Curse on Fire god (Agni)

MahaBharata

Adi Parva Section IV, V, VI, VII-- Pauloma parva

Ugrasrava Sauti, son of Lomarshana having recited the story of Utanka, asks the Rishis assembled in naimisharanya, what more they wish to listen. They wait for Rishi Saunaka to complete his Yajna and be seated. Saunaka asks Sauti, "Tell me about Bhrigu and his son Chyavana, and how his name came to be Chyavana". Saunaka belongs to the lineage of Bhrigu.

Saint Bhrigu had a wife Puloma, who became pregnant with his child. When Bhrigu was away, a Rakshasa came and seized the lady. Rakshasa saw the sacrificial fire burning in the house. He asked the fire, "Tell me , O fire, this lady was first betrothed to me by her father and then given away to Bhrigu, is she wife of bhrigu, so that I can carry her away?". Fire was afraid to speak truth as Rakshasa will carry her away and Bhrigu will curse him, and Fire is also afraid to tell a lie. Fire resides in the heart of every creature as witness to their merits and demerits. It cannot tell a lie. After lot of time, Fire replies "This lady is indeed wife of Bhrigu, she was indeed betrothed first to you, but you have not taken her by holy rituals, whereas Bhrigu has taken her with holy rites in my presence. I cannot dare to speak falsehood, because falsehood is not respected in the world."

Rakshasa assumed form of boar and carried away with speed exceeding that of thought. At this violence, child of Bhrigu dropped from the womb of mother Puloma. Rakshasa on seeing the brilliance of boy has turned into ashes. Thus the child is named as Chyavana. Puloma cried with anguish and a river was formed with her tears. Brahma named that river 'Vadhusara'.

Bhrigu gets enraged on return and asks his wife , who identified you as my wife ?, and on finding out that it is agni, Bhrigu curses Agni "You shall eat of all things".

Agni became distressed on hearing that he has to eat both unclean and clean things. He replies to Bhrigu, "Why did you curse me, I am the mouth of gods, and pitrs. Every new moon day Pitrs will eat through me and every full moon, gods eat through me, How can I eat unclean things?". Agni withdrew from the world. All the activities of the world came to a stop. The people went to the Creator Brahma and explained him the situation. Brahma summons Agni and grants him a boon, "Just as Sun rays are not tainted by touching unclean things, anything gets purified by the touch of Agni".

End of section VII of Pauloma parva.