# The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section V

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 interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise men, all which we heard 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 are attentive to 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 Marutas (Winds). O great Muni, I will first then properly recount the story of this family, belonging to the Puranas.
"The great and blessed saint Bhrigu, we are informed, was begot by the self-existing Brahmā from the fire at the sacrifice ​of Varuna. And Bhrigu had a son whom he dearly loved named Chyavana. And to Chyavana was born a virtuous son called Pramati. And Pramati had a son named Ruru by Ghritachi (the celestial danceuse). And to Ruru also by his wife Pramadvarā, 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, learned in the 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 whom he dearly loved, named Pulomā. She became quick with child by Bhrigu. And one day while the virtuous and continent Pulomā 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 a 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 reason. The beautiful Pulomā entertained the Rakshasa thus arrived, with roots and fruits of the forest. And the Rakshasa burning with desire upon having seen her, became very much delighted and resolved, O good sage, to bear 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 to the Rakshasa himself, 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 a very good opportunity for carrying the lady away.
"And the Rakshasa saw in the apartment in which the sacrificial fire was kept that element burning brightly. And the Rakshasa then asked the flaming element, 'Tell me, O Agni, whose wife this woman rightfully is. Thou art the mouth of the gods, therefore art thou bound to answer my question. This lady of superior complexion had been first ac​cepted 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 am resolved to bear 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 myself.'"
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 in fear to return an answer. 'Thou, O god of fire,' said he, 'resident continually within every creature, as witness of their 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 thy sight. 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 Pulomā 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 in gift from desire of a 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 Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in this world.'"