The Story of Bhrigu and Varuna from the Upanishads

Bhrigu and Varuna

The story of Bhrigu and Varuna, found in the Taittiriya Upanishad, is a beautiful and profound allegory about the journey of self-discovery and the quest for Brahman, the ultimate reality.

The Yearning for Knowledge:

Bhrigu, a wise sage and son of Varuna, the god of the cosmic waters, desires to understand the true nature of Brahman. He approaches his father, seeking guidance on this spiritual quest. Varuna, recognizing Bhrigu's sincere yearning, advises him to embark on a journey of "tapas," intense meditation and introspection.

The Layers of Existence:

Through meditation, Bhrigu experiences different facets of reality. He first perceives food as the essence of all beings, believing it sustains and supports life. He returns to Varuna, declaring food to be Brahman, but his father gently corrects him, explaining that food itself is sustained by something deeper.

Undeterred, Bhrigu continues his meditation and discovers prana, the life force, as the underlying principle of existence. He believes it animates all beings and drives the cycle of life and death. Returning to Varuna, he proclaims prana to be Brahman, only to receive another gentle correction. Varuna explains that prana is subject to change and cessation, hinting at a deeper reality beyond.

Bhrigu perseveres, his meditation revealing deeper layers of reality – mind, intellect, joy, and even the void. With each revelation, he returns to Varuna, each time receiving the same wisdom – that what he has discovered is an aspect, not the totality of Brahman.

Beyond Maya:

Finally, exhausted but undeterred, Bhrigu returns to Varuna. Varuna asks him his reason to visit him. Bhrigu replied that he wanted to know the ultimate truth of existence.

Varuna then instructed Bhrigu to immerse himself in a nearby pond and observe what he saw. Bhrigu did as he was told and saw many fish swimming in the pond. Varuna then asked him to observe the fish more closely, and Bhrigu saw that they were constantly devouring each other.

Varuna then instructed Bhrigu to come out of the pond and observe himself. Bhrigu realized that he was made up of the same five elements as the fish in the pond, and that he too was subject to the cycle of birth and death.

Varuna then explained to Bhrigu that the ultimate truth of existence was that all things were impermanent and subject to change, and that true liberation could only be achieved by realizing this truth and transcending the limitations of the material world.

Thus, Varuna reveals the true essence of Brahman, not as a specific element but as the all-encompassing reality, the source and substratum of all existence. He describes Brahman as "ananda," pure bliss, that transcends the limitations of the mind and senses.

This revelation dawns upon Bhrigu. He realizes that his previous discoveries were only partial glimpses of the ultimate reality, veiled by maya, the illusion of separateness and limitation. Brahman is not found in any single aspect of existence, but rather in the unified wholeness of everything.

The Deep Meaning:

The story of Bhrigu and Varuna offers profound insights into the nature of reality and the human quest for truth. It teaches us:

The path to self-discovery lies within: True knowledge is not acquired through external sources but through inward exploration and meditation.

Reality is multi-layered: Our perceived world is an illusion, a play of shadows on the wall of Brahman.

Brahman is the source of all: Everything we experience, from the physical world to the deepest emotions, arises from and ultimately merges back into Brahman.

The journey is ultimately about self-realization: Bhrigu's quest is not just for knowledge, but for the realization of his own true nature as an inseparable part of Brahman.

The story of Bhrigu and Varuna continues to inspire spiritual seekers across generations. It serves as a reminder that the ultimate journey is not to a destination, but to an ever-deepening understanding of our own divine nature and our place within the vast, interconnected reality of Brahman.