Section VII

"Sauti said, 'the god of fire enraged at the curse of Bhrigu, thus addressed the Rishi,

'What means this rashness, O Brahmana, that you have displayed towards me? What transgression can be imputed to me who was labouring to do justice and speak the truth impartially? Being asked I gave the true answer. A witness who when interrogated about a fact of which he has knowledge, represents otherwise than it is, ruins his ancestors and descendants both to the seventh generation. He, too, who, being fully cognisant of all the particulars of an affair, does not disclose what he knows, when asked, is undoubtedly stained with guilt. I can also curse you, but Brahmanas are held by me in high respect.

Although these are known to you, O Brahmana, I will yet speak of them, so please attend! Having, by ascetic power, multiplied myself, I am present in various forms, in places of the daily homa, at sacrifices extending for years, in places where holy rites are performed (such as marriage, etc.), and at other sacrifices.

With the butter that is poured upon my flame according to the injunctions prescribed in the Vedas, the Devas and the Pitris are appeased. The Devas are the waters; the Pitris are also the waters. The Devas have with the Pitris an equal right to the sacrifices called Darshas and Purnamasas. The Devas therefore are the Pitris and the Pitris, the Devas. They are identical beings, worshipped together and also separately at the changes of the moon. The Devas and the Pitris eat what is poured upon me.

I am therefore called the mouth of the Devas and the Pitris. At the new moon the Pitris, and at the full moon the Devas, are fed through my mouth, eating of the clarified butter that is poured on me. Being, as I am, their mouth, how am I to be an eater of all things (clean and unclean)?'

"Then Agni, alter reflecting for a while, withdrew himself from all places; from places of the daily homa of the Brahmanas, from all long-extending sacrifices, from places of holy rites, and from other ceremonies. Without their Oms and Vashats, and deprived of their Svadhas and Svahas (sacrificial mantras during offerings), the whole body of creatures became much distressed at the loss of their (sacrificial) fire.

The Rishis in great anxiety went to the gods and addressed them thus,

'You immaculate beings! The three regions of the universe are confounded at the cessation of their sacrifices and ceremonies in consequence of the loss of fire! Ordain what is to be done in tins matter, so that there may be no loss of time.'

Then the Rishis and the gods went together to the presence of Brahma. And they represented to him all about the curse on Agni and the consequent interruption of all ceremonies. And they said,

'O you greatly fortunate! Once Agni has been cursed by Bhrigu for some reason. Indeed, being the mouth of the gods and also the first who eats of what is offered in sacrifices, the eater also of the sacrificial butter, how will Agni be reduced to the condition of one who eats of all things promiscuously?'

And the creator of the universe hearing these words of theirs summoned Agni to his presence. And Brahma addressed Agni, the creator of all and eternal as himself, in these gentle words,

'You are the creator of the worlds and you are their destroyer! You preserves! the three worlds and you are the promoter of all sacrifices and ceremonies! Therefore behave thyself so that ceremonies be not interrupted.

And, O you eater of the sacrificial butter, why dost you act so foolishly, being, as you are, the Lord of all?

You alone art always pure in the universe and you are its stay! You shall not, with all your body, be reduced to the state of one who eats of all things promiscuously.

O you of flames, the flame that is in your viler parts shall alone eat of all things alike. The body of thine which eats of flesh (being in the stomach of all carnivorous animals) shall also eat of all things promiscuously. And as every thing touched by the sun’s rays becomes pure, so shall everything be pure that shall be burnt by your flames.

You are, O fire, the supreme energy born of your own power.

Then, O Lord, by that power of thine make the Rishi’s curse come true. Continue to 'receive your own portion and that of the gods, offered at your mouth.'

'Sauti continued, 'Then Agni replied to the Grandfather,

’so be it.'

And he then went away to obey the command of the supreme Lord. The gods and the Rishis also returned in delight to the place whence they had come. And the Rishis began to perform as before their ceremonies and sacrifices. And the gods in heaven and all creatures of the world rejoiced exceedingly.

And Agni too rejoiced in that he was free from the prospect of sin.

"Thus, O possessor of the six attributes, had Agni been cursed in the days of yore by Bhrigu. And such is the ancient history connected with the destruction of the Rakshasa, Pauloma and the birth of Cyavana.'"

Thus ends the seventh section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of the blessed Mahabharata.