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Mahabharata
Pauloma Parva
Introduction of the Story. Dialogue Between Pauloma and Agni. Birth of Chyavana, Bhrigu's curse on Agni. Agni Freed from Curse. Story of Ruru. Dialogue Between Ruru and Dundubha. Story of Dundubha.
Lomaharshana's son Ugrashrava Sauti, well-read in the Puranas, being present at the twelve years' sacrifice of Kulapati Shaunaka in the forest of Naimisha, stood before the Rishis in attendance.
Having read the Puranas with great pains he was very learned in them. Now with joined hands he addressed them thus, "What, Reverend Sirs, do you wish to hear? What am I to relate?"
The Rishis replied, "O son of Lomaharshana, we shall ask you and you will relate to us, who are anxious to hear, some excellent stories.
But noble Kulapati Shaunaka is now engaged in the room of the holy fire.
He knows the divine stories relating to the Devas and Asuras. He also knows the stories relating to men, Nagas and Gandharvas.
O Sauti, that Kulapati Brahmana is the chief in this sacrifice; he is able, faithful to his vows, wise and a master of the Shastras and Aranyakas.
He is truthful a lover of peace, a Rishis of hard austerities and an observe of the ordained penances. He is respected by all of us and we should, therefore, wait for him.
When he will sit on the highly honoured seat for the preceptor, you will reply to what best of the twice bom will ask you.
Sauti said :
So be it. When the noble Rishi will be seated, I shall relate sacred stories relating to variety of subjects as I shall be asked by him.
The best of Brahmanas (Shaunaka) after having performed all his Prayers and the Pitris by offering water, came back to the place of sacrifice where Sauti was seated before the assembly of Rishis of rigid vows.
When Shaunaka was seated in the midst of Ritvikas and Sadasyas who also had come to their places, Sauti spoke as follows.
Shaunaka said:
Your father read the whole of the Puranas in the days of yore. 0 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.
Which was also studied by my father, has been acquired by me. Hear with all attention, 0 descendant of the Bhrigu race, the history of your race, respected by Indra and all the celestial, all the Rishis and the Marutas. In this great race the great and blessed Rishi Bhrigu was bom.
I shall properly relate, 0 great Rishi, the history of this race, as it is in the Puranas. We are told that great Bhrigu was begotten by self-existing 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. 0 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:
0 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 Pauloma) 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.
0 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, 0 descendant of the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the heart of the Rakshasa.
He thought this was a very good opportunity to carry the lady away. Them he entered into the room of the holy fire where it was brightly burning.
The Rakshasa asked the burning fire, "0 Agni! tell me whose rightful wife this lady is.
You, 0 Agni, is the mouth of celestial; tell me, I ask you. This beautiful lady was formerly betrothed to me;
But her father subsequently gave her to the vile 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.
"0 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 before 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:
"0 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. 0 best of Rakshasa, falsehood is never respected in this world.
Sauti said:
O Brahman, having heard these words of Agni, the Rakshasa assumed the form of a boar and carried her away as fast as the wind or the mind.
The child, of Bhrigu, who was in her womb, was very much enraged at this violence and he dropped down from his mother's womb, For this reason he got the name of Chyavana.
On seeing that the child had dropped from her mother's womb as shinning as the sun, he quitted the grasp of the lady. But he fell down and was burnt to ashes.
O descendant of Bhrigu, the beautiful Puloma, being afflicted with grief, took up her child Chyavana and walked away.
The Grandfather of all beings, Brahma himself saw the faultless wife of Bhrigu weeping with eyes full of tears.
The Grandfather of all beings, noble Brahma consoled his own daughter-in-law (Puloma) and a great river was formed from the tears that fell from her eyes.
The river followed the foot-steps of the wife of the great Rishi Bhrigu; and the Grandfather of the worlds seeing, it follow the path of his son's wife, named it himself. He called it Vadhusara and it passed by the hermitage of Chyavana.
In this way was bom Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu of great power. And Bhrigu saw his son Chyavana and his beautiful mother. He asked his wife Puloma in a rage.
Bhrigu said :
Who made you known to the Rakshasa resolved to carry you away? O lady of captivating smiles, he could not (himself) know you to be my wife.
Tell me who it was that told the Rakshasa of you, so that I may curse him from anger.
Puloma said :
0 Lord, I was made known to the Rakshasa by Agni. He carried me away weeping like the Kurari.
I was rescued only by the extraordinary brightness of your son. The Rakshasa quitted his grasp and falling to the ground, was turned into ashes.
