Lakshmi Narayanan | Brighu Rishi

Note:

• The Vintage Narrates about Maha Vishnu and Brighu Rishi.
• Once, sages from different places had gathered on the banks of the Saraswati river. Unable to decide who was the greatest among the three—Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva—the sages chose Bhrigu as their representative to test all the three deities and to decide as to who is the greatest.
• He first went to Lord Brahma’s abode. There he neither bowed in reverence nor greeted Lord Brahma. The Lord felt insulted but did not lose his temper.
• After that Bhrigu went to Lord Shiva’s place. Seeing Bhrigu approaching, Lord Shiva wanted to embrace him. But Bhrigu refused to accept Shiva’s respect. At this Lord Shiva lost his temper and ran after him with his trident to kill him. Meanwhile Parvati came into the picture and Bhrigu was saved.
• Then, Bhrigu went to see Lord Vishnu. There he found Lord Vishnu in deep slumber. Seeing him, the preserver and sustainer of the world sleeping like an irresponsible person, Maharshi Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu on his chest. Lord Vishnu woke up as a result of the blow, bowed in reverence and said: “O Lord, be seated, I was not aware of your arrival, hence I could not welcome you. Forgive me! Your feet must be in pain as my chest is hard as ‘Vajra’ (mace).” Saying this, Lord Vishnu started pressing Bhrigu’s legs and further said: “O Maharshi your foot-print would remain on my chest forever as a sign of respect to you.” This foot-print of Bhrigu on Lord Vishnu’s chest is known as srivatsa.
• After his return, Bhrigu narrated the whole story to the assembly of the sages. Everyone concluded that it was Lord Vishnu who was the noblest and greatest among the trinity