Shloka 21
भृगुवंश-प्रस्तावना तथा पुलोमा–अग्नि-संवादः
Bhrigu Lineage Preface and the Pulomā–Agni Dialogue
इदमन्तरमित्येवं हर्तु चक्रे मनस्तदा । अथाग्निशरणेडपश्यज्ज्वलन्तं जातवेदसम्,यही अच्छा मौका है, ऐसा विचारकर उसने उस समय पुलोमाको हर ले जानेका पक्का निश्चय कर लिया। इतनेहीमें राक्षसने देखा, अग्निहोत्र-गृहमें अग्निदेव प्रज्वलित हो रहे हैं
idam antaram iti evaṁ hartuṁ cakre manas tadā | athāgniśaraṇe ’paśyaj jvalantaṁ jātavedasam ||
Nghĩ rằng: “Đây là khoảng khắc thuận tiện,” hắn liền quyết tâm bắt cóc Pulomā. Đúng lúc ấy, rākṣasa trông thấy trong nơi thờ lửa tế, thần Agni đang bừng cháy—Jātavedas, chứng nhân của các nghi lễ.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adharma often arises from seizing a ‘convenient moment,’ yet the presence of Agni—the sacred fire and witness of vows and rites—symbolizes moral visibility and the protective power of dharma. Wrongdoing is not merely a private act; it stands before cosmic and ritual order.
A rākṣasa, seeing an opening, resolves to abduct Pulomā. At that very moment he notices Agni blazing in the fire-sanctuary, setting the stage for confrontation between predatory intent and the sanctity/protective force associated with the household sacred fire.