The primordial ancestors of the Perki caste were Giriraaju, a descendant of the Ikshvaku dynasty, and his wife Jagatidevi.
For many years, this couple had no children, and they were deeply sorrowful. To fulfill their desire for a son, they performed penance and worshipped Malhar Deva (Lord Shiva) with great devotion. Pleased with their devotion, the deity granted them a boon: they would be blessed with one son and one daughter.
In due course, a son was born to them. Since his birth was the result of the power of penance, he was named Siddhiraju. A daughter was also born, who was named Renuka. When Renuka reached marriageable age, she was married to Sage Jamadagni, while Siddhiraju married Taridevi.
“The primordial ancestors of the Perki were
Giriraju and his wife Jagatidevi.”
Later, the couple Taridevi and Siddhiraju had five sons—Veerraju, Giriraju, and three others—and a daughter named Chandramati. Meanwhile, Renuka and Sage Jamadagni also had five sons—Rumanvant, Parashurama, and three others.
Among them, Rumanvant became the king of Mahishmati Puri, while Parashurama, like his father, became an ascetic. Rumanvant had a daughter named Gauri, who was extremely beautiful and graceful. In time, Veerraju (son of Siddhiraju) and Gauri fell in love with each other during their youth.
Veerraju and Giriraju were extremely strong and valiant. Along with their companions, they helped their father Siddhiraju rule the kingdom with great skill. All of Siddhiraju’s governance and policies were in the interest of the people, which made his subjects very pleased with him. Out of respect and love, they joyfully hailed him, considering it their good fortune to have such a ruler.
While the kingdom was running smoothly for the welfare and happiness of the people, one day Sage Narada came to Siddhiraju. He informed him of the terrible vow of Parashurama, who had sworn: “I will rid the earth of Kshatriyas twenty-one times.”
Narada suggested that some means must be found to protect the royal family and its members, because Parashurama would no longer tolerate anyone bearing the title Raju (meaning king). If he saw the word Raju in a name, or if he realized someone was a Kshatriya, he would kill them. Since Parashurama was an incarnation of Narayana (a partial avatar of Vishnu), his vow could not go unfulfilled.
Therefore, Narada advised: “I think it would be best if you remove the word ‘Raju’ (king) from the names of yourself and your family members.”
Siddhiraju conveyed this matter to his sons. However, his sons insisted: “If we remove the word ‘Raju’ from our names, it will diminish our valor and damage our honor. Therefore, we will not drop the title ‘Raju’ from our names.”
This caused Siddhiraju great worry and anxiety. He was at a loss for what to do. He realized that Parashurama would certainly kill his sons, and he could not bear to witness such a dreadful act. Thus, he resolved to give up his own life.
At that moment, Veerraju and…
Giriraaju, however, persuaded his brother away from the idea of suicide and agreed to a change in their names. The word “Raju” (king) was dropped, and in its place the word “Mallu” (meaning wrestler/warrior) was added. Thus, instead of being called Veerraju, he became Veeramallu, and instead of Giriraaju, he became Girimallu.
Although they obeyed their father’s wish and changed their names, they felt dishonored. Remaining in that city now seemed disgraceful to them. Therefore, they decided to leave their kingdom and go wandering. Accordingly, they loaded their oxen with jewels, yellow garments, and other possessions, gathered some of their kin and companions, abandoned their own city and kingdom, and set out on a journey.
Stage by stage, their wandering life began. Whenever they came to a village, they would set up tents in an open field and camp there for the night. If there was no village, they halted in the mountains, valleys, or forests. Gradually, wandering itself became their very nature. Nomadism became their way of life, and they turned completely into traders.
During this wandering life with all his companions, one day Veeramallu (formerly Veerraju) was overcome with memories of his beloved Gauri. An irresistible longing arose within him to see and meet her again. He resolved to visit her. And so, still in his wandering guise and accompanied by his caravan, he began traveling toward Mahishmati city, where King Rumanvant (Gauri’s father) ruled.
After some days of travel, they finally reached Mahishmati. They pitched their tents in the open field facing the fort, from where the royal palace could be seen. There they began their trade of buying and selling. This activity drew many townsfolk to their camp.
