Host:
Salutations to the venerable secret practitioner, Shree Shree Shyamakhapa. Greetings. We are beginning this program from Shantikunj by paying our respects to Gurudev, the secret practitioner Shree Shree Shyamakhapa. Let us all listen to Gurudev's invaluable words together.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, tell me.
Interviewer:
Many people want to know about Shri Bhrigu, Lord Bhrigu. If you could say something about him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Haha. Look, there isn't much known about his birth. However, from what has been gathered, he was the son of Brahma. Lord Brahma himself was his father. His birth is said to have taken place in Amravati. Do you know where Amravati is? On the way from Kashmir, there is a place called Pahalgam. There is a cave there belonging to Bhrigu. That cave is very important. It remains covered in snow for twelve months. For a brief period, the snow clears, and that is when pilgrims visit. But to visit Amarnath, one must visit Shri Bhrigu's cave. It is in Pahalgam. Some go there, while others don't. From Pahalgam, Amarnath is 131 km away. Anyway, that's a different story; we can discuss that later. Shri Bhrigu's actual birth was in Amravati, in Pahalgam. But later on, he was found in Guwahati, Assam. In Assam, he composed many songs in the Assamese language. He was a vocal artist. He composed numerous songs in Assamese, you know. Shri Bhrigu is very well-known in Assam. Shri Bhrigu married Ruchira, the daughter of Gadhi, the king. Her brother was Sage Vishwamitra. His sister's name was Satyavati. Ruchira was born from Satyavati's womb. Shri Bhrigu married this Ruchira. He was a great vocal artist. Later, he became an expert in palmistry. Being the son of Brahma, he can be grouped with Dadhichi, Marichi, Pulaha, and Pulastya. He is certainly one of the Saptarishis (Seven Sages). From Satyavati's womb, Ruchira was born, and Shri Bhrigu married her. Shri Bhrigu and Ruchira had a son named Jamadagni. Jamadagni holds a very significant place in our scriptures. He was not an ordinary man; he was a very powerful person who always had a connection with God. When we perform Hom-Yagya (sacrificial rituals), Jamadagni's name is always mentioned in our Hindu scriptures. He was a very powerful man. Anyway, that's another matter.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is said that once it rained heavily in Amarnath, and it was filled with water. The cave of Amarnath was completely blocked. He then drained that water and channeled it into the river. As a result, Lord Shiva was very pleased and appeared before him there. Shri Bhrigu saw him there. Later, he composed many songs in Assam. Besides that, he was an excellent palmist. This astrology you talk about is his creation. Apart from this, not much more is known about Shri Bhrigu. Later, Shri Bhrigu moved near the Narmada River, near the Reva. Reva means Narmada. When we perform Japa (meditative chanting), we chant 'Reva' because there is no Japa in the name of Narmada. Narmada is called Reva. Later, he probably moved to Narmada. Since then, all his work was done there. There is a Bhrigu Ashram at Narmada. It is the place where he lived. That is where Shri Bhrigu spent the final years of his life. There is a Bhrigu Kund (pond) where he used to bathe. Even today, if you go to Narmada, you must visit the Bhrigu Ashram. There is a pond where he bathed, Bhrigu Kund, which is still cordoned off. People are not allowed to touch that water. A little further up is the Bhrigu Kamandal (water pot), where Bhrigu performed penance. When he was performing penance, he had a Kamandal in his hand. He went to the very top to perform penance. When he sat down for penance, there was no water. Shri Bhrigu then invoked Mother Narmada or Reva and said, 'Mother, I am sitting for penance, where will I get water?' Then Mother Reva said, 'Do not worry, you perform your Sadhana (spiritual practice), and I will always be in your Kamandal.' She blessed him thus. Shri Bhrigu was satisfied and began his penance. But at the end of his penance, a strange thing happened. He left the Kamandal there and forgot about it. When he came down, he didn't remember the Kamandal. That Kamandal is still there. If you go to Bhrigu Kamandal, you will see a huge stone, which has now become fossilized. That was Bhrigu's Kamandal, in which he kept water. Water is necessary, as you can imagine. If you ever go to Bhrigu Kamandal, you should sit there and meditate on Bhrigu for a while. There is a hole in that huge stone where water is shimmering. Some find the water, and some don't. Do you know why? If you don't meditate on Shri Bhrigu, you will not find the water. When I was at Narmada, a great man there told me, 'Son, do not put your hand in the Bhrigu Kamandal first; you won't find water. First, meditate on Bhrigu. Sit next to the Kamandal, close your eyes, and remember him for an hour; you will find water.' And that is exactly what happened. There were two or three others with me who didn't find water despite putting their hands in because they were over-enthusiastic and tried it beforehand. But when I put my hand in much later, I saw the water shimmering. I took some water and gave it to them. They drank it and put it on their heads. How water appears in a stone at such a height is something I don't think science can explain. Science has no place here. The water is still there in the stone at such a height, about 2,500 to 3,000 feet up, where Bhrigu performed penance. How the water is still there is beyond me, believe me. Science has no explanation, nor does it seek one. Anyway, that place is the Bhrigu Kamandal and Bhrigu Kund at Narmada. Many people go to Bhrigu Kund to perform Shraddha (rituals for the deceased). I have seen many Shradhha rituals being performed at the pond surrounded by stones. I have also touched the water in Bhrigu Kund. Since Bhrigu was the son of Brahma, he possessed immense power.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
