Home > Society > Religion in India > Bhrigu
Bhrigu
Bhrigu, the father of Hindu astrology was an ancient wise sage whose descendants are known as ‘Bhrigus’ or ‘Bhargavas’. He was the author of astrological (Jyotish) classic ‘Bhrigu Samhita’.

Share this Article:

Bhrigu, Indian YogisMaharishi Bhrigu was one of the seven great sages, the "Saptarshis" and also one of the Prajapatis created by Lord Brahma. Bhrigu established the ritual of offering the juice of the `Soma` plant to the old deities and took a great responsibility in composing Atharva-Veda. He was the author of astrological (Jyotish) classic "Bhrigu Samhita". He was married to Khyati, the daughter of King Daksha. The descendants of sage Bhrigu are called "Bhrigus" and thought to be above ground storm Gods who maintain the connection between earth and heaven.

Myths of Bhrigu
Bhrigu, Indian YogisAccording to myths, Lord Brahma wished a son to assist him in the process of creation and Bhrigu`s birth took place. According to some legends Laxmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu is also sage Bhrigu`s daughter. Bhrigu`s another son Shukra is more famous than his father. In some traditions, sage Chyavana is also mentioned as Bhrigu`s son. There is a popular legend related to Bhrigu. Once he participated in a debate concerning who among the trinity god Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara was the greatest. Bhrigu first visited Brahma and Shiva and informed them about his quest. Both the Gods tried to impress him with their power. Then the sage visited Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was asleep then. Bhrigu called him many times but the Lord did not wake up. The sage was so angry that he kicked the God on his chest. This made Vishnu to wake up. Immediately Lord Vishnu started pressing Bhrigu`s feet asking him if he had hurt his feet by kicking his hard chest. In this way Vishnu destroyed the third eye that was present on Bhrigu`s foot. When Bhrigu saw the humility of the God, he got the answer he was in quest for.

After the event of testing of trinity, Bhrigu decided to write his famous book of astrology, the "Bhrigu Samhita", to help Brahmins earn their living. Bhrigu collected the birth charts, wrote full-life forecasts and collected them together as "Bhrigu Samhita". This treatise is believed to contain over five million horoscopes, in which Bhrigu wrote down the fate of all the human beings in the universe. As popular tradition says, only about a hundredth of these horoscopes have survived to the modern era.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.