One evening, after finishing his business, Veeramallu was strolling casually in front of the tents when a deep yearning arose within him to see Gauri’s face. It was summer. Seeking fresh air, Princess Gauri came up to the palace rooftop. She cast her playful gaze around, enjoying the cool atmosphere. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the tent pitched in the field before the fort. Curious, she asked her maids about the tent.
At that very moment, Veeramallu, standing in front of the tent, saw Gauri. He instantly recognized her. But Gauri did not recognize her lover, for Veeramallu (formerly Veerraju), having set out for his wandering life with his younger brother, now looked completely different…
Since Veeramallu had left long ago and there was no news of him anywhere, Princess Gauri was restless in his separation. She spent her days in worship, praying for a glimpse of her beloved. But today, when she suddenly saw the handsome figure walking before the tent, memories of Veeramallu surged strongly within her.
Her desire to know about the people in the tent became unbearable. She impatiently called her maid and asked who they were. The maid replied that they were Mallu people, who had come there for trade.
Then the princess asked her maid to bring some jewels, Chinese silk cloths, and ornaments from them to see. The maid quickly went and brought back some fine garments, ornaments, and gems, and showed them to Gauri. Liking the items, Gauri sent her maid back to ask the price.
When the maid inquired about the price, Veeramallu asked in return: “Who wants these?” The maid answered: “The princess desires them.”
Veeramallu replied: “Then there is no need for any payment. Whatever she desires, she may take freely.”
The maid returned and told Princess Gauri what Veeramallu had said. Gauri grew suspicious—“How can an ordinary trader be so generous? Why should he give me such valuable items for free?” She was astonished.
So she instructed her maids to inquire further about these people. They returned with the information that the leader of the traders, Veeramallu, is none other than Veerraju himself.
At this, the princess was overcome with boundless joy. Her happiness knew no limits. She longed to meet him at once. Her curiosity and eagerness grew unbearable. She told her maids: “Let me see the jewels, ornaments, and garments I desire myself.” Saying so, without wasting another moment, that very dark night she entered Veeramallu’s tent.
At last, Veeramallu and Gauri met face to face. Both were overwhelmed with emotion. Their joy knew no bounds. In that blissful, thrilled state of mind, they gazed at each other for a long time.
Veeramallu had found Gauri. The very purpose for which he had come was now fulfilled. So he decided that there was no reason to remain there any longer. At once, he resolved to set out with Gauri on the next stage of his journey.
With all his entourage, Veeramallu took Gauri along and, in the middle of the night, set out on his further journey, continuing his wandering life.
When dawn broke, news spread through every corner of the fort that Princess Gauri was missing from the palace. The maids informed King Rumanvant of the matter and narrated in detail all that had occurred. It was also discovered that the tents in front of the fort had disappeared. From this, it became clear that the people from those tents had abducted Gauri.
The king immediately set out with his army in pursuit. They encountered Veeramallu and his companions in the forest. A fierce battle took place. However, due to Veeramallu’s powerful and aggressive attack, Rumanvant was forced to retreat—indeed, he had to flee for his very life.
When the news of his brother’s defeat reached Parashurama, his anger knew no bounds. To avenge his brother’s humiliation, he set out at once against Veeramallu. In a dense forest, the two finally came face to face.
Parashurama declared: “I have come here to punish you for abducting Princess Gauri. You must pay the price for this sinful act. I will not rest until I teach you a lesson for your audacity in forcibly taking the princess.”
In response, Veeramallu offered arguments: “Bhargava! What we have done is not wrong. Are kings not supposed to be jewel-collectors? And is not a woman of beauty herself a precious jewel? We possess many gems, but since we lacked this jewel of womanhood, we took it. How then can you call this an offense of ours?”
Enraged, Parashurama thundered: “If you call yourselves kings—if you claim to be Kshatriyas—then according to my vow, I must kill you! There is no room for forgiveness now. Prepare yourselves for battle!” Saying this, he strung his bow.
Veeramallu too accepted the challenge of war. He began countering Parashurama’s arrows with his own. A fierce battle raged between them. At one point, one of Veeramallu’s arrows struck Parashurama, rendering him unconscious.
