SECTION
V
(Pauloma
Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'Child, thy father formerly read the
whole of the Puranas, O son of Lomaharshana, and the Bharata with
Krishna-Dwaipayana. Hast thou also made them thy 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 thy sire.
In the first place, I am desirous of hearing the history of the race of Bhrigu.
Recount thou that history, we shall attentively listen to thee."
"Sauti answered, 'By me hath been acquired all that
was formerly studied by the high-souled Brahmanas including Vaisampayana and
repeated by them; by me hath been acquired all that had been studied by my
father. O descendant of the Bhrigu race, attend then to so much as relateth 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 Chyavana, whom he dearly
loved. And to Chyavana 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, thy
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 thee why the
illustrious son of Bhrigu was named Chyavana. 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 thou
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. Thou art the
mouth of gods; therefore thou art 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 burneth with
rage when I reflect that Bhrigu hath 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. 'Thou, O god of fire,' said he,
residest constantly within every creature, as witness of her or his merits and
demerits. O thou respected one, then answer my question truly. Has not Bhrigu
appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife? Thou shouldst declare truly
whether, therefore, she is my wife by first choice. After thy answer as to
whether she is the wife of Bhrigu, I will bear her away from this hermitage
even in sight of thee. Therefore answer thou 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 thee, O Rakshasa, but she was not taken by thee 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 thee 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 thou best of
the Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in this world.'"
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