This Puranic incident has a lot of variants. But I have written this one, according to my liking and intellect. This is one of the stories mentioned in Vishnu Purana and other similar Puranas dedicated to Lord Vishnu specifically.

With the shifting from Vedic form of worship to Puranic/Dharmic
form of worship where gods like Vishnu & Shiva and goddess Adi-Shakti were celebrated and grew Popular among the devotees in the subcontinent.



The Vaishnav preachers propagated
these stories related to Lord Vishnu. Glorifying the marvelous personification of him as supreme godhead, who is immensely compassionate and ever forgiving [करुणानिधन & कृपासिन्धु respectively in samskrist]. This Incident of sage Bhrigu kicking Lord Vishnu in the chest has got popular over the time

Maharishi Bhrigu was one of the 7 great sages ( सप्तऋषि /saptarishi) known In Hindu mythology and one of the many Prajapatis created by Lord Brahma.

When river Ganga, used to flow in outer Space i.e., Bhuver Loka and had not descended on Earth I.e., Bhuloka by that time the civilization at the banks of river Saraswati was flourishing at its peak. Many great intellectuals and sages used to gather and conduct Yagnas. But none of it would bear any fruit because it would end up in a debate about whom shall they offer the Pradhant(master) of that Yagnya.

There would be 3 groups arguing...