The progeny of Rudra: birth of Bhṛgu and others - Verse 18

He created these nine mental sons viz.: Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras, Marīci, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakṣa, Atri and Vasiṣṭha. In the Purāṇa, these are decisively called the “nine Brahmās” (because they were like) Brahmā (the creator) unto all beings of controlled souls, having the Ātman as their source of origin.