01.008
Library:Pramadvara is engaged to Ruru but dies due to snake bite.
Sūta said:
And he, Cyavana, of the Bhṛgu dynasty, O Brahman, also begot a son, the great soul Pramati, of blazing energy, in Sukanyā.
Pramati begot Ruru named in Ghritachi. But Ruru begot Shunaka in Pramadvara.
I shall narrate in detail all the deeds of the Brahman sage of great splendor; listen to that completely.
The sage was great, formerly endowed with austerity and knowledge. Known as Sthūlakeśa, he was engaged in the welfare of all beings.
At this very time, O sage, Viśvāvasu, the king of Gandharvas, was born in Menakā, as is heard.
Then the nymph Menaka, O son of Bhrigu, released that embryo in due time towards the hermitage of Sthulakesha.
Having abandoned that embryo on the bank of the river, she indeed went. The girl, like a divine embryo, was shining with beauty.
The great sage with thick hair, radiant, saw her abandoned on the riverbank, in solitude, devoid of relatives.
Then, having seen the girl, Sthulakesha, the best of the twice-born, took her. The best of sages, filled with compassion, nourished her. She grew beautiful and auspicious in his hermitage.
She, the best among women, endowed with all forms and qualities, was then named Pramadvara by the great sage.
In the hermitage, having seen Pramadvara, Ruru indeed became virtuous and overcome by love.
Bhārgava then caused his father to read with friends. Pramati, having heard, approached the glorious Sthūlakeśa.
Then the father gave his daughter Pramadvara to Ruru, having arranged the marriage in front under the constellation presided by Bhaga.
Then, at the marriage which took place after a few days, she, the maiden of excellent complexion, was present, playing together with her friends.
He did not see the serpent lying across, and trampled it with his foot, desiring to die, impelled by time.
He, urged by fate, violently inflicted poison-coated teeth on her careless body.
She, bitten, suddenly fell on the ground unconscious, lifeless, unpleasant to look at, even though most beautiful in form.
She appeared as if asleep, afflicted by snake poison on the ground. Again, she became more charming, slender-waisted.
The father and other ascetics saw her struggling, fallen on the ground with lotus-like radiance.
Then all the best of the twice-born, compassionate, assembled: Svastyātreya, Mahājānu, Kuśika, and Śaṅkhamekhala.
Bharadvaja, Kaunakutsa, Arstishena, and Gautama; Pramati with his son, and other forest dwellers.
Seeing her, your daughter, lifeless and afflicted by the serpent's poison, they cried, overcome with compassion. Ruru, indeed distressed, went outside.
