much delighted and resolved. O good sage, to bear her away who was so blameless in every respect.
"My design is accomplished," said the Rakshasa, and so seizing that beautiful matron he carried her away. And, indeed, she of agreeable smiles bad been betrotbed by her father himself, to bim, although the former subsequently bestowed her, according to due rites, on Bhrigu, O thou of the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the Rakshasa's mind and he thought the present moment a very good opportunity for carrying the lady away.
"And the Rakshasa saw in the apartment in which the sacrificial fire was kept burning brightly. The Rakshasa then asked the flaming element. "Tell me, O Agni, whose wife this woman rightfully is. Thou art the mouth of gods, therefore thou art bound to answer my question. This lady of superior complexion had been first accepted by me as wife, but ber father subsequently bestowed ber on the false Bhrigu. Tell me truly if this fair one can be regarded as the wife of Bhrigu, for having found her alone, I have resolved to bear away by force from the hermitage. My heart burneth with rage when I reflect that Bhrigu hath got possession of this woman of slender waist, first betrothed to myself."
Sauti continued :-"In this manner the Rakshasa asked the flaming, god of fire again and again whether the lady was Bhrigu's wife. And the god was afraid to return an answer. 'Thou, O god of fire, said he, residest continually within every creature, as witness of their merits and demerits. O thou respected one, then answer my question truly. Has not Bhrigu appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife ? Thou shouldst declare truly whether, therefore she is my wife by first choice. After thy answer as to whether she is the wife of Bhrigu, I will bear her away from this bermitage even in sight of thee. Therefore answer thou truly.'"
Sauti continued :-"The Seven-flamed god having heard these words of the Rakshasa became exceedingly distressed, being afraid of telling a falsehood and equally afraid of Bhrigu's curse. And the god at length made aoswer in words that came out slowly. "This Puloma was, indeed, first chosen by thee, O Rakshasa, but she was not taken by thee with holy cites and invocations. But this far-famed lady was bestowed by her father on Bhrigu as a gift from desire of blessing. She was not bestowed on thee! O Rakshasa, this lady was duly made by the Rishi Bhrigu his wife with Vedic rites in my presence. This is she-I know her. I dare not speak a falsehood. O thou best of the Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in this world.'"
