The Bhrigu Saṃhitā is an astrological (Jyotish) classic attributed to Maharishi Bhrigu during the Vedic period, Treta yuga. It is said that it was compiled by the Sage out of compassion for humanity so that humanity could cope with the pressures of its existence and move towards a more spiritual nature.[1] The Bhrigu Samhita is said to contain predictions on the current and future lives as well as information on the past life. These predictions will be accurate based on the actions (karma) of the questioner.[2]
It was said that Maharṣi Bhṛgu insulted Lord Viṣṇu while trying to determine who amongst the Trinity of Brahma, Viṣṇu and Śiva is the greatest, but apologised immediately of his mistake and Lord Viṣṇu instead apologised to him. Upon seeing Lord Viṣṇu's humility Maharṣi Bhṛgu declared him to be the greatest.
But Lakṣmī(the goddess symbolising prosperity), wife of Lord Vishnu perceived it as an insult of her husband. She gave a curse to Maharishi Bhṛgu, that he and his community (Brahmins) to which he represents will be parted away from wealth.
After apologising from Goddess too, she suggested him to write Bhṛgu Saṃhitā which contains predictions. In this way, Brahmins can earn their living by telling past,present and future of people.
The Ashram of Maharishi was in present day Ballia (U.P.), India. Major part of Bhṛgu Saṃhitā was destroyed during Muslim Invasions at that time.
Maharishi Bhrigu was the first compiler of predictive astrology. He compiled about 500,000 horoscopes and recorded the life details and events of various persons. This formed a database for further research and study. This study culminated in the birth of the science (Śāstra) of determining the quality of time (Horā) and is the Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra.
These Horoscopes were based upon the planetary positions of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rāhu (North Node of the Moon) and Ketu (South Node of the Moon).
After that, Maharishi Bhṛgu gave his predictions on different types of horoscopes compiled by him with the help of Lord Gaṇeśa in a brief and concise manner. The total permutations/possible horoscope charts that can be drawn with this is about 45 million. Maharishi taught this art of predictions to his son (Śukra) and other pupils.
Currently the original Bhṛgu saṃhitā is not available. During foreign invasions of India by Muslim warriors from the northwest in the 12th and 13th centuries, the brahmin community became dispersed all over India. The invaders captured these prime assets of the brahmins. Some parts of the 'Bhṛgu Saṃhitā' were taken away by them. The most unfortunate and destructive event was the destruction of the Nalanda university library by then Muslim rulers, where several thousands of the horoscopes compiled by Maharṣi Bhṛgu had been stored. Only a small percentage of the original horoscopes of Bhṛgu Saṃhitā remained with the Brahmin community which are now scattered throughout various parts of India.