PULOMA--THE BEAUTIFUL

A QUICK RECAP---Sauti,the son of Lomaharsana was narrating stories from the Mahabharata  in the august company of the learned sages of those times.  After finishing with the story of Utanka,he again asked Maharshi Saunaka  and the others,’’What now sir?What do you wish to hear now?’’To this the Maharsi replied,’’Recount the history of the clan of Bhrigu, and we will attentively listen to you.’’

{Here I would like to add that the race of Bhrigu, or the descendants of Maharshi Bhrigu  are the modern Bhargava Brahmins who reside mostly in North India}

Thus Sauti began his story.

When Brahma was conducting a yajna for Varuna, Bhrigu emerged from the sacred fire. He was thought to be one of the manasputras of Brahma. In due time the  son of Brahma grew up and was married to Puloma renowned for her extraordinary beauty. 

Bhrigu loved his wife dearly. Puloma was also madly in love with her husband. One morning, when Puloma was heavy with child, Bhrigu went out to a nearby river to perform his ablutions. A demon named Puloman entered the ashrama of Bhrigu at that moment. He was awestruck at the sight of the beautiful Puloma. Puloma was betrothed to him previously but her father had married her off to Bhrigu. The rakhshas was overcome with lust. As he saw Agni, the fire, burning brightly in Bhrigu’s ashrama, he went and asked him, ‘’You are the mouthpiece of the Gods. Tell me the truth. Wasn’t  I supposed to marry this beauty when her father bestowed her on Bhrigu? My heart burns with rage when the mere thought that Bhrigu possesses her  crosses my mind.’’

   Agni  became exceedingly distressed on hearing this question. He had to tell the truth, but at the same time he was afraid of Bhrigu’s reaction. In a measured tone he answered,’’Indeed,Puloma was your chosen one,but she was never taken by you with holy rites and invocations.Her father married her off  to Bhrigu in my presence with all Vedic rites.”

Hearing this ,Puloman changed to a boar and abducted the ravishing beauty.He started running with her on his back at breakneck speed. Puloma became so terrified at this suddden development that she gave birth to her son who fell on the ground. When the rakshas saw the boy shining like the sun,he fell down  on the ground and was instantly transformed  to ashes. This child was called Chavana. Puloma felt very miserable and large drops of tear welled up out of her beautiful eyes.The tear drops formed a mighty river.Brahma was filled with compassion at the sight, he offered kind words to the wife of his son and named the river Vadhusara.

 When Bhrigu saw his devastated wife and bonny child, he was overcome by a fit of rage. He thundered,’’Who disclosed your identity to the demon?’’Puloma answered that it was Agni who was forced to reveal  the truth.

Bhrigu cursed,’’From now on Agni,you will eat anything and everything that comes your way.’’