We are aware of the rigorous sadhana and tapasya that the sages undertake to gain knowledge and be blessed by the gods. However, did you know that they used to be cursed as well due to their extreme wisdom and behavior. Let’s get to know about Maharishi Bhrigu, who dared to visit the Gods and test their humbleness.
Rishi Bhrigu Lineage and his glory
Being one of the greatest mind-beings, Maharishi Bhrigu, was born from the skin of Brahma. Through penance and focused meditation, he became well-versed in the Vedas. He contributed to the expansion of the Vedas by writing under the Bhrigu Samhita, which tells us about astrological proceedings and movements.
Maharishi Bhrigu tests the Gods
Once, Rishi Bhrigu was invited to participate in a yagna conducted by many renowned rishis. During this yagna, the assembled rishis began debating who among the Trinity of Gods – Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva – was the most powerful as well as the most humble.
To resolve this debate, the rishis wondered how they could determine the answer and discussed who should undertake this task.
Through discussion, everyone agreed that it would be best to send Rishi Bhrigu to find out. So off went Bhrigu to Devlok.
Maharishi Bhrigu tests Lord Brahma
He first went to Lord Brahma. He purposefully behaved rudely by not greeting Lord Brahma, nor asking his permission, and barged into his celestial abode. This angered Brahma, and he was about to curse Bhrigu. However, Brahma’s wife, Mata Sarawati, saved the situation and asked Brahma to let Bhrigu go. Rishi Bhrigu, being a learned and respected rishi, was enraged by Brahma’s behavior and cursed him that in Kaliyug era, no one would worship Lord Brahma.
Maharishi Brighu tests Lord Shiva
Next, he went to Lord Shiva’s abode, Mount Kailash. There, he was stopped by Nandi, the celestial cow, and was told he could not approach Shiva right now as he and his wife, Mata Parvati, were sharing a private moment.
Brighu was upset here too and cursed that Lord Shiva would be worshiped in the form of a linga in Kaliyug.
Maharishi Brighu tests Lord Vishnu
In the end, he went to Lord Vishnu’s abode. There, he saw him sleeping on his sheeshnag. To wake him up, Bhrigu stomped on his chest. The hit was so forceful that Lord Vishnu awoke with a jolt. On seeing Bhrigu, he said, “Oh, learned Bhrigu! It is you. I hope your leg did not get hurt, as I have a strong chest, but your leg must not be as strong”.
Hearing this, Bhrigu was pleased and declared Lord Vishnu to be the most superior and humble of the Trinity of Gods.
Bhrigu and the curse by Mata Laxmi
But things did not end here. Mata Laxmi, Lord Vishnu’s wife, could not accept anyone insulting her husband with such cruelty. She cursed that from then on, all the brahmins and rishis would live a life without wealth and would have to ask for it from door to door to survive.
Bhrigu confessed the reason behind his behaviour, and hearing it, Mata Laxmi told that brahmins and sages could be liberated from the curse if they worshipped Lord Vishnu.
Maharishi Bhrigu and his idea of …
Rishi Bhrigu went back and shared his experience with the other rishis. But hearing of Mata Laxmi’s curse enraged them, and they blamed Bhrigu for it.
He realized his mistake and asked for pardon from the Lords. He began rigorous penance for his deeds. He focused on learning about the planets and their formations, and their future predictions based on their movements. He taught this to rishis and brahmins, so that they could earn their living.
In his book, Bhrigu Samithi, written eons ago, he mentions, “to learn more, and see the patterns and positions of the planets, an equipment made by burning soil and paper class, then cleansing it, and finally fitting it in a bamboo hose would aid in seeing far away things”. This formed the base of today’s basic equipment for Astro research, the telescope.