Sauti said:
Having heard this from Puloma Bhrigu became exceedingly angry and out of anger he cursed Agni, saying, "Be an all devouring (element).
Thus being cursed by Bhrigu. Agni said in anger, "What do you mean, Brahmana, by this rashness that you have shown towards me."
What transgression is committed by me, who tried to do justice and to speak the truth impartially? Being asked, I told the truth.
A witness, who being asked about a thing which he knows, says something else than what it (really) is, ruins his ancestors and descendants, both to the seventh generations.
He, who, knowing a thing full well, does not disclose what he knows when asked is undoubtedly tainted with sin.
I can also curse you, but Brahmanas are held in respect by me. Although, O Brahmana, these are known to you, I shall yet speak them to you. Please attend.
Having multiplied myself by Yoga power, I am present in many forms. (I am present) in the Agnihotra, Yoga, in Kama and in other sacrifices.
The Devas and Pitris appear from the ghee that is poured in my flame, according to the ordinances of the Vedas.
The Devas are waters, the Pitris are also waters. The Devas have equal rights with the Pitris to perform the sacrifices, with the Pitris to perform the sacrifices, called Darshas and Paurnamasas.
Therefore the Devas are the Pitris and the Pitris are the Devas. They are identical beings and they are also separately worshipped at Parvas (changes of the moon).
The Devas and the Pitris eat what is poured upon me. I am. therefore, called the mouth of the Devas and the Pitris.
At the new-moon the Pitris and at the full-moon the Devas are fed through my mouth with the ghee that is poured on me. Being their mouths, how can I be the eater of all things?"
Sauti said:
After reflecting for some time, Agni withdrew himself from all places in the world. (he withdrew himself) from the Agnihotra of the twice-bom, from other ceremonies.
Being deprived of Oms and Vashats, of Svadhas and Svahas, all creatures became very much distressed for want of fire.
Thereupon the Rishis went to the celestial in great anxiety and addressed them thus, "O immaculate beings, the three worlds have been confounded at the cessation of their sacrifices and ceremonies for the loss of fire. Therefore, be pleased to do the needful. There should not be any loss of time." The celestial and the Rishis then went together before the great Brahma.
They told him all about the curse on Agni and consequent interruption of all ceremonies. They said, "O Mahabhaga, Agni has been cursed by Bhrigu for some reason.
How is it possible for Agni, who is the mouth of the celestial, who eats the first part of what is offered in sacrifice, who eats also the sacrificial ghee to become the eater of everything promiscuously?"
The creator of the world having heard all this, called Agni to his presence. He said, to Agni, who is eternal like him and who is creator of all, in gentle words.
"You are the master of all creatures, you are their destroyer, you preserve the three words, you are also the promoter of all sacrifices and ceremonies,
Therefore act in a way, so that world's ceremonies are not interrupted. O the eater of sacrificial ghee, you being the Lord of all, how have become so foolish?
You are always pure in the Universe, you are the stay of all creatures. You shall not be the eater of all thing with all your body,
O deity of flames. Only the flames, that are in the vilest part of your body, will eat all things alike and the part of your body which eats will also eat all things. As all thing become pure, touched by the sunbeams,
So will everything be pure that will be burnt in your flames. O Agni, you are the supreme energy, born of your own power.
By that power, make the Rishi's curse true. Continue to receive your portion and that of the celestial offered into your mouth."
Sauti said:
Agni then replied to the Grandfather, "Be it so" and he went away to obey the command of the Parameshthi (Supreme Lord).
The Rishis and the celestial also in great delight returned to the place whence they went. And the Rishis continued to perform their ceremonies and sacrifices as before.
The celestial in heaven and all creatures on earth were exceedingly rejoiced; and Agni too was rejoiced, because he became free from the curse.
Thus in the days of yore, O possessor of the six attributes, was Agni cursed by Bhrigu, Such is the ancient history founded thereon, which contains the account of the destruction of Puloma and the birth of Chyavana.
Sauti said:
O Brahmana, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu beget a son on his wife, named Sukanya. And son of Sukanya was the illustrious and the resplendently energetic Pramati.
Pramati begot a son called Ruru on Ghritachi. Ruru begot a son called Sunaka on his wife, Pramadvara.
I shall tell you at length, O Brahmana, the history of the resplendently energetic Ruru. Listen to it in detail.
In the days of yore, there was a Rishi, named Sthulakesha, who was possessed of ascetic powers and learning and engaged in doing good to all creatures.
At this time, Brahmana Rishi, Menaka became quick with child by the king of the Gandharvas, named Vishvavasu.
