Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c21.10

c21.10

The brahman families claimed descent from mythical rishis, of whom there were eight, Bhr̥gu, Aṅgiras, Marīci (whose son was Kaśyapa), Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. They are called mind-born sons of Brahmā,¹ but fable devised another origin for them with fanciful etymologies of their names.² It appears in various places with variations, but the general explanation is this. Brahmā offered a sacrifice and Bhr̥gu came into existence from it, next Aṅgiras, and then the others, and Kavi is also named sometimes as the same as Bhr̥gu and sometimes as distinct. Śiva, who had the form of Varuṇa, took Bhr̥gu as his son, hence Bhr̥gu and the Bhārgavas were famed as Vāruṇa; Agni took Aṅgiras, hence Aṅgiras was known as Āgneya; and one account says Brahmā took Kavi, who was therefore known as Brāhma, but adds that Śiva as Varuṇa took him, so that Kavi was also Vāruṇa. The account says Bhr̥gu begot seven sons, Aṅgiras eight and Kavi eight; the sons named were not sons but descendants in various degrees.