Sage Parasurama, son of Jamadagni, waged an epic series of wars on the Kshatriyas. Saddened at the wanton annihilation that he had wrought, Parasurama offered severe penance atop the mountain heights. In a mood of profound atonement the sage heaved his mighty battle-axe into the sea. The waves formed and frothed as a prawn-shaped stretch of land extending from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari surfaced from the depths of the sea.Thus emerges Kerala from the legends of yore.