O Descendant of Bhrigu, the Apsara Menaka, when the time came, delivered her child near the hermitage of Sthulakesha.
And, O Brahmana, the cruel and shameless Apsara Menaka, after dropping the child on the banks of the river, went away.
The great Rishi saw the girl lying forsaken in a lonely place on the banks of the river, blazing in beauty; she was as beautiful as a child of an immortal. And the great Brahmana, Sthulakesha, the chief of Munis, finding it a female child.
Out of compassion, took it home and brought it up. The lovely child grew up in the hermitage of the great Rishi.
The great Rishi, the blessed Sthulakesha, performed for her in succession all the ceremonies with that of her birth, as ordained in the Shastras.
As the surpassed all others in beauty in goodness and in every good quality, the great Rishi gave her the name of Pramadvara.
Ruru saw her in the hermitage and the pious man fell in love with her.
He made his father Pramati, the son of Bhrigu, acquainted with his love through his companions. Thereupon Pramati asked the illustrious Sthulakesha to give Pramadvara to his son.
The Rishi betrothed Pramadvara to Ruru, fixing the day of marriage when the star Bhaga Daivata would be in ascendant.
A few days before the date fixed for the nuptials, while the lovely girl was playing with her companions.
Her time having come and impelled by Fate, she trod upon a snake. She did not perceive it, as it lay coiled.
The snake, to fulfil the will of Fate, stang the heedless girl with its venomous fangs.
Stung by the snake, she suddenly fell senseless on the ground with her colour faded and all her beauties gone.
He hair dishevelled, a spectacle of woe to her friends and companions. She, who was so handsome when alive, became in death what was too painful to look at.
The slender-waisted girl, as she lay on the ground as one asleep, looked more beautiful than she was when alive.
Her father and other ascetics, who were present, saw her lying motionless on the ground with the beauty of a lily.
Then there came all the noted Brahmanas, filled with compassion. Svastyatreya, Mahajanu, Kushika, Shankhamekhala.
Uddalaka, Katha and the renowned Shveta, Bharadvaja, Kaunakutsya, Arshtisena, Goutama,
Pramati and Pramati's son Rum and other inhabitants of the forest were filled with compassion and they all wept when they saw the maiden lying on the ground overcome by the poison of the snake. And Ruru, being exceedingly pained, left the scene.
Sauti replied;
While the noble Brahmanas were sitting round the dead body, Ruru, much aggrieved, retired into a deep forest and swept aloud.
Overwhelmed with grief, he indulged in much piteous lamentations. Remembering his beloved Pramadvara, he thus lamented in grief,
"Alas! The slender-bodied beauty who increase my grief, is now lying on the bare ground. What can be more painful than this to all her friends!
If ever have I bestowed charity, if ever have I observed penances, if ever have I showed respect to my superiors, let the merits of these acts restore to life my beloved one.
If ever have I controlled my passions from my birth, if ever have I stuck to my vows, let the beautiful Pramadvara rise from the ground."
While he was thus lamenting in sorrow for the loss of his bride a heaven's messenger came to him in the forest and addressed him thus:
The Devaduta said :
O Ruru, the words that you are uttering in grief can have no effect; for, O noble-minded (Rishi), one belonging to this world, whose days are run out, cannot come back to life again.
This poor child of the Gandharva and the Apsara has her days run out; therefore, O child, do not give yourself up to grief.
The great deities, however, have provided beforehand a means. If you comply with it, you may get back your Pramadvara.
Ruru said :
0 messenger of heaven, (tell me) what means have been provided beforehand by the deities. Tell me in full, so that I may comply with it. You should save me.
The Devaduta said :
O Descendant of Bhrigu, give up half of your own life to your bride and ORuru, your Pramadvara will then rise from the ground.
Ruru said :
Obest of heaven's messengers, I give up half of my life to my bride. Let my beloved one rise in the dress and the form of love.
Sauti said :
The king of the Gandharvas and the greatly qualified messenger of heaven, both went to the Deity Dharma and addressed him thus :
"O king Dharma, if it please you, let the beautiful bride of Ruru, Pramadvara, rise up endued with a moiety of Ruru's life."
The Dharmaraja said :
"O messenger of heaven, if it be your wish, let the bride of Ruru Pramadvara, rise up endued with a moiety of Ruru's life.
Sauti said :
When Dharma thus spoke, the beautiful Pramadvara, the betrothed bride of Ruru, rose up as from a slumber.
