Rishi Jamadagni was in the lineage of Maharshi Bhrigu. His wife's name was Renukaa who was the daughter of Renu Rishi (or she was the daughter of king Prasenjit?). They had five sons - Rumanvaan, Sushen, Vasu, Vishwaavasu and Parashuraam. Parashuraam was the youngest.

Once Renukaa went to a river to bring water for Maharshi's worship. There she saw Gandharv Raaj Chitrarath playing with his wives in the river. She watched him for sometime. She forgot to take water, she got late. seeing him, she also wished for a young husband, but soon she overtook her thoughts. When she came back with water, Rishi had already know about her mind. He became very angry and asked his eldest son to behead his mother. but he did not do so. Then he asked his second son, then third son and then fourth son, but nobody could do it.

In the last he asked his youngest son Parshuraam to behead his mother as well as his brothers. He did so promptly. At this Jamadagni got very pleased with him and asked him to ask for any Var. Parashuraam, without even second thought, asked to bring all alive and incorporate them in the family. Jamadagni did so and gave him other Var also.

Later he was killed by Sahastraarjun's people. Because of this Parashuraam emptied Prithvi from Kshatriya 21 times. He built five ponds from their blood.