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In Hindu Puranas, there are two mentions of southward spread of vedic civilization, one was by Agastya Muni and the other by Parashurama after he decimated 21 generations of Kshatriyas.

Is it known about the chronological sequence of these two unrelated events?

Vineet Menon
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  • Mahabali's son is believed to be from Andhra, according to the folktale here. Vamana lived in 7th Treta Yuga of Vaivastara Manvantara. – The Destroyer May 31 '16 at 10:12
  • How is Malabali's son from Andra when he himself ruled over Kerala? BTW, since Keralapradesham was reclaimed land from sea by Parashurama, Parashurama's southward journey has to be further in the past. – Vineet Menon May 31 '16 at 11:55
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    I think in the time of Mahabali Kerala existed, then at some point it was submerged by the ocean, then at a later time Parashurama got the ocean to recede. The story of Vamana happened long before Parashurama was even born. Parashurama was only born in the 19th Treta Yuga. – Keshav Srinivasan May 31 '16 at 13:10

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According to the Valmiki Ramayana, during his exile in Dandakaranya, Rama met the Sage Agastya (Aranyakanda, Section 11). On his way to his asylum, Rama said the following thing to his brother Lakshmana.

The righteous Agastya it is who, wishing for the welfare of the worlds, destroying by virtue of his austerities a Daitya resembling Death, hath rendered this quarter habitable. - Ramayana 3.11.54 (verse number is from Gita Press English Ed.)

He was talking about the land south of the Vindhya mountain. This will be clear from the following description. After narrating Agastya's deeds (Killing the Rakshasa Vatapi and Ilvala), Rama said -

This is the asylum of that pious one, who destroying (the Asura resembling) Death, hath, desirous of the welfare of mankind, rendered the Southern quarter habitable, and through whose potency the Rākshasas from fear barely cast their eyes in this direction, but do not approach. Ever since that one of pious ways possessed himself of this quarter, the rangers of the night have foregone their hostility, and assumed a peaceful attitude. This Southern quarter rendered safe (by Agastya), and incapable of being harassed by those ones of tortuous ways, is celebrated over the three worlds in conection with the name of the reverend ascetic. And this graceful asylum ranged by mild beasts belongs to that long-lived one of renowned achievements— Agastya—in obedience to whose command, the Vindhya mountain—foremost of its kind—which had always obstructed the way of the Sun, doth not increase. - Ramayana 3.11.81-85 (verse numbers are from Gita Press English Ed.)

The repeated mention of the fact that it was Agastya who rendered the southern quarter habitable for the Aryans, it is clear that he was the first who spread the Vedic civilization to the South. If it was already made habitable by Parashurama, then Rama would not have said that Agastya made it habitable.

References -

The Ramayana - Translated into English Prose from the original Sanskrit of Vālmīki by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
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