Greatness of Bhrigukaccha

Bhrigukaccha: Greatness of Bhrigukaccha:

(Skanda Purana - Reva Khanda - 181 to 182)

• Meditation: I meditate on Bhrigukaccha which had the hermitage of sage Bhrigu.

(Conversation between sage Markandeya and Yudhishthira)

• Penance of sage Bhrigu in Srivrita: Once sage Bhrigu, the sixth mental son of Lord Brahma performed penance in Srivrita for a thousand divine years. The sage abstained from food and appeared emaciated like a dry log of wood and steady like a rock. Lord Shiva was passing over there accompanied by Devi Uma. The goddess asked Lord Shiva about sage Bhrigu who appeared like an anthill. Lord Shiva told Devi about the austere penance of sage Bhrigu meditating on him for a thousand divine years. The Devi asked in anger why he was not granting boon to the sage. The Lord laughed and said that penance perishes through anger, and it is this anger due to which the sage is not attaining siddhi.

• Lord Shiva testing sage Bhrigu: To substantiate his statement before Devi Uma, Lord Shiva called his Vrisha (Bull) and told him to infuriate sage Bhrigu. The bull went to the hermitage of sage Bhrigu near the bank of river Narmada and taking him by his horns, hurled him in the waters of Narmada. Sage Bhrigu took a big stick and ran behind the bull to hit him. The bull made the sage fall down. Sage Bhrigu took the stick rushed at the bull in order to kill him. The Vrisha ran to various dwipas (Jambudwipas etc.), then to various Lokas (like Patala Loka, Bhu, Bhuvah, Swah Lokas etc.), but sage Bhrigu followed him. Then the Vrisha sought the refuge of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and other devas. Then, being rejected, he finally sought refuge in Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told Devi Parvati to see the mental state of the sage. Devi Parvati told him to grant a boon so that the sage does not turn his anger on them.

• Lord Shiva granting boon to sage Bhrigu: Lord Shiva appeared before the sage with Uma as half his body. The Lord said to the sage that his anger has not subsided yet. Hence that place will be a place of anger. Lord Bhrigu recited a prayer known as Karuna-Abhyudaya praying to sever his worldly attachments and granting Lakshmi (fortune). Lord Shiva became pleased and told the sage to ask for a boon. The sage asked that, that kshetra becomes a Siddhakshetra and he wishes to create a great shrine by His blessings. Lord Shiva said that goddess Sri had already done that before. Therefore, if the goddess gives her assent, he can do that.

• Sage Bhrigu meeting goddess Sri: Sage Bhrigu took his holy bath and met goddess Sri. He asked permission of her to make his abode in that holy spot. The goddess gave her permission and said that the spot can bear her name or his name. The sage said that the spot stands on the back of Kacchapa (Kurma), so his permission is required.

• Sage Bhrigu and Sri meeting Kacchapa: Sage Bhrigu and Sri then met Kacchapa (Kurma) and asked permission and directions of him. Lord Kurma said that there will be a city name after him which will remain established for a long time.

• Sage Bhrigu creating Bhrigukaccha: On the year Nandana, on the fifth lunar day of Magha, in conjunction of Uttara, when the lunar sphere was in Kumbha, sage Bhrigu established Bhrigukaccha. It faced the west and extended from north to east to one Krosha. It had hundreds of palaces and crores of Tirthas. The sage sought the assistance of Vishwakarma to complete it. It was a holy spot destructive of sins.

• Curse of Devi Lakshmi: After a long time, once Devi Lakshmi, went to Deva Loka after handing the key of her seat to sage Bhrigu. When she came back and asked for the key, the sage falsely denied. He said that it was his place. There arose a great dispute between the sage and Sri. Sage Bhrigu gathered eighteen thousand brahmanas to seek authorization. The brahmanas being afraid of the curse of the sage, said that the place belongs to him who has the key. Due to this falsity, goddess Sri cursed the brahmanas that their learning will extend only to three generations. Weath will not go over to the third generation. A brahmana will not be able to master a second Veda (their knowledge will be limited to one Veda only). Arrogance will be predominant among the brahmanas. Then goddess Lakshmi left for Deva Loka. The brahmanas and ascetics also left the place.

• Sage Bhrigu performing penance again: Seeing that Sri and the brahmanas leaving the place, sage Bhrigu again performed penance to propitiate Lord Shankara.

• Lord Shiva granting boons on the kshetra: Lord Shankara appeared and said that all this happened because this is a place of anger. Lord Shankara granted the boon that the brahmanas in this holy place will be devoid of great fear. They will become masters of scriptures by their effort. Without effort, even Shakra is not capable of granting anything. The holy spot will be a Kotitirtha (having crores of Tirthas) destructive of sins. It will be frequented by devas. Even worms and insects dying in Bhrigukshetra will attain Shiva Loka. A person who takes bath in Vrishakhata (a well) and adores Lord Maheshwara will get the benefit of Sarvamedha Yagna. If a person takes bath in Bhrigu Tirtha and offers libations to Pitris and Devas, they will become propitiated. Goddess Ambika will abide there as Saubhagyasundari.

• Sage Bhrigu leaving his Image: When Lord Shiva disappeared, sage Bhrigu left his Image there and went to Brahma Loka.

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