Lord Parashu Rama sanitized earth by killing kshatirya generations for 21 times. From what Dharma calls that the one who is humble and does not raise a weapon he should be granted sharanagati, & due to this Lord Parshuram would have been merciful to the Kshatriyas who surrendered to him. So according to this formulation of Dharma how many Kshatriyas were left alive after each wipe-off for kshatriyas?.(Lord Parashu Rama did 21 such wipe-offs). This is the reason for doing 21 wipe-off, killing 21 generations of Kshatriyas.
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My answer here discusses the Kshatriyas who survived: hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/433/36 In any case Parashurama didn't spare kings who surrendered.– Keshav Srinivasan ♦Commented May 31, 2016 at 16:54
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@KeshavSrinivasan So in that case he didn't spare any kshatriyas? even the kshatriyas who were leading a life of Dharma and without commiting any sin?– YogiCommented May 31, 2016 at 17:42
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2Well, the whole point is that it was the end of the Kali Yuga, and the kings of the world had become evil.– Keshav Srinivasan ♦Commented May 31, 2016 at 17:56
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After Parshurama killed Khatris, how did again they came on Earth, i.e., the other generation killed thereafter? Tell me please?– Mohak SahuCommented May 31, 2016 at 18:44
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@MohakSahu Read the note in Keshav Srinivasan's answer it explains how Rajputs were born, for populating earth with kshatriyas again.– YogiCommented May 31, 2016 at 18:46
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1 Answer
In this chapter of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhumidevi goddess of the Earth tells the sage Kashyapa about the Kshatriyas who have survived:
There are, O, regenerate one, some foremost of Kshatriyas concealed by me among women. They were born in the race of Haihayas. Let them, O sage, protect me. There is another person of Puru's race, viz., Viduratha's son, O puissant one, who has been brought up among bears in the Rikshavat mountains. Another, viz., the son of Saudasa, has been protected, through compassion, by Parasara of immeasurable energy and ever engaged in sacrifices. Though born in one of the regenerate orders, yet like a Sudra he does everything for that Rishi and has, therefore, been named Sarvakarman (servant of all work). Sivi's son of great energy, viz., Gopati by name, has been brought up in the forest among kine. Let him, O sage, protect me. Pratardana's son, named Vatsa of great might, has been brought up among calves in a cowpen. Let that one of the royal order protect me. Dadhivahana's grandson and Diviratha's son was concealed and protected on the banks of Ganga by the sage Gautama. His name is Vrihadratha. Possessed of great energy and adorned with numerous blessed qualities, that blessed prince has been protected by wolves and the mountains of Gridhrakuta. Many Kshatriyas belonging to the race of Maratta have been protected. Equal unto the lord of Maruts in energy, they have been brought up by Ocean. These children of the Kshatriya order have been heard of as existing in different places. They are living among artisans and goldsmiths.
As I discuss in this answer, following Bhumidevi's instructions Kashyapa, who had been given the Earth by Parashurama, gave the Earth to those Kshatriyas.
answered May 16, 2017 at 15:25
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That prince Vrihadratha's story looks similar to the legend of romulus and remus. Commented May 16, 2017 at 16:43