Upanishad Stories - Winning Over Inner Enemies - 9: The Story of Varuna and Bhrigu

It is widely known that when Bhagavan Sri Krishna enumerated His divine manifestations in the Bhagavad Gita, He declared, “Among the sages, I am Bhrigu” (ṛṣiṇāṁ bhṛgur ahaṁ). But what is lesser known is how wondrously the spiritual inquiry of Sage Bhrigu is elaborated in the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Bhrigu, the son of Varuna Deva, had studied all the scriptures under his father’s guidance and had become well-versed in Dharma (righteous conduct), Karma (rituals), and Upasana (devotion/meditation). Since his own father was his Guru, Bhrigu formally approached Varuna one day and said that he had a question. Though they met daily, Varuna sensed that something special was about to unfold and readily agreed. Addressing his father respectfully as Bhagavan—a term signifying love, reverence, and faith—Bhrigu humbly asked, “Adhīhi Bhagavo Brahma iti” – “Revered one, please teach me about Brahman.”

Moved by the depth of the question and recognizing the eligibility and maturity of his son, Varuna chose to momentarily set aside his role as a father and assumed the role of a Guru, ready to initiate him into the sacred knowledge of Brahmavidya.

Without digressing or withholding, Varuna delivered two concise yet profound definitions (Lakṣaṇas) of Brahman:

1. “Yato vā imāni bhūtāni jāyante…” — By this, he provided the Tatastha Lakṣaṇa, an indirect definition: Brahman is that from which all beings arise, in which they are sustained, and into which they dissolve.
2. The second was a Negating Definition (Atat Vyāvṛtti Lakṣaṇa): Brahman is not any of the observable entities like food (Annam), prāṇa (life-breath), eyes (senses), etc., referring to the five Koshas (sheaths of the Self).

Hearing this, Bhrigu asked, “Is Brahman knowable? And if so, how is it to be known?” Varuna responded, “It must be known. And it is to be known through tapas — through deep inquiry and contemplation.” He clarified that here tapas does not mean mere austerity or suppression of the senses, but tapas of the intellect – “tasyā jñānamayaṁ tapaḥ” – the tapas rooted in Atma Vichara (Self-inquiry).

Holding on to this concise teaching, Bhrigu began his inquiry in accordance with the scriptures and Guru’s instruction. He pondered deeply for years: What is the source of this universe made of the five elements? What sustains it? What does it merge back into? After long contemplation, he arrived at a conclusion but still had a lingering doubt. So, he approached his father again and said, “I have come to understand that this entire universe arises from food (Annam), is sustained by food, and ultimately dissolves back into food. So, is Annam Brahman?” Here, Annam refers to matter, much like today’s scientists who claim that matter is the fundamental cause of the universe.

Instead of rejecting Bhrigu’s view, Varuna appreciated his thoughtful analysis and encouraged him further, saying, “Child, you are indeed on the right path, but this is not the complete truth. Go deeper into tapas and continue your inquiry.”

Encouraged, Bhrigu delved deeper, using Guru’s guidance, scriptural reasoning, and personal contemplation. Next, he approached Varuna with another conclusion: “Revered one, it seems that Prāṇa (life-energy) is the cause of the universe. Hence, is Prāṇa Brahman?” Here, Prāṇa may be understood as energy — just as modern scientists posit that energy is the cause and matter its transformed expression.

Varuna, with joy and patience, responded once again, “You are progressing well, but this too is not the complete truth. Continue your tapas.”
Bhrigu kept refining his understanding and successively inquired, “Is Mind Brahman? Is Intellect Brahman?” — to which Varuna’s reply remained consistent: go deeper.

Eventually, Bhrigu plunged into the deepest contemplation and did not return for a long time. Noticing his prolonged absence, Varuna himself went to find him. Observing the radiance and contentment in Bhrigu, he asked, “My child, what have you realised as Brahman?” Bhrigu humbly answered, “Ānandaṁ Brahma” — “Bliss is Brahman.” He added, “Having known this, all my doubts have vanished.” Seeing his son’s clarity and spiritual fulfillment, Varuna too was filled with joy and satisfaction.

This knowledge is glorified in the Upanishad as Bhārgavī Vāruṇī Vidyā, the knowledge that emerged from Bhrigu’s Self-inquiry under the guidance of his father and Guru, Varuna.

Key insights from this story:

• Even a great sage like Bhrigu required the guidance of a Guru for Brahma Jnana. It goes without saying that we too must approach a Shrotriya-Brahmanishtha Guru for Self-realization.
• A true Guru imparts Brahma Vidya only when the disciple’s eligibility and yearning are evident.
• A disciple may question repeatedly, but the Guru’s patience, compassion, and encouragement are essential — as exemplified by Varuna.
• Sometimes, a Guru teaches in a succinct, aphoristic manner. It is then the disciple’s responsibility to engage in deep contemplation and application of that teaching.
• Brahman, the cause of the universe, can only be known through scriptures and Guru’s instruction. There is no alternate route.
• A sincere seeker must persistently inquire until all doubts dissolve, and through dialogue and contemplation, must establish oneself in Self-knowledge and make one’s life meaningful.