Bhrigu In Hindu mythology, a Prajapati, a son of the god Brahma, sent by the priests to test the characters of various gods. Bhrigu could not get to see Shiva because the god was making love to his wife. As a result, Bhrigu, “finding him, therefore to consist of the property of darkness,” sentenced Shiva “to take the form of the Linga (phallus) and pronounced that he should have no offerings presented to him, nor receive worship of the pious and respectable.” Bhrigu’s next visit was to his father, Brahma, whom he saw surrounded by sages and so much inflated by his own importance as not to pay any attention to Bhrigu. Brahma was therefore excluded from worship by the priests. Next Bhrigu went to Vishnu and found the god asleep. Bhrigu stamped on Vishnu’s chest with his left foot and awoke the god. Instead of being offended, Vishnu gently pressed Bhrigu’s foot and said he was honored. Bhrigu, pleased by the god’s humility, proclaimed Vishnu the only being to be worshipped by men or gods.

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Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante