BRAHMA, Shiva and Vishnu were seated together, engaged in a serious discussion when an argument arose between them. Each of them thought that he was right and better than the other two. After much discussion, they decided that since the argument was inconclusive, it was better to call Bhrigu rishi to mediate between them and suggest who was better and correct.
Sage Bhrigu decided to meet each of them separately. So first of all he went to meet Brahma. When Bhrigu rishi reached Brahma’s place, the latter was rather stand-offish with him and did not pay due respect to Bhrigu rishi as was expected. The latter was very annoyed at this. In a huff, the sage left the place and turned to go to Shiva’s residence on Mount Kailash, where Shiva was engrossed in his tandava dance and did not pay much attention to the sage. Bhrigu rishi was known for his outspokenness and sharply told Shiva that the latter’s behaviour left much to be desired. At this Shiva lost his temper and rushed after Bhrigu rishi to hit him, but the sage managed to escape.
Now Bhrigu rishi, after seeing the behaviour of Brahma and Shiva had not much interest left in visiting Vishnu. However, he had to complete the formalities. He reached Baikunth and found Vishnu reclining on the sheshnag. Sage Bhrigu got very angry on finding Vishnu lying lazily and not bothering to get up to greet him. So the sage kicked Vishnu angrily on his chest. As a result, Vishnu got up in a fluster. He immediately got up and began to press the sage’s foot with which he had been kicked. Vishnu felt that the sage must have hurt his foot on kicking him because Vishnu was known to have a very hard chest.
On seeing such concern for himself, the sage told Vishnu, “You are the greatest and best of all three in the Trinity. My blessings will always be with you.”
When Sage Bhrigu announced his decision to the other two also, they were deeply disappointed and could do nothing except to swallow their pride.
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