishly by the cow. Covetous, the king's men forcibly took the cow.
Testing Renuka's Chastity
(*Mahabharata*, *Bhagavata Purana* 9.16.2-7): Jamadagni once sent his wife Renuka to fetch water from the river. She saw a Gandharva king playing in the water and was momentarily attracted. When she returned, Jamadagni sensed her impure thought through his yogic power.
🌳Family & Lineage
Richika
father
son of Aurva, grandson of Chyavana, great-grandson of Bhrigu
Satyavati
mother
daughter of King Gadhi; sister of Vishwamitra in some accounts
Renuka
wife
famous for the chastity test; later worshipped as a goddess (Renuka Yellamma in South India)
Parashurama
son
(the youngest, 6th avatar of Vishnu), Rumanvat, Sushena, Vasu, Vishvavasu
🕉️Vedic Contributions
hymns in Vedic literature
✨Associated Elements
- Confluence of Brahmin and Kshatriya: The charu-swap story symbolizes the blending of priestly and warrior castes
- Righteous anger: His fierce temper represents the protective rage of dharma
- Sanctity of the ashram: The violation of his ashram by Kartavirya's sons represents the sin of attacking a holy space
- Obedience to the guru/father: The Parashurama-Renuka episode tests filial obedience
🏔️Setting & Environment
- Ashram in the Narmada river valley — his hermitage was near the Narmada river in central India
- Foothill forest with open clearings for archery practice
- Sacrificial fire pit and an archery range — uniquely combining priestly and martial elements
- Kamadhenu grazing in the ashram grounds
- Semi-mountainous terrain — Vindhya/Satpura range area
🔗Related Gotras
This Gotra traces its lineage to Rishi Jamadagni:
In the Blog
Jamadagni Gotra: The Bhargava Lineage of a Fierce Sage
Explore the Jamadagni Gotra, the Bhargava lineage of Rishi Jamadagni, father of Parashurama. Learn its Pravara connection, Veda affiliation and heritage.
Which Surnames Carry Jamadagni and Bhargava Gotras: Lineage and Communities
Discover which Indian surnames carry the Jamadagni and Bhargava Gotras, their origins, regional distribution, and community ties.
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