It was seen afterwards that the bestowal of a moiety of his own life to resuscitate his bride by Ruru of long life, led to a curtailment of his own life.
Thereupon their fathers gladly married them with due rites and the couple passed their days devoted to each other.
Thus having obtained a wife, difficult to be obtained, who was beautiful and bright as the filaments of the lotus, the Rishi of hard austerities (Ruru) made a vow to destroy the serpent race.
Whenever he saw a snake, he was filled with great anger and he always killed it with a weapon.
One day, O Brahmana, Ruru entered into a very large forest. He saw an old Dundubha
snake lying on the ground.
Thereupon with the intention of killing it, Ruru raised his staff in anger, A staff like the staff of Death. The Dundubha then said to the angry Brahmana.
"O Rishi, I have done you no harm. Why should you kill me in anger?"
Ruru said:
My wife, who was as dear to me as my life, was stung by a snake; on which I took, O snake, a fearful vow;
Namely that I would kill every snake that I might meet with. Therefore I shall strike you and you shall be deprived of your life.
The Dundubha said:
O Brahmana, there are other snakes which bite man. The Dundubhas are only snakes in name. Therefore, you should not kill the Dundubhas.
Subject to the same, calamity but not sharing the same good fortune, being same in woe, but different in joy, you should not kill the Dundubhas, for you cannot judge between right and wrong.
Sauti said :
Hearing those words of the snake and seeing that the snake was really of the Dundubha kind and that it was terribly frightened. Ruru did not kill it.
Then Ruru, the possessor of six attributes, cheering up the snake, said to it, "Who are you, tell me, O snake, that have been thus metamorphosed?"
The Dundubha said :
O Ruru, I was formerly a Rishi, named Shahasrapata. It is by the curse of a Brahmana that I have become a snake.
Ruru said:
O best of snakes, why were you cursed by an angry Brahmana? And how long will your this body continue?
The Dundubha said:
In time gone by, I had a friend, a Brahmana, by name Khagama. He was truthful and possessed spiritual powers by penances.
When he was engaged in Agnihotra, out of boyish frivolity, I made a snake of the blades of grass and tried to frighten him. He fainted away (when he saw this mock snake).
Recovering his senses, that truthful and penance-performing Rishi exclaimed in anger.
"As you made a powerful mock snake to frighten me, you will yourself turn into a venomless serpent by my curse."
O Rishi, I was well aware of the power of penances that he possessed. Therefore, with an agitated heart, I addressed him thus,
Bending low and join both hands. As I am your friend, I have done this only as a joke to make you laugh.
You should, O Brahmana, pardon me and revoke your curse." Seeing me very much distressed, the ascetic was moved and breathing hot and hard, he said, What I have said must happen.
O ascetic, listen to what I say and hearing it, O pious man, always lay it to your heart.
When Ruru the holy, the son of Pramati will appear, you will be immediately relieved of the curse on seeing him."
You are the very Ruru, the son of Pramati. Now regaining my natural form I shall speak something for your benefit.
Souti said :
That illustrious man and the best of Brahmanas then left his snake-body and attained own form and original brightness
He then addressed Ruru of incomparable power, saying, "0 best of beings, the highest morality is Not to destroy Life.
Therefore, a Brahmana should never take the life of any creature. The injunction of the Shruti is that a Brahmana should always be mild.
Learned in the Vedas and the Vedangas and an inspirer of confidence in all creatures, kind to all, truthful and forgiving.
And a great retainer of the Vedas in memory, these are the natural duties of a Brahmana. The natural duties of Kshatriya are not those of yours.
To be stern, to hold scents, to rule the subjects, are the natural duties of the Kshatriya. Listen to me, O Rurn.
In days of yore, the snakes were destroyed in the sacrifice of Janamejaya, but the terrified snakes were saved by a Brahmana.
It was by Astika learned in the Vedas and the Vedangas and mighty in spiritual power.
Ruru said :
0 best of the twice-born, why did king Janamejaya become the destroyer of the snakes and how did he destroy them?
Why were they saved by wise Astika, the best of Brahmanas? I am desirous of hearing
all this.
Rishi said:
0 Ruru, you will hear the important history of Astika from the Brahmanas. Saying this he disappeared.
Sauti said :
Ruru rushed in search of the Rishi, but he did not find him in all the forest. Finding him not, lie sat down on the ground, much fatigued.
He felt himself confounded and seemed to lose his senses. He repeatedly pondered over the Rishi's words.
Regaining his senses, he came home and asked his father (to relate the history) and his father related to him the story.
End of PAULOMA PARVA
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