With reverence, the assembled sages spoke among themselves, “He speaks only truth, is devoted to self-restraint, is ascetic, and steadfast in his vows. He is honored by us all—let us await his arrival.” And so, they agreed that when the teacher was seated upon the highly revered seat, only then would they address him, answering whatever questions he, the best among the twice-born, might ask. “So be it,” they said. When that great-souled teacher was finally seated, I will recount the sacred stories of various kinds that he inquired about. That foremost of Brahmins, having performed all his prescribed duties, satisfied the gods with offerings, the ancestors with libations of water, and the sages with words of praise, then departed. In that sacred place, where the Brahmarshis and Siddhas—steadfast in their vows—sat comfortably together, the assembly gathered for the sacrifice, with Sauti seated before them. When the officiating priests and all members of the assembly had taken their seats, the householder too sat down. Then Shaunaka, the learned sage, spoke these words: “O dear one, your father once studied the entire Purana in times past, and all the Mahabharata from Krishna Dvaipayana. I trust that you too have studied all this, O son of Romaharshana. For within the Purana are told divine stories and the 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. What was once properly studied by the best and noblest Brahmins—by the foremost sage Vaishampayana and others—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, by Indra, the seers, and the Maruts. The illustrious Bhrigu lineage, celebrated 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 Puranas: the great sage Bhrigu, the blessed one, was created by Brahma, the self-born. It is said that 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; and 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. 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. At one point, 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, was welcomed by the beautiful woman with offerings of wild fruits and roots. O Brahman, seeing her, the demon—overwhelmed by desire—became joyful and wished to take the blameless woman. Desiring to carry her away, he said, “She was once chosen by me,” for the pure-smiling woman had previously been sought by Puloma. O descendant of Bhrigu, this sin constantly dwelled 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 questioned the sacred 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—then declare the truth, for I wish to take her from the hermitage. Anger burns my heart here, as if consuming it. If Bhrigu has taken my former wife, the fair-waisted one, without my consent, today I will carry her away from the hermitage.” Thus, the demon repeatedly questioned the blazing Jātavedas, doubting whether she was Bhrigu’s wife. “O Agni, you always dwell within all beings; as a witness to virtue and vice, speak the truth, O wise one. My former wife was taken by Bhrigu, who acted falsely. If this is so, you must declare the truth to me. Having heard from you that she is Bhrigu’s wife, I will take her from the hermitage. O Jātavedas, speak a truthful word to me, as you see fit.” Hearing these words, the seven-flamed Agni became distressed: “If I speak the truth, I may be cursed by the knower of Brahman. If I speak falsely, I will surely fall into hell.” Fearing both falsehood and curse, he quietly replied, “She is Bhrigu’s. You had previously chosen Puloma’s daughter, O child of the Dānavas; but was she chosen by you before, according to the prescribed rite and with proper mantras? But Puloma’s illustrious daughter was given by her father to Bhṛgu; her father, renowned and noble, did not give her to you, moved by desire for a better match.