Bhrigu (18)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here Bhrigu, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Mahabharat & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

18. Bhrigu—Bhrigu was considered as the spiritual-son of Brahma. He was born in Vaivasvat Manvantar at the famous Brahm-yagya of Varun. Bhrigu, son of Varun, had rishi Chayvan as his son from Puloma. Chayvan rishi bore Aurav, Aurav had Richik, and Richik had Jamdagni as his son. Jamdagni had illustrious Parshuram as his son from Renuka.

It was Parshuram who killed Kartviryaarjun having thousand arms and was so valiant that he once defeated Ravan.

Bhrigu rishi

There is a story that Nahush kicked Agastay on the head while the latter was carrying Nahush's palanquin. Bhrigu, who was pacing behind Agastay, cursed Nahush and transformed him to a python.[1]

He was a member of Indra's assembly. It was by Bhrigu's brilliance that Indra's glory was heightened.[2] He was also a member of Brahma's assembly.[3]

He cursed Vishnu for having killed his wife Khayati[4] who was daughter of Daksh. Shukracharya was his son known as Kavi and Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, was his daughter.  He was present in the Yagya performed by Daksh and was accordingly punished by Virbhadra by pulling out his beard.

Sagar, with his two wives, Kesini and Sumati, performed tapas at Bhrigu Prasharvan in the Himalayas. Bhrigu gave the boon for progeny to King Sagar of the solar dynasty.[5]

Bhrigu who was supposed to be even prior to Krit Yug, was advised by his father Varun to take holy dip in Jatatirth at Ramsetu Gandhmadan parvat, the place where in Treta Yug Shri Ram and Lakshman had washed their jata, the matted flock of hair.[6]

During the 11^th year of their exile, Pandavas were staying at an ashram where many renowned rishis along with Bhrigu, were lodged at that time, namely: Dhaumya, Atri, Galav, Pail, Jabali, Gautam, Chayvan, Kanav, Jatu, Vitihotra, Sumantu, Yagyadatt, Vatsal, Rashashan, Kahod, Yavkrit, Yagyakreet and Bhardwaj etc. Pandavas were out for hunting when Jayadrath came in that ashram and tried to entice, molest and kidnap Draupadi.[7]

Bhrigu mahrishi was also a prominent member in Yudhishthir's assembly.[8]

Bhrigu met Shri Krishan on the way when he was going to Hastinapur as a messenger of peace on behalf of the Pandavas to Kauravas. They travelled together in Dakshinavart.[9]

He was one of the many eminent and illustrious sages present at the Vaasudev Yagya performed by Shri Krishan and Balram.[10]

Bhrigu entered the scene of battle between the Kurus and Pandavas and tried to persuade Dronacharya to withdraw from the fight.[11]

Saamb, son of Shri Krishan and Jambvati, and other Yadavas mocked some of the eminent rishis who were staying at Pindarak-kshetra near Dwarka by presenting before them Saamb as pregnant woman in female attire and wanted to know whether she will give birth to a male child or female. Rishis knowing pretty well that they are playing prank on them cursed Saamb and Yadavas. Bhrigu was one among those rishis who cursed Saamb that he will give birth to an iron pestle which will become instrumental in finshing of Yadav- vansh.[12]

Bhrigu visited Dwarka for the darshan of Shri Krishan a little prior to when Shri Krishan went to paramdham at the onset of Kali Yug.[13]

He spoke of Shri Krishan thus: “He is the gods of gods and the most primordial and fundamental.”[14]

Therefore, it is evident that Bhrigu was prior to Sat Yug and lived through Treta, Dwapar and until sometime middle of Kali Yug. We find his last reference with king Sahsraneek, when he suddenly left his discourse on the virtues of worshiping Narsinh and erecting his temple, and asked Markandey to continue ahead on the subject. It seems during this discourse he left this abode for the final journey to heaven.[15] Sahsraneek was the fourth descendant of Abhimanyu.[16]

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[1] Mahabharat, Anushasan Parv, Adhyay 100.

[2] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 7, Shlok 29.

[3] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 11, Shlok 19.

[4] Valmiki Ramayan, Uttar Kand, Sarg 51, Shlok 11-19.

Devibhagvat, Skandh 4, Adhyay 10-11.

[5] Valmiki Ramayan, Baal Kand, Sarg 38.

[6] Skand Puran, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Brahmkhand: Setu Mahatamya, Adhyay 160.

[7] Devibhagvat, Skandh 3, Adhyay 16, Shlok 17-20.

[8] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 4, Shlok 16.

[9] Mahabharat, Udyog Parv, Adhyay 83, Shlok 27-28.

[10] Bhagvat Puran, Skandh 10, Adhyay 84, Shlok 3-5.

[11] Mahabharat, Dron Parv, Adhyay 190, Shlok 34-36.

[12] Bhagvat Puran, Skandh 11, Adhyay 1, Shlok 11-24.

[13] Kurm Puran, Adhyay 26, Shlok 5.

[14] Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, by Jayadayal Goyandka, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Second edition 1973, English version.  p. 481.

Mahabharat, Bhishm Parv, Adhyay 68, Shlok 4.

[15] Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 33, Shlok 10.

[16] Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 29.