Shloka 23
भृगुवंश-प्रस्तावना तथा पुलोमा–अग्नि-संवादः
Bhrigu Lineage Preface and the Pulomā–Agni Dialogue
मुखं त्वमसि देवानां वद पावक पृच्छते । मया हीयं वृता पूर्व भार्यार्थे वरवर्णिनी,“पावक! तुम देवताओंके मुख हो। अतः मेरे पूछनेपर ठीक-ठीक बताओ। पहले तो मैंने ही इस सुन्दरीको अपनी पत्नी बनानेके लिये वरण किया था
mukhaṁ tvam asi devānāṁ vada pāvaka pṛcchate | mayā hīyaṁ vṛtā pūrvaṁ bhāryārthe varavarṇinī ||
“You are the mouthpiece of the gods; therefore, O Pāvaka, speak truly in answer to my question. For it was I who first chose this fair-complexioned maiden to be my wife.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical speech and accountability: Agni, as the ‘mouth of the gods’ and a divine witness, is urged to speak accurately. It also frames marriage as a matter requiring truthful testimony and rightful claim, not mere desire.
Śaunaka addresses Pāvaka (Agni), invoking his divine status to demand a clear answer. He asserts that he had previously chosen the beautiful maiden for marriage, implying a dispute or clarification about her rightful marital claim.