The Seven Sages

In the beginning there was darkness, then came light. There were three worlds, one the celestial abode of the ‘devas' or gods, the nether regions below where ‘asuras' or demons lived and the earth floating in the ocean in between.

Brahma (The Creator) through his musings about the inhabitants of the three worlds and realized that they needed to also understand the mysteries of the creation. Out of His contemplation evolved 7 ‘rishis' or sages. Brahma revealed the secrets of the Vedas to them. The seven sages were holy and traveled through the three worlds chanting Vedas. They chanted the Vedic mantras while performing the rituals of Yajnas and contemplated upon them while maintaining Tapas or meditation. They invoked the gods and goddesses to control the workings of the cosmos.

Six of the mind born sages of Brahma used the information given to them to invoke the goddess of learning and knowledge, Saraswati. The grace of Saraswati was important as through it evolved wisdom and ultimately salvation. But soon the sages realized that wisdom and knowledge could not transform itself to wealth and provide food. Hunger was capable of killing the wisest of the wise men.

Varuna, God of the Sea revealed to the seventh sage, Bhrigu that all things culminate into sustenance and that sustenance was food. The world comprised of those who eat and those who are eaten, and that there is no other type. Bhrigu was most amazed as he realized the simple and quite terrible logic of this conclusion. He contemplated upon whatever knowledge that was imparted to him by Brahma and invoked goddess Lakshmi by whose grace mankind acquired worldly riches and comforts of life.

There were other ascetics other than the seven mind born sons of Brahma. They were also learned and knew most of the mysteries of cosmos. They were poor and hungry. They went to Bhrigu one day and related to him their tale of woe. They said, ‘we also know many secrets but the world does not recognize us. There are no patrons to sustain us with wealth or rewards. As a result our worldly needs which are most essential for living are not met'.

The seventh of the mind sons of Brahma took pity on them and taught them the art of predicting future and many other occult sciences. Rishi Bhrigu then advised the sages to go to the world and help mankind with this information as to how to attain and preserve wealth. He said that in return of this great service you will be given the reward that is due to you. This way ‘The Bhrigu Samhita' was composed and the lives of sages were saved.

Down the ages the various occult sciences were handed down by generations and till date people practice these to help mankind for fulfillment of desires.

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