Bhrigu - W J Wilkins

"When Brahma wished to populate the world, he created mind-born sons, like himself; viz., Bhrigu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Angiras, Marichi, Daksha, Atri, and Vasishtha: These are the nine Brahmas or Brahmarishis celebrated in the Puranas."1 Originally seven only were mentioned in the Mahabharata; but the lists found in different parts of that Epic do not agree with each other. These seven are supposed to be visible in the Great Bear, as their wives shine in the Pleiades. These Brahmarishis are also called Prajapatis (lords of offspring), Brahmaputras (sons of Brahma), and Brahmanas. The "Vishnu Purana" teaches that Bhrigu married his niece Khyati, a daughter of Daksha, who bore to him Sri or Lakshmi; but as it was the common belief that she was one of the products of the churning of the ocean, the reciter of the Purana is asked to explain this discrepancy. The substance of his answer was, that "of gods, animals, and man, Hari is all that is called male, Lakshmi is all that is termed female."

In his account of the creation, Manu mentions ten Maharishis as having been created by himself, one of whom is Bhrigu, who in his turn created seven other Manus, from whom all that is has sprung.2 The Mahabharata says: "Six great Rishis are known as the mind-born sons of Brahma;" but Bhrigu is not named amongst them. In another passage it describes him as a son of Varuna, but Brahma is there identified with Varuna. At a sacrifice at which Brahma officiated, a portion of Varuna was thrown into the sacrificial fire, whence there arose three men endowed with bodies. Bhrigu sprang first from bhrik (the blazing of the fire), Angiras from the cinders, and Kavi from a heap of ashes. The god called Mahadeva, Varuna, and Pavana, claimed these three as his own. Agni and Brahma also claimed them3. It was agreed that Bhrigu was Varuna’s son. Agni received Angiras, and Brahma took Kavi. In another part of that poem it is said, "We have heard that the great and venerable Rishi Bhrigu was produced by Brahma from fire at the sacrifice of Varuna4." The "Bhagavata Purana" says that "he sprang from the skin of the Creator;" and the Mahabharata, in another verse, declares that "the venerable Bhrigu, having split Brahma’s heart, issued forth."

Foote Notes

1. "Vishnu Purana," p.49.
2. Muir, O.S.T., i.36.
3. Ibid., i.445.
4. Ibid.

© ‘Hindu Mythology’ by W J Wilkins, published (2001) by Rupa & Co., 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002. Reprinted with permission.

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