Page 26 - Shri Venkateswara Book

of ignorance. His eyes became red. In a fit of rage he
picked up his trident and charged toward Bhrigu to
kill him. Parvati fell down at Siva’s feet and begged
him with gentle words appealing to his quality of
goodness to spare the life of his brother. Due to his
wife’s entreaties, Siva did not continue to pursue
Bhrigu, who immediately left for the abode of
Lord Vishnu.

The Lord lives on an island called Svetadvipa which is
in the ocean of milk somewhere inside the material
universe. He lies on a bed of flowers on the coils of
Ananta Sesa, the transcendental snake who serves
the Lord, in the company of His wife Lakshmi devi.
She massages His lotus feet while He rests.

As soon as Bhrigu came near Lord Vishnu, he purposely
committed the most egregious sin by jumping on His
chest so hard that he left the impression of his two
feet permanently there. It is known as Sri Vatsa. Lord
Vishnu did not become angry because He considered
Bhrigu a cherished Brahman priest.
In the Vedic tradition, Brahman priests are excused
even if they commit an offense. Lord Vishnu set
the example of such merciful treatment toward
Brahmans. The Lord addressed Bhrigu, “My chest
has now become sanctified because of the touch of

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