Saint Bhrigu, a sage in Hinduism was one of the seven Saptrishis. He is celebrated for his contribution to bringing predictive astrology to light. Brighu Samhita is one of his epic books known to be an astrology classic. In this blog we will bring an iconic tale of Bhrigu testing the trinity and why Lakshmi cursed Brahmins.
Once upon a time, all the Rishis of the three worlds were contemplating on some important question. The Saptrishis started listing examples. Which is the greatest Veda? Who was the most compassionate king of those times? What was the most admirable asset or the dirtiest sin? A fierce debate was going on, and a voice interrupted.
“Who is the greatest of the trinity” Lord Vishnu, Brahma or Shiva?
Story of Sage Bhrigu Testing the Tridevs
The discord of the debate suddenly turned into whispers that who is the greatest, is it the creator, destroyer or preserver of the universe. Saptrishi other than Brighu in a chorus said that a statue isn’t entitled to rate his sculptor. Gods are away from valuation. Sage Bhrigu asked, ‘are they’? In support of his question, sage Bhrigu said that like every other god, trinity (Tridev) also works for this same universe. Since all the worlds worship them, should we not judge who is the best and who is the weakest?
Every sage questioned himself silently and ambiguously, what should be the criteria for deciding the supreme power? They are the three aspects of the same Para Brahman; comparison between the three was almost out of the thinking of all sages. Sage Bhrigu said, why not? Every human being is given birth by the same divine power and is constantly compared. He further said that when we are trying to grade the Vedas by Brahmadev, why can’t we rate them?
Sage Bhrigu Testing the Trinity
A sage present in the debate said that as the question is raised by sage Bhrigu, he should be the one to look for an answer. Test the three supreme powers and acquaint us with your findings. The sage first visited Brahma lok and intentionally paid no obeisance to Brahma. He neither folded his hands nor greeted. Brahma, the creator got annoyed and warned to curse him. Brighu with a smirk left the Brahma lok and marched towards mount Kailash which is the abode of the destroyer.
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On reach, Bhrigu was denied entry by ganas of Shiva. Bhrigu couldn’t understand the reason behind the strange and almost lame excuses. Their motive was to convince sage Bhrigu to leave. Sage got annoyed eventually over the ganas. Seeing the red face of the saint, Nandi came to him and unfolded the real reason, he wasn’t allowed by ganas to meet Shiva. Nandi said Shiva is making love with Parvati Devi. The furious sage cursed him and left. He said, your Mahadev shall now be revered more as a lingam.
Saint Bhrigu eventually reached Vishnu lok, the abode of lord Vishnu and Maa lakshmi. He learned that Vishnu was in yoga nindra (sleep). The sage tried everything to awaken lord Vishnu, but his every effort went in vain. Bhrigu again got furious and kicked at the chest of god. Sage Bhrigu said how can you sleep when the world is in great agony? Lakshmi Maa frowned and Sheshnag hissed. Lord Vishnu got up from sleep and started pressing the foot of Bhrigu gently.
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Apologies, please accept my apologies if my chest hurt your foot. Saint Bhrigu fumbled and said no Narayan, not at all. Lord Vishnu added that you have opened my eyes and gratitude for acquainting me with the truth that a preserver shouldn’t sleep too much. Lord Vishnu said that now your footprint will remain on my chest in the form of a hollow mark known as Shrivatsa.
Saint Bhrigu was speechless. He whirred, not me, lord Vishnu. All sages are waiting for the result of heard Vishnu. Sage said lord you have opened my eyes, and sage, who had once cursed, now give blessings to Vishnu. The preserver shook his head and said, “I don’t deserve blessings". Lord Vishnu said that the trinity are equal and are the three facets of the universe. We are the three aspects of the whole universe. It is our devotees that worship one of us and make the concerned deity supreme over the other. Unfortunately, it divides us and causes more harm than good to them.
Maa Lakshmi's Curse to Sage Bhrigu
Sage Bhrigu didn’t even try to understand what the preserver was saying. Goddess Lakshmi stared at sage Bhrigu once again in anger and said, “He once sheltered demons and is out to grade the trinity”. Bhrigu huffed as a goddess was in immense rage. She said, “How dare you kick Vishnu”. How dare you compare or rank the Tridevs. You have sinned, and not just you but your whole community will pay the price for it now. Henceforth, I will never visit the houses of Brahmins, and they shall always remain poor.
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