Shaunaka said: Your father read the whole of the Puranas in the days of yore. O Son of Lomaharshana, have you also made them your study?

There are in the Puranas interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise men. We have heard them all recited by your father.

I am desirous of hearing the history of the Bhrigu race. Tell us that history. We are all attention to listen to you.

Sauti said : That which was formerly studied by the noble Brahmanas, which was studied and narrated by Vaishampayana and others.

Which was also studied by my father, has been acquired by me. Hear with all attention, O descendant of the Bhrigu race, the history of your race, respected by Indra and all the celestials, all the Rishis and the Marutas. In this great race the great and blessed Rishi Bhrigu was born.

I shall properly relate, O great Rishi, the history of this race, as it is in the Puranas. We are told that great Bhrigu was begotten by selfexisting Brahma from the fire at Varuna's sacrifice. Bhrigu had a beloved son, named Chyavana.

Chyavana had a virtuous son, named Pramati. He had a son, named Ruru by Ghritachi.

Ruru had a son by his wife Pramadvara. O Shaunaka, he was your grandfather; he was very virtuous and greatly learned in the Vedas.

He was devoted to asceticism, had great repute, was learned in the Shruti, truthful, virtuous, well-regulated in his meals and was the most eminent amongst the learned in the Vedas.

Shaunaka said : O Son of Suta, why was the illustrious son of Bhrigu named Chyavana? I ask you, tell me all about it.

Sauti replied : Bhrigu had a very beloved wife, (named Puloma) who became quick with child by him.

When the virtuous and chaste Pauloma was in that condition, one day the greatly famous and virtuous Bhrigu, leaving her at home, went to perform his ablutions. And it was then that a Rakshasa, named Puloma, came to the Rishi's hermitage.

He, having entered into the hermitage, saw the irreproachable wife of Bhrigu. Seeing her he was filled with lust and lost his reason.

Seeing that a guest had come, beautiful Puloma, entertained him with roots and fruits of the wood.

O Rishi, the Rakshasa, having seen her, burnt in lust. He was very much delighted and he determined to carry away the irreproachable lady.

He said, “My desire is fulfilled.” So saying he seized that beautiful lady and carried her away. And in fact that lady of captivating smiles, was formerly betrothed to the Rakshasa by her father.

But he afterwards gave her away to the Rishi Bhrigu in due rites. Since then, O descendant of the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the heart of the Rakshasa.

He thought this very good opportunity to carry the lady away. Then he entered into the room of the holy fire where it was brightly burning.

The Rakshasa asked the burning fire, “O Agni! tell me whose rightful wife this lady is.

You, O Agni, is the mouth of celestials, tell me, I ask you. This beautiful lady was formerly betrothed to me;

was a But her vile father subsequently gave her to Bhrigu. (Tell me truly) if she can be truly called the wife of Bhrigu.

As I have found her alone in the hermitage, I am determined to carry her away by force. My heart burns with rage when I think that Bhrigu has obtained this beautiful woman who was betrothed to me.

Thus did the Rakshasa ask the flaming fire again and again, whether the lady was Bhrigu's wife.

“O Agni, you always dwell in every creature as the witness of their piety and impiety. Answer my question truthfully.

Bhrigu has appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife. Tell me truly therefore, whether she is not truly my wife by first choice.

Hearing from you whether she is Bhrigu's wife or not, I shall carry her away from the hermitage even in your presence. Therefore, answer me truthfully."

Sauti said: Having heard his words, the seven flamed Deity felt himself very much in difficulty. He was afraid to tell an untruth and was equally afraid of Bhrigu's curse. He at last slowly said.

Agni said : "O Rakshasa, it is true that this Puloma was first betrothed to you, but she was not taken by you with (the necessary) holy rites and invocations.

And her father gave this famous Puloma to Bhrigu in gift. He did not give her to you.

O Rakshasa, she was duly taken by Bhrigu as his wife in my presence with all the Vedic rites.

This is she, I cannot tell a falsehood. O best of Rakshasa, falsehood is never respected in this world.