Shloka 24
भृगुवंश-प्रस्तावना तथा पुलोमा–अग्नि-संवादः
Bhrigu Lineage Preface and the Pulomā–Agni Dialogue
पश्चादिमां पिता प्रादाद् भूगवेडनृतकारक: । सेयं यदि वरारोहा भृगोर्भार्या रहोगता,“किंतु बादमें असत्य व्यवहार करनेवाले इसके पिताने भूगुके साथ इसका विवाह कर दिया। यदि यह एकान्तमें मिली हुई सुन्दरी भृगुकी भार्या है तो वैसी बात सच-सच बता दो; क्योंकि मैं इसे इस आश्रमसे हर ले जाना चाहता हूँ। वह क्रोध आज मेरे हृदयको दग्ध-सा कर रहा है; इस सुमध्यमाको, जो पहले मेरी भार्या थी, भृगुने अन्यायपूर्वक हड़प लिया है!
paścād imāṃ pitā prādād bhṛgave ’nṛtakārakaḥ | seyaṃ yadi varārohā bhṛgor bhāryā rahogatā |
Later, her father—one who acted deceitfully—gave her in marriage to Bhṛgu. If this high-born, beautiful woman whom I have found here in seclusion is indeed Bhṛgu’s wife, then tell me the truth plainly; for I intend to take her away from this hermitage. Anger burns within my heart: this slender-waisted woman, once my wife, has been unjustly seized by Bhṛgu.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical tension around marriage and rightful relationship: truthfulness (satya) is demanded to resolve a contested claim, while anger and possessiveness are shown as forces that distort judgment and can lead to adharma.
Śaunaka asserts that the woman was formerly his wife, claims her father deceitfully gave her to Bhṛgu, and demands a truthful confirmation of her status. He declares his intention to take her away from the hermitage, driven by burning anger at what he sees as Bhṛgu’s unjust appropriation.