THE EPIC THROUGH MY EYES

I hope you all remember that in the previous blog ---Puloma- the beautiful—I told about how the Bharagavas came into being.This is a continuation of the episode. Chavana, Bhrigu’s son married Sukanya. Pramati was born to them. He  in turn fathered Ruru and the boy grew up to be a famous hermit. Rishi Sthulakesa was a contemporary sage who not only possessed great ascetic powers but also was well known for his humanitarian approach to life. Now, there was another king- the king of the Gandharvas- Viswavasu,who had an affair with Maneka, the ravishing Apsara of those times. In due time Maneka gave birth to a beautiful girl child and abandoned her near the hermitage of Rishi Sthulakesa. The rishi took pity upon the hapless being,brought her home and reared her with great love and care. The girl was named Pramadvara. She grew up to be an exceedingly beautiful and virtuous woman. A chance encounter at the hermitage of Sthulakesa brought Ruru and Pramadvara together. Ruru was just bo

        Agni groaned in misery. He said,’’I was asked and I abided by the truth. I never wanted to besmirch your wife's reputation. I never solicited on my own to venture into unpleasant territory. I can also curse you Bhrigu,but you are a Brahmin. And you know  very well that I hold Brahmanas in high esteem.  I am ubiquitous. I exist  there where the holy rites are performed. The sacrifices that are made on my fire appease the Devas and Pitris.They have an equal right to the sacrifices  made for me. I am their mouth,how can I defile my mouth with  dirt and filth?’’ Agni  reflected for a while and withdrew from all places. Things were not the same in his absence. The world ran amok without him.He was absent from the daily yajnas of the Brahmins,from all the holy and sacred places.   The rishis became worried at the turn of events.They  accompanied  the Devas as the group approached Brahma looking for a solution to their problem.They said,’’ Dear Father, our world has come to