"Saunaka said, 'Child, O son of Lomaharshana (Soota), your father (Lomaharshana) formerly read the whole of the Puranas and the (Maha)Bharata with Krishna-Dwaipayana (Maharishi Vyasa). Have you also made them your study? In those ancient records are documented interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise men, all of which we heard being prepared by your father. In the first place, I am desirous of hearing the history of Bhrigu kula. You tell that history (of Maharishi Bhrigu's lineage), we shall attentively listen to you."
"Soota answered, 'By me has been acquired all that was formerly studied by the high-souled Brahmanas including (Rishi) Vaishampayana and repeated by them; by me has been acquired all that had been studied by my father. O descendant of Bhrigu kula (Rishi Saunaka), then pay attention to so much as I narrate about the noble Bhrigu kula, which is respected by (Lord) Indra and all Devas, by the tribes of Rishis and Maruts (Winds). O great Muni (Saunaka), I shall first properly tell you the story of this (Bhrigu) family, as told in the Puranas.
"The great and blessed saint Bhrigu, we are informed, was produced by the self-existing (Swayambu in Sanskrit) Brahma from the Agni at the yajna of Varuna. Bhrigu had a son, named Chyavana, whom he dearly loved. To Chyavana was born a virtuous son (Dharma putra in Sanskrit) called Pramati. Pramati had a son named Ruru by Ghritachi (the celestial dancer also known as Apsara in Sanskrit). To Ruru also by his wife Pramadvara, was born a son, whose name was Sunaka. O Saunaka, he (Sunaka) was your great ancestor exceedingly Dharmic in his ways. He was devoted to Tapas, of great fame, skilled in law, and distinguished among those having a knowledge of Vedas. He (Sunaka) was Dharmic, truthful, and of well-regulated fare.'
"Saunaka said, 'O son of Soota, I ask you why the illustrious son of Bhrigu was named Chyavana. Do tell me all.'
"Soota replied, 'Bhrigu had a wife named Puloma whom he dearly loved. She became big with child by Bhrigu. One day while the pregnant Puloma was in that condition, Bhrigu, who is great among those that are true to their Dharma, leaving her (Puloma) at home went out to perform his ablutions. It was then that the Rakshasa called Puloma (same as the name as Bhrigu's wife) came to Bhrigu's ashrama. Entering the Rishi's (Bhrigu's) ashrama, the Rakshasa (Puloma) saw the wife of Bhrigu (Puloma), faultless in everything. Seeing her he became filled with kaamaa and lost his senses. The beautiful Puloma entertained the Rakshasa (Puloma) thus arrived, with roots and fruits of the forest. O good sage (Saunaka), the Rakshasa who burnt with desire upon seeing her, became very much delighted and resolved to carry her away who was so blameless in every respect.
'My design is accomplished,' said the Rakshasa (Puloma), and so grabbing that beautiful woman (Puloma) he carried her away. Indeed, she of agreeable smiles (Bhrigu's wife Puloma), had been engaged by her father himself, to him (Rakshasa Puloma), although the former (Puloma's father) subsequently gifted her (Puloma), according to due rites, on Bhrigu. O you of the Bhrigu race (Saunaka), this wound continued to pain deep in the Rakshasa's mind and he thought the present moment very favourable for carrying the lady (Puloma) away.
"The Rakshasa saw the apartment in which the yajnaagni was kept burning brightly. The Rakshasa (Puloma) then asked the flaming element 'O Agni, tell me whose wife this woman (Puloma) rightfully is. You are the mouth of Devas; 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 gave her on the false Bhrigu. Tell me truly if this fair (Puloma) 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 ashrama. My heart burns with anger when I think that Bhrigu has got possession of this woman of slender waist, first engaged to me.'"
"Soota continued, 'In this manner, the Rakshasa (Puloma) asked the flaming Agni again and again whether the lady was Bhrigu's wife. The god (Agni) was afraid to return an answer. He (Rakshasa Puloma) said 'O Agni, you reside 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 hijacked her (Puloma) 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 take her away from this ashrama in sight of you. Therefore, you answer truly.'"
"Soota continued, 'The Seven flamed Deva (Agni) having heard these words of the Rakshasa (Puloma) became exceedingly upset, being afraid of telling a falsehood and equally afraid of Bhrigu's curse. The Deva (Agni) at length made answer in words that came out slowly. 'This Puloma was, indeed, first chosen by you, O Rakshasa (Puloma), but she was not taken by you with holy rites and invocations. But this far-famed lady was given by her father on Bhrigu as a gift from desire of blessing. She was not given 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 Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in this world.'"
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