Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 14

Firegod is pacified; story of Ruru

Fire-god Agni was enraged when cursed. He said, ‘Maharishi Bhrigu, what injustice this is? What was my mistake? I always strive for dharma and always utter truth impartially. Is this wrong?

When a witness is asked a question, if he tells lies despite knowing the truth, along with him 7 generations of ancestors and descendants will perish. I will not curse you, for, I revere Brahmins. Know that with the power of Yoga I manifest in homa-fires, in yagnas etc. With the offerings made in my fire, the Devatas and ancestors are appeased and hence I am addressed as their face’.

If we observe carefully, we can perceive differences between cooking fire, homa fire, crematorium fire, volcano, forest fire etc. Homa fire is very gentle. Forest fire is fiery. Flames in Ganapati homa are different from Pavamana or Sahasramodaka homa. Only through fire, food reaches Gods and ancestors.

‘By cursing me who seeks universal wellbeing you have harmed the universe. How can I, who supply food to Gods and ancestors, eat everything and turn impure? With this, good deeds will come to an end and regulated order of the universe will be hampered’. Agni then withdrew himself from all places.

Immediately cooking, homa and other activities came to a halt. Without heat and fire living being were tormented. In great agitation the Maharishis sought protection in Brahma. Brahma said,
‘Agni, just as Sun’s rays purify everything, everything burnt in your flames will obtain purity. Even after burning everything you will remain pure. Bhrigu’s curse will not go in vain. Your purity is also not lost. You are the foremost among pure and worthy beings.’

Agni was pleased. Freed from curse, he began to glow brightly. All deeds resumed in the world.

Maharishi Suta said, ‘O Shounaka, the couple Sukanya-Cyavana had a son Pramati who, through celestial maiden Ghrtachi had a son Ruru. The couple Ruru-Pramadvara had a son Sunaka. As son of Sunaka, you got the name Shounaka. I will narrate Ruru’s story.

Sthulakesha was a great, learned rishi always engaged in penance and who sought the wellbeing of all entities. In that era, pandits were never selfish. Universal wellbeing was their only goal.

Gandharva Vishwavasu and apsara Menaka had a daughter. Menaka left the daughter near Sthulakesha’s ashram and vanished. Pitying the girl, Sthulakesha raised her as his daughter. She was Pramadvara. In beauty, qualities and intelligence she was unsurpassed.

Ruru once saw her and was fascinated. He informed his father Pramati of his desire to marry her. Pramati and Sthulakesha agreed on the alliance. An auspicious day was fixed for the wedding.

A few days prior to the wedding, Pramadvara who was playing with friends suddenly died due to snake bite. Her father Sthulakesha and many other Maharishis wept at her death. Ruru was totally shattered. He wept so bitterly that it appeared even rocks would melt.

‘Is there none to save my beloved? O doctors, please revive her’- he wailed. ‘If I have conducted many charities, performed penance, worshipped Gurus diligently, then with my merit may she come back to life. If from the moment of my birth I have controlled my senses, if I have properly abided by Brahmacharya, if I have unflinching devotion towards Lord Srikrishna then may she come back to life’- he wailed.

Suddenly a celestial messenger arrived and said, ‘Ruru, her lifespan has ended. Do not lament. But I will give a plan. If you follow my instructions, she will come back to life right now’. Ruru was excited.

The messenger said, ‘Give her half your lifespan’. Ruru immediately offered it.

The messenger then, along with Gandharva Vishwavasu, went to Lord Yama and prayed to him. Lord Yama said, ‘With half of Ruru’s lifespan may Pramadvara come back to life’.

Instantly Pramadvara got up and sat. Everyone was delighted. Ruru and Pramadvara were married. But Ruru could not forget the harm done by snakes to his beloved. He was filled with revenge. With a stick in his hand he walked around the forests killing all snakes.

One day when he was thus wandering, he saw a two-headed snake belonging to the Dundhuba species. Just as he was about to hit it, the snake spoke to him.