The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section VII
Section VII.
( Pauloma Parva continued. )
Sauti said:—"The god of fire enraged at the curse of Bhrigu, thus addressed the Rishi:—'What meaneth this rashness, O Brahmana, that thou hast displayed towards me? What transgression can be imputed to me who was laboring to do justice and speak the truth impartially? Being asked I gave the true answer. A witness who when interrogated respecting a fact of which he hath knowledge representeth otherwise than it is, ruineth his ancestors and descendants both to the seventh generation. He too, who, being fully informed of all the circumstances of an affair, doth not disclose what he knoweth when asked, is undoubtedly stained with guilt. I also can curse thee, but Brahmanas are held by me in high respect. Although these be known to thee, O Brahmana, I will yet speak of them, so please attend! Having by ascetic power multiplied myself, I am present in various forms, in places of the daily homa, in sacrifices extending for years, in places where holy rites are performed (such as marriage, &c.), and in other sacrifices. With the butter that is poured upon my flame according to the ordinances declared in the Vedas, the Devas and the Pitris are appeased. The Devas are the waters; the Pitris are also the waters. The Devas have with the Pitris an equal right to the sacrifices called the Darshas and Purna-mashas. The Devas therefore are the Pitris; and the Pitris, the Devas. They are identical beings, worshipped together and also separately at the 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, eating of the clarified butter that is poured on me. Being, as I am, their mouth, how am I to be an eater of all things (clean and unclean)?'
"Then Agni, after reflecting for a while, withdrew himself from all places; from places of the daily homa of the Brahmanas, from all long-extending sacrifices, from places of holy rites, and from other ceremonies. Without their Oms and Vashats, and deprived of their Swadhās and Swāhās (sacrificial mantras of great mystery), the whole body of creatures became much distressed for the loss of their (sacrificial) fire. The Rishis in great anxiety went to the gods and addressed them thus:—'Ye immaculate beings! the three regions of the universe are confounded at the cessation of their sacrifices and ceremonies in consequence of the loss of fire! Ordain what is to be done in this matter, so that there may be no loss of time.' Then the Rishis and the gods went together in the presence of Brahmā. And they represented to him all about the curse on Agni and the consequent interruption of all ceremonies. And they said, 'O thou greatly fortunate one! Agni hath been cursed by Bhrigu for some reason. Indeed, being the mouth of the gods and also the first who eateth of what is offered in sacrifices, the eater also the first who eateth of what is offered in sacrifices, the eater also of the sacrificial butter, how shall Agni be reduced to the condition of one who eateth of all things promiscuously?' And the creator of the universe hearing those words of theirs summoned Agni to his presence. And Brahmā addressed Agni the creator of all and eternal as himself in these gentle words:—'Thou art the creator of the worlds and thou art their destroyer! Thou preservest the three worlds and thou art the promoter of all sacrifices and ceremonies! Therefore behave thyself so that ceremonies be not interrupted. And O thou eater of the sacrificial butter, why dost thou act so foolishly, being as thou art the Lord of all? Thou alone art always pure in the universe and thou art its stay! Thou shalt not, with all thy body, be reduced to the state of one who eateth all things promiscuously. O thou of flames, the flame that is in thy viler parts shall alone eat of all things alike. That body of thine which eateth of flesh (being in the stomach of all carnivorous animals) shall also eat of all things promiscuously. And as every thing touched by the sun's beams becometh pure so shall everything be pure that shall be burnt by thy flames. Thou, O fire, art the supreme energy born of thy own power. Then, O Lord, by that power of thine make the Rishi's curse true. Continue to receive thy own portion and that of the gods, offered at thy mouth.'"
Sauti continued:—"Then Agni replied to the Grand-father, 'So be it.' And he then went away to obey the command of the supreme Lord. The gods and the Rishis also in delight returned to the place whence they came. And the Rishis began to perform as before their ceremonies and sacrifices. And the gods in heaven and all creatures of the world rejoiced exceedingly. And Agni too rejoiced in that he was free from the prospect of sin.
"Thus, O possessor of the six attributes, had Agni been cursed in days of yore by Bhrigu. And such is the ancient history founded thereon, the destruction of the Rakshasa Puloma, and the birth of Chyavana."
Thus endeth the seventh Section of the Pauloma of the Adi Parva of the blessed Mahabharata.