Parasurama Tradition and the theory of Brahmana-Kshatriya Alliance in Ancient India

Abstract

A prominent aspect found in historiography of ancient India has been imposing greater importance to the alliance between the two upper categories in the society, namely, brahmans and ksatriyas. However, a study of Parasuràma tradition as presented in the puranas and epics of ancient ard medieval period shows that the nature of relation between the two upper categories was not so cordial. In addition to this it is attempted to show that there are evidences to prove the hostility between brahmans and ksatriyas. In other words the story of Parasuràma extinguishing ksatriyas for twenty-one times does obtains importance in the context of the tension that existed between these two varnas. This article attempts to narrate and analyse the Parasuràma tradition both in greater and local puranic tradition.