Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 12

Arrival of demon Puloma
Irrespective of one’s position, wealth and power, he cannot abandon good deeds. Work directed by Guru has to be finished without excuse. Lack of time is no valid excuse.
Along with many saints, Maharishi Śounaka was performing a 12 year yaga when Lomaharśana’s son Ugraśravasa visited them and asked, ‘What do you seek to hear from me?’
Maharishis said, ‘O revered one! Maharishi Śounaka is engrossed in fire worship. That great saint is revered by us all. Wait till he returns. Whatever supreme subject he asks, please explain it’. Ugraśarava agreed. A little later, having worshipped Fire-god, Devatas and forefathers, Śounaka arrived, bowed to everyone and sat.
Understand that only after completing daily mandated duties, other good deeds must be performed.
Even the day Swamiji is visiting your house you have no right to stop puja or naivedya per your daily habit. Merit earned from such good deeds alone attracted Swamiji to your home. Merit earned due to good deeds of many past births has enabled you to come to Datta and Swamiji in this birth. You are here to spend that accumulated merit.
Even if Swamiji is everything to you, even if you are staying in ashram, there is no excuse from your daily pujas and prayers. ‘Busy with Swamiji’s work I did not do my puja’- remember your merit balance has depleted. When balance lessens, Swamiji does not talk to you. Just as reservoir cannot generate electricity unless there is adequate water, if your merit falls below limits there is danger. Excess puja, excess charity, there is no harm. But stopping good deeds is inacceptable.
When food and breath are not skipped, good deeds cannot be skipped. Even when hospitalized saline is given. It is also food, so you cannot skip prayers. The moment food is consumed, you are indebted to complete your daily duties.
Śounaka was a great Maharishi, yet he completed worship before coming to hear the story.
Maharishi Śounaka asked, ‘O son of Suta, I desire to hear about the Bhrigu lineage’.
Suta’s son said, ‘O descendent of Bhirgu! Bhrigu lineage is sacred and is praised by Rishis, Marutt ganas and Devatas.
Lord Brahma created Bhrigu from the homa kunda when performing homa. Bhrigu’s son was Cyavana; his son was Pramati. The righteous Pramati obtained a son Ruru from celestial maiden Ghrtachi. Ruru married Pramadvara and their son was Shunaka, who was adept in all Vedas; was very disciplined and followed all traditions. Śounaka, he is your great grandfather’.
Śounaka asked, ‘O son of Suta! How did Cyavana obtain that name?’
Suta’s son said, ‘The holy couple Bhrigu and Puloma led a very righteous life. During Puloma’s pregnancy, one day when Bhrigu had gone for a river bath leaving her alone a demon named Puloma arrived there and was filled with lust seeing her.
Bhrigu’s wife Puloma welcomed him inside and offered him flowers and fruits not realizing his wicked intent’.
Present situations are such that we cannot not allow anyone in unless we verify their documents and complete police verification. But in that era, any guest was welcomed lovingly into the home.
‘The demon was delighted to see her alone. He was waiting for the right moment. At this point we must know an important incident from her life.
When Puloma was a small girl, to stop her wails her father would frequently threaten, ‘a demon will come and carry you away’.
We frighten children saying a demon or monster will take them away. Such inauspicious words should never be used. If you have to, then say, ‘Indra will take you away’ or ‘He who has beautiful eyes, who holds conch-discus will take you away’. Our elders say that tathastu-devatas will bless ‘so be it’ for what we wish. Even jocularly names of demons must not be uttered.
‘Once demon Puloma who was hiding in their home heard these words. He concluded, ‘this girl is my wife’. Hence he awaited an opportunity to take her away.
‘Carry away’ also means ‘marry’
‘Meanwhile Puloma was married to Bhrigu and the demon did not know her whereabouts. After a long time, this day he found her and was delighted.
‘Meanwhile, Puloma’s father regretted his mistake. Worried that the demon may harass his daughter, he always prayed for her safety’.