Parshurama the Brahmin Warrior is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu appears as a priest (Brahman) who comes to the world to protect the earthlings from the autocracy of the Kshatriyas. Born to Jamadagni and Renuka, the birth name of Parshurama was Bhargava R?ma. He had received an ax (Parshu) from Lord Shiva after undertaking terrible reparation. Hence, he came to be known as Parshurama.

The symbolic form of the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu i.e. the ax which is the weapon of his identity is depicted on the coins of at least two major dynasties of Indi i.e. the Cera Kings of Venad and the coins of Maratha King Peshwa Bajirao.

The coin is a Silver rupee issued by the Peshwa Bajirao in the name of Shah Ali Gauhar (Shah Alam II). The coin is inscribed with Persian legend “Sikka Mubarak Badshah Ghazi Shah Ali Gauhar” on the obverse along with the Hijri Year. The Reverse of the coin features Sana Reignal Year of Shah Alam II and the inscription “Julus Maimanat Manus” and the most importantly the battle-ax symbol in the loop of the Persian letter “Seen” of Julus.

Image Courtesy: todywalla