Bhṛgu
Purāṇic · Mind-born son of Brahmā · Bhṛgu Saṃhitā
Maharṣi Bhṛgu is a mind-born son of Brahmā, included among the Saptarṣi in some lists and founder of the Bhārgava line, which includes Jamadagni, Paraśurāma and Śukrācārya. In the Gītā Kṛṣṇa says, “Among the great sages I am Bhṛgu.”
Astrologers revere him as an ancient master of Jyotiṣa. The Bhṛgu Saṃhitā tradition holds that he recorded horoscopes for countless people in advance; families in Hoshiarpur and other places keep old manuscripts said to belong to this tradition and consult them for visitors. These collections vary widely and their age is uncertain, but the name of Bhṛgu remains central to Indian astrology.
The Purāṇas tell that the sages asked Bhṛgu to find out which of the three great gods was the greatest. Brahmā and Śiva took offence at his test, but when Bhṛgu kicked the sleeping Viṣṇu on the chest, Viṣṇu rose and gently asked whether the sage’s foot was hurt. Bhṛgu declared Viṣṇu the most patient — and tradition links Lakṣmī’s anger at this to the story of Tirupati.
Bhārgava lineage · Bhṛgu Saṃhitā tradition · Gītā 10.25