Listen, O wise one, to the ancient and revered tale, honored by the gods, Indra, the seers, and the Maruts, as it was carefully learned by my father and by me in turn. Let me recount to you the illustrious lineage of Bhrigu, so esteemed among the gods, as it is told in the Purāṇas. The great sage Bhrigu, blessed and radiant, was created by Brahmā, the self-born creator. It is said that Bhrigu was born from the sacrificial fire of Varuṇa. His beloved son was Chyavana, known as the Bhārgava. Chyavana’s heir was Pramati, righteous and virtuous, and Pramati’s son, born of the celestial nymph Ghṛtācī, was named Ruru. Ruru’s son was Śunaka, master of the Vedas, noble in soul, and your own forefather, born of Pramadvarā. Śunaka was a great ascetic, renowned for his learning, foremost knower of Brahman, righteous, truthful, self-restrained, and moderate in all things. Now, as you have heard of the transformation of the great-souled Bhārgava into Chyavana, let me tell you how this came to be. Bhrigu’s beloved wife, famed as Pulomā, conceived a child by Bhrigu’s seed. When the embryo had arisen in Pulomā, Bhrigu, steadfast in his vows, was with his virtuous and faithful wife at the appointed time. One day, when Bhrigu, foremost in righteousness, had departed for his sacred rites, the demon Puloma approached the hermitage. Entering, he beheld Bhrigu’s blameless wife and was seized by desire, losing all composure. The demon Puloma was received with hospitality by the beautiful Pulomā, who offered him wild fruits and roots. But his heart, overwhelmed by longing, was set on taking the blameless woman for himself. He declared, “She was once chosen by me,” for indeed, Pulomā had been sought by this demon in the past. This sinful desire dwelled ever in his heart. Thinking, “Now is my chance,” he resolved to abduct her. But then he saw the blazing fire, Jātavedas, and sought refuge there. Puloma questioned the fire, “Tell me truly, O Agni, whose wife is she? You are the mouth of the gods—answer me by the truth. 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 she is now Bhrigu’s wife, secluded here, tell me the truth, for I wish to take her. Anger burns in my heart, as if consuming it. If Bhrigu has taken my former bride without my consent, today I will carry her away from the hermitage.” Thus, the demon persistently questioned the blazing Jātavedas, seeking certainty about Pulomā’s status. “O Agni, you dwell within all beings; as a witness to virtue and vice, speak the truth. If my former wife was taken by Bhrigu, who acted falsely, you must declare it. If you say she is Bhrigu’s wife, I will take her from the hermitage. O Jātavedas, speak a truthful word as you see fit.” Hearing these words, Agni, the seven-flamed fire, 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, Agni quietly replied, “She is Bhrigu’s. You had previously chosen Pulomā’s daughter, O child of the Dānavas, but did you choose her according to the prescribed rite and with proper mantras? Her father, noble and renowned, gave her to Bhrigu, not to you, seeking a better match. Then, following Vedic ritual, Bhrigu obtained her as his wife, with me as witness. This is the truth as I understand it; I cannot speak falsehood, for in this world truth is always honored.” Hearing Agni’s words, the Rākṣasa abandoned Pulomā, assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa and moving with the speed of thought and wind. At that moment, the embryo dwelling in the womb of noble Pulomā fell out in anger, and thus became known as Cyavana, “the fallen one.” Seeing the radiant child, shining like the sun, the Rākṣasa was instantly reduced to ashes and fell down, releasing Pulomā. Pulomā, of lovely hips, took up her son Cyavana and fled, overcome with grief. Brahmā himself, the grandsire of all worlds, beheld her—Bhrigu’s blameless wife—crying, her eyes filled with tears. The blessed grandsire Brahmā comforted the sorrowful bride, and from her teardrops a great river began to flow. That river, following the path of the ascetic wife, flowed onward, and seeing her course, the river was thus established. Then the grandsire of the worlds gave the river her name: Vadhūsarā, as she flowed toward Cyavana’s hermitage. Thus is recounted the ancient and sacred tale of the Bhārgava lineage, the trials of Pulomā, and the birth of Cyavana, as honored by gods and sages alike.