f.6

A depiction of Parashurama, the sixth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, who takes the form of a warrior with an axe. According to Hindu belief, Parashurama came to earth to prevent it being overwhelmed by evil.

Parashurama is depicted slaying the thousand-armed warrior king Kartavirya, left, whose arms he has chopped off with this axe. Parashurama avenges the death of his father Jamadagni whose body lies in the right background. Flying on the left is Jamadagni's wish-granting cow who has escaped from Kartavirya to the sky.

This painting is from a series depicting the ten avatars of Vishnu. For further information on this series see RCIN 1005115.