Once, Lord Parasurama had killed all the Kshatriyas on the earth to avenge the death of his father, at the hands of the sons of King Kartavirya.
Once he had finished off all Kshatriyas, Lord Parasurama threw his axe across the sea, from Kanyakumari to Gokarna, and created the land across 160 katams (an old measure of distance), which is now known as Keralam.
This land was the most fertile which boasts itself of 44 rivers. At this time 8 Brahmin families came and requested Lord Parasurama that they settle in this populace land which was covered in prosperity and opulence so that they can concentrate on their spiritual studies and continue their penance. Lord Parasuram granted their wish.
But over time the inhabitants got carried away with the comfortable life that they took things for granted and faultered in their duties.
When Lord Parasuram came to know of this and cursed the Brahmins ‘Dharmesh Yuthi Bhavishyathi’ – ‘Now, let there be so much infighting and squabbling between you all that even when you need me, all of you cannot sit together and pray, and make my presence obligatory here’
The Brahmins requested the Lord for forgiveness for their ignorance. Lord Parasuram adviced them that they should never forget their duties and should always remember Krishna.
Therefore he adviced that every year this day they offer the crop yield, grains, new clothes gold, fruits, flowers etc., to Lord Vishnu and live a duty bound life the rest of the year. This way they will get rid of their false ego and pride (ahankaaram).
We should live with this prasaadam a whole year. This is to remind us that whatever we get in life is a prasaadam from Lord Narayana.This VISHNU pooja conducted every year..later came to be called as VISHU..
Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (chapter 2..shloka 62),
‘prasade sarva-duhkhanam
hanir asyopajayate
prasanna-cetaso hy asu
buddhih paryavatisthate’
Meaning:
For one who is so situated in the Divine consciousness, the threefold miseries of material existence exist no longer; in such a happy state, one’s intelligence soon becomes steady.
Wishing all my family and friends a very Happy Vishnu Pooja???