Naturally, this brought immense joy to Veeramallu and his companions. But at that moment, Veeramallu remembered the words of his father—that Parashurama was a partial incarnation of Narayana and therefore immortal…
He knew that Parashurama was immortal—he could awaken from his unconscious state at any moment and destroy them. Even so, Veeramallu reminded himself and his companions: “We are Kshatriyas. To flee in fear is not our dharma. We must not despair. Even if Lord Brahma himself were to obstruct us, we must not hesitate, but remain ready for battle. To fulfill our duty, to complete the task we have undertaken, and to achieve success in it—this alone is the true dharma of a Kshatriya.” Thus, Veeramallu inspired courage in his companions, urging them not to falter in this situation. He then resolved that before Parashurama regained consciousness, he must first fulfill his vow by marrying Gauri according to proper rituals.
With this decision, Veeramallu, accompanied by Gauri and a few close companions, went to the hermitage of some sages nearby in the forest, close to the battlefield.
At the hermitage near the battlefield, the marriage of Veeramallu and Gauri was solemnized.
During the wedding, the sage’s wife gave her blessings by touching them with an arrow (a symbol of valor). For the ceremony, Ramallu prepared everything:
- A new wooden platform covered with silk cloth,
- A silk canopy decorated with pearl garlands, and other auspicious arrangements.
Five devotees of the Sun were appointed. Around each devotee’s waist a sword was tied. Each of them touched the sword-belt three times with sacred rice (akshata), and then tied the rice back onto the sword as a ritual blessing.
After this, Veeramallu removed the quiver of arrows from his back…
At the sage’s hermitage near the battlefield, after the marriage of Veeramallu and Gauri, the sage’s wife blessed them by touching them with an arrow.”
The arrows were placed upright and worshipped. As a symbol of their wandering, trading tradition, they also worshipped a gunta (gunny sack). Then, following the guidance of the sages, Gauri and Veeramallu completed their marriage rituals.
Since there was no time to fashion a golden mangalasutra, on the sage’s advice a cord of one hundred threads was prepared. Into this, a virtuous woman strung black beads, creating a sacred necklace. This mangalsutra was then tied by Veeramallu around the bride’s neck, and thus the marriage was completed.
The sage’s wife placed milk in a golden vessel, dipped the tip of an arrow into it, and blessed the couple by offering them sweet rice cooked in milk. Veeramallu and Gauri bowed before the sage and his wife, received their blessings, and then Veeramallu quickly returned to the battlefield with Gauri.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the unconscious Parashurama regained his senses. Realizing that the warrior who had rendered him unconscious was no ordinary man, he nevertheless, in anger, rushed at Veeramallu and his family, declaring: “I will kill them all right now!”
He invoked and released the Narayanastra, a divine missile filled with mantras, against Veeramallu. In response, Veeramallu remembered his family deity, Malhar (Lord Shiva), and released the Pashupatastra to counter the Narayanastra.
The blazing power of these two mighty weapons shook both earth and sky. People feared that this collision might destroy the entire human race, perhaps even bring about the end of the world.
The Mallu people prayed earnestly to their deity Malhar (Shiva) for mercy. With heartfelt devotion, they worshipped him inwardly. Then Lord Malhar himself appeared, intervened, and neutralized both weapons, thus saving creation from destruction.
Malhar reminded Parashurama of their non-duality: “Parashurama and I are one—where is the question of duality between us?” On hearing this, Parashurama’s anger subsided.
Then Malhar said to Parashurama: “Veeramallu is my beloved devotee. And if he is my devotee, he is also yours. Moreover, the man who can defeat you in battle is now your son-in-law, the husband of your daughter. Should this not bring you joy and pride?”
Saying this, Lord Malhar himself took Veeramallu’s hand and placed it in Parashurama’s. The two then embraced one another with affection.
“And although their community was once Kshatriya, they have now completely adopted a trading way of life. They are firmly settled in business. Therefore, your vow does not apply to them. Hence, instead of enmity, you should form bonds of kinship with them. You should marry Veeramallu’s sister Chandramati,” suggested Lord Malhar.
Accepting his advice, Parashurama took Chandramati as his wife. After this, Lord Malhar disappeared. Such is this ancient history.