Parashurama

Parashurama is the sixth avatar of Vishnu — the warrior Brahmin sage with the axe (parasu). The son of Sage Jamadagni and Renuka, Parashurama was trained in the martial arts by Shiva himself. When the Kshatriya king Kartavirya Arjuna killed his father for the divine cow Kamadhenu, Parashurama exterminated the entire race of corrupt Kshatriyas twenty-one times over. Parashurama represents righteous anger and the defence of dharma against tyrannical rulers. He is one of the seven Chiranjeevis — immortals — and is said to still live on Mahendra Mountain. He taught martial arts to Bhishma, Drona, and Karna. He is credited with creating Kerala by pushing back the sea with his axe.

Brahmin warrior with a fierce expression, matted hair, wearing simple ochre robes. Holds the great axe (parasu) given by Shiva in his right hand, and a bow or arrows in the other. Often shown with ash marks on the forehead and a rudraksha mala.