The Mahābhārata, vast and immeasurable, auspicious and pure, emerged from the lips of the sage Dvaipāyana. Its recitation brings blessings so profound that those who truly comprehend its teachings have no need for ritual ablutions in the sacred waters of Puṣkara, for the Mahābhārata itself cleanses the soul. If a brāhmaṇa commits sins during the day through his senses, reciting the Mahābhārata at evening twilight frees him from those faults. If he errs at night, whether by deed, thought, or speech, reciting the Mahābhārata at morning twilight purifies him anew. The merit gained by gifting a hundred cows with golden horns to a learned brāhmaṇa versed in the Vedas equals the merit of daily listening to the sacred Bhārata. This supreme, great narrative, with its vast collection of parvas, is a source of happiness for all who hear it, just as a sturdy raft enables one to cross the wide, salty sea. In the midst of a sacrificial gathering, the Purāṇika, having labored deeply in the Purāṇas, addressed the assembly with joined palms: “I have told the story of Uttanka, which was recounted as a secondary episode at Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice. What would you like to hear next? What shall I narrate?” The sages replied, “We shall speak to you, O Raumaharṣaṇa, and you will answer us. Let us, eager to listen, engage in narration together.” There, venerable Śaunaka, head of the family, sat near the fire sanctuary. He said, “Because this is a long sacrificial session, there is ample time to hear all the stories.” Śaunaka was learned in divine tales of gods and asuras, and all stories of humans, serpents, and gandharvas. In that assembly, the wise family head, a twice-born brāhmaṇa, steadfast in vows and intelligent, was a teacher in both scriptures and forest tradition. He spoke truth, was devoted to self-restraint and asceticism, firm in his vows, and honored by all. The assembly awaited him. “When the teacher is seated in the highly revered seat,” they said, “then you, O best of twice-born, shall speak whatever he asks you.” Sauti, the storyteller, replied, “So be it. When that great-souled teacher was seated, I will recount the sacred stories he asks about.” The foremost brāhmaṇa, having performed all prescribed duties—satisfying the gods with offerings, the ancestors with water, and the sages with words—departed. The Brahmarshis and Siddhas, steadfast in their vows, gathered at the sacrificial place and sat comfortably, with Sauti seated before them. When the officiating priests and assembly members were seated, the householder also took his seat. Then Śaunaka spoke. He addressed Sauti: “O dear one, your father once studied the entire Purāṇa and all the Mahābhārata from Krishna Dvaipayana. I hope you too have studied all that, O son of Romaharshana. In the Purāṇa are told divine stories and ancient lineages of the wise, which we have heard before from your father. Among those, I wish first to hear of the lineage of Bhrigu; tell us this story, for we are blessed to listen to you.” Sauti replied, “What was once properly studied by the best and most noble brāhmaṇas, by the foremost sage Vaishampayana and others, and as it was told by them—and what was thoroughly learned by my father, I too have studied just as well. Now listen to that which was honored by the gods, Indra, the seers, and the Maruts. The illustrious Bhrigu lineage, honored by the gods, O descendant of Bhrigu, I will now recount to you, O great sage, the ancient Bhrigu line. I will relate it properly, as it is connected with the Purāṇas.” He began: “The great sage Bhrigu, the blessed one, was created by Brahma, the self-born. It is said he was born at the sacrifice of Varuna, from fire. Bhrigu’s beloved son was the Bhargava named Chyavana. Chyavana’s heir was Pramati, righteous in conduct. Pramati’s son, born of Ghritachi, was named Ruru. Ruru’s son was Shunaka, master of the Vedas, righteous in soul—your forefather, born of Pramadvara. He was an ascetic, renowned, learned, foremost knower of Brahman, righteous, truthful, self-restrained, and moderate in eating.” Śaunaka then asked, “O son of Suta, as the great-souled Bhargava’s transformation into Chyavana is well known, tell me of that as I ask. Bhrigu’s beloved wife, famed as Puloma, bore a child conceived from Bhrigu’s seed. When that embryo had arisen in Puloma, the illustrious Bhrigu, steadfast in his vows, was with his virtuous and faithful wife at the proper time. When Bhrigu, foremost among those who uphold dharma, had departed for his consecration, the demon Puloma approached his hermitage. Entering the hermitage and seeing Bhrigu’s blameless wife, he was seized by desire and lost his composure. Puloma, the demon, having arrived, was then welcomed by the beautiful woman with offerings of wild fruits and roots. Seeing her, the demon, overwhelmed by desire, became joyful and wished to take the blameless woman. Desiring to take the auspicious woman, he said, ‘She was once chosen by me,’ for the pure-smiling woman had previously been sought by Puloma. This sin constantly dwells in his heart. Thinking, ‘Now is my chance,’ he resolved to abduct her; then he saw the blazing fire, Jātavedas, as his refuge. The demon then questioned the blazing fire, saying, ‘Tell me truly, O Agni, whose wife is she? I ask you by truth. You are the mouth of the gods, O Pāvaka, answer my question. For this woman of excellent complexion was once chosen by me for marriage. Later, her father gave her to Bhrigu, who does not act falsely. If this beautiful woman is now Bhrigu’s wife, secluded here—’” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the ancient lineage of Bhrigu and the episode of Puloma, as told in the sacred gathering, with reverence and devotion for the wisdom passed down through generations.