Number of words: 85

According to lore, the sage Bhrigu was concerned that notwithstanding their knowledge of Vedas and the Puranas, economic prosperity eluded Brahmins. He therefore embarked on a long penance to propitiate the goddess of wealth and good fortune, Lakshmi. The goddess was pleased by his devotions. She appeared before him in a dream and advised him to start the scinece of vedic astrology, which would give to Brahmins a respectable source of income. What Bhrigu began was nurtured and expanded upon by succeeding generations of disciples.