Section V

"Saunaka said, 'Child, your father formerly read the whole of the Puranas, O son of Lomaharshana, and the Bharata with Krishna-Dvaipayana. Hast you also made them your study? In those ancient records are chronicled interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise men, all of which we heard being rehearsed by your sire. In the first place, I am desirous of hearing the history of the race of Bhrigu. Recount you that history, we shall attentively listen to you."

"Sauti answered, 'By me has been acquired all that was formerly studied by the high-souled Brahmanas including Vaisampayana and repeated by them; by me has been acquired all that had been studied by my father. O descendant of the Bhrigu race, attend then to so much as relates to the exalted race of Bhrigu, revered by Indra and all the gods, by the tribes of Rishis and Maruts (Winds). O great Muni, I shall first properly recount the story of this family, as told in the Puranas.

"The great and blessed saint Bhrigu, we are informed, was produced by the self-existing Brahma from the fire at the sacrifice of Varuna. And Bhrigu had a son, named Cyavana, whom he dearly loved. And to Cyavana was born a virtuous son called Pramati. And Pramati had a son named Ruru by Ghritachi (the celestial dancer). And to Ruru also by his wife Pramadvara, was born a son, whose name was Sunaka. He was, O Saunaka, your great ancestor exceedingly virtuous in his ways. He was devoted to asceticism, of great reputation, proficient in law, and eminent among those having a knowledge of the Vedas. He was virtuous, truthful, and of well-regulated fare.'

"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I ask you why the illustrious son of Bhrigu was named Cyavana. Do tell me all.'

"Sauti replied, 'Bhrigu had a wife named Puloma whom he dearly loved. She became big with child by Bhrigu. And one day while the virtuous continent Puloma was in that condition, Bhrigu, great among those that are true to their religion, leaving her at home went out to perform his ablutions.

It was then that the Rakshasa called Puloma came to Bhrigu’s abode. And entering the Rishi’s abode, the Rakshasa saw the wife of Bhrigu, irreproachable in everything. And seeing her he became filled with lust and lost his senses. The beautiful Puloma entertained the Rakshasa thus arrived, with roots and fruits of the forest.

And the Rakshasa who burnt with desire upon seeing her, became very much delighted and resolved, O good sage, to carry her away who was so blameless in every respect.

'My design is accomplished,'

said the Rakshasa, and so seizing that beautiful matron he carried her away.

And, indeed, she of agreeable smiles, had been betrothed by her father himself, to him, although the former subsequently bestowed her, according to due rites, on Bhrigu. O you of the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the Rakshasa’s mind and he thought the present moment very opportune for carrying the lady away.

"And the Rakshasa saw the apartment in which the sacrificial fire was kept burning brightly.

The Rakshasa then asked the flaming element

'Tell me, O Agni, whose wife this woman rightfully is. You are the mouth of gods; therefore you are bound to answer my question. This lady of superior complexion had been first accepted by me as wife, but her father subsequently bestowed her on the false Bhrigu. Tell me truly if this fair one can be regarded as the wife of Bhrigu, for having found her alone, I have resolved to take her away by force from the hermitage. My heart burns with rage when I reflect that Bhrigu has got possession of this woman of slender waist, first betrothed to me.'"

"Sauti continued, 'In this manner the Rakshasa asked the flaming god of fire again and again whether the lady was Bhrigu’s wife.

And the god was afraid to return an answer.

'You, O god of fire,'

said he [the Rakshasa],

'residest constantly within every creature, as witness of her or his merits and demerits. O you respected one, then answer my question truly. Has not Bhrigu appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife? You should declare truly whether, therefore, she is my wife by first choice. After your answer as to whether she is the wife of Bhrigu, I will bear her away from this hermitage even in sight of you. Therefore answer you truly.'"

"Sauti continued, 'The Seven flamed god having heard these words of the Rakshasa became exceedingly distressed, being afraid of telling a falsehood and equally afraid of Bhrigu’s curse. And the god at length made answer in words that came out slowly.

'This Puloma was, indeed, first chosen by you, O Rakshasa, but she was not taken by you with holy rites and invocations. But this far-famed lady was bestowed by her father on Bhrigu as a gift from desire of blessing. She was not bestowed on you O Rakshasa, this lady was duly made by the Rishi Bhrigu his wife with Vedic rites in my presence. This is she—I know her. I dare not speak a falsehood.

O you best of the Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in this world.'"