One day, he went to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. He asked Narada, 'Narada, can you take me to them?' Narada refused. Bhrigu kicked Narada in the chest twice. Even today, there are two footprints on Narada's chest; those are Shri Bhrigu's footprints. Then he went to the gods, first to Brahma. Brahma was his father, so he didn't say anything. Then he went to Shiva, and everyone neglected him. Finally, when he went to Narayana (Vishnu), Narayana was sitting there. Even after seeing Bhrigu, he ignored him. He said, 'What are you doing here now?' Bhrigu replied, 'I want to say something to you. I had asked Narada, but he didn't bring me to you, so I came on my own.' Vishnu stood up and said a few words to Bhrigu in a dismissive manner. Immediately, what did Bhrigu do? He kicked Vishnu in the chest with both feet. You will find those two footprints on Narayana's chest. Where will you find them? If you go to the South, there is Tirupati Lord, who is Narayana himself. You will see two footprints on his chest. Those are none other than Bhrigu's footprints. When he kicked Narayana in the chest, Narayana was surprised that a person could have so much devotion. He then massaged Bhrigu's feet and said, 'Lord, I have made a mistake, please forgive me. I hope your feet aren't hurt?' Bhrigu replied, 'No, why would my feet be hurt?' Narayana then said, 'Lord, I will keep the two footprints from your kick on my chest. I will keep them as a mark of respect for you because I didn't know you were such a great man.' Anyway, you can still see those two footprints on Narada's chest and Narayana's (Tirupati Lord's) chest. Those are Shri Bhrigu's footprints. Not much else is known about Shri Bhrigu. Since he was created by the gods, not much more can be said about him. From what we have read, this is what surprised me. There is Bhrigu Kshetra in Amravati, where he was born. It is inside a cave, covered in snow most of the year. People visit it when the snow clears for a month or two. That's where Bhrigu was born, in Amravati, near Pahalgam. He had also seen Lord Shiva at Amarnath. Once Amarnath was flooded due to excessive rain, and he cleared that water with his yogic powers and channeled it into the Ganges. Lord Shiva was very pleased and blessed him. This is what is said. That is why one should not visit Amarnath without visiting Bhrigu. This is what our scriptures say. Look, there are 28 Puranas. Different Puranas say different things. Which Purana will you follow? Many people tell me that I didn't say this or that correctly. You're right, but our YouTube episodes are only 15 minutes long. We have to say everything within that time. Many things get left out. I really like that people like you are writing about me; you must have studied something, otherwise, you wouldn't be able to write. I speak only after studying; I don't just say things randomly. Now, the fact is that those who are writing, I feel very good that they have studied. Why else would they write about me? Some things are left out because I have to speak within a limited time; otherwise, YouTube won't accept it. YouTube now has a new rule of 15 minutes. It's good if we can finish within that; otherwise, it won't be accepted. Episodes for people like us are scheduled this way. So, one thing I'm saying is that this is just an episode; I can't know everything. Those who are saying or writing that I said this wrong or that I should have said more, I don't have that much time. YouTube hasn't given me that time. That's why I feel very happy when people give such comments, which I read myself. It makes me happy that people are still reading the Puranas. That is my greatest joy. Even if someone says something against me, I don't mind. I rather bless them that at least people are learning something. I might make mistakes; it's not that I know everything. I'm not a know-it-all. They are writing, and people are seeing and reading those comments; I like that. I bless them. If they write like this, I feel very good. I also read them and correct my mistakes. This is what I want to say. Not much more is known about Shri Bhrigu. He was the son of Brahma, Brahma's creation. He married Ruchira, Satyavati's daughter, and Vishwamitra's sister. They had a son named Jamadagni. The Vedas accept this, and whenever we perform Hom-Yagya, we must invoke Jamadagni and offer him oblations. This is all that is known. Yes, tell me.
Interviewer:
Friends, please subscribe to the Guptasadhak Shyamakhapa YouTube channel, like it, and write your comments in the comment box. Get more updates on Gurudev's videos. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Haha, yes.
Host:
You have been listening to the words of Gurudev, the secret practitioner Shree Shree Shyamakhapa. Let us know how you liked it. To regularly listen to Gurudev's invaluable words, subscribe to the Shyamakhapa channel, like it, share it, and comment. To contact Gurudev, please provide your name, location, and phone number via WhatsApp between 10 AM and 6 PM every day. Gurudev will call you as soon as possible. The WhatsApp number is 8080539595. Paying our respects to Gurudev and conveying his blessed best wishes and welfare, we conclude today's program. Stay well, everyone. Namaskar.