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